Warning Signs That Your Mac Has Malware

Table of Contents

Macs have a reputation for being virus-proof, which can cause people to be lax about their security measures. While cybercriminals develop far less malware for Mac OS than Windows, these computers are still at risk. Here are warning signs to look out for from your end users:

8 warning signs to look after if your Mac is Infected

1. Sudden Performance Drops

Workstations that have never had issues suddenly run into performance problems. End users may complain that their systems are slow, applications are crashing, and input is sluggish. Malware can take up a lot of resources and interfere with normal operations, which leads to the performance degradation.

2. Ads Everywhere

Adware places advertising everywhere it can access, which can result in pop-up windows and browsers that are practically unusable due to these disruptions.

3. XProtect Prevents File Access

If XProtect detects malware in a file, it stops the end user from opening it. When you have multiple people reaching out to you about file access issues, take a look to see if malware is the root cause.

Preventing file access by detecting malware

4. Browser's Default Search Engine Changes

Another adware related symptom is the web browser's default search engine getting switched. When the end user goes to search, they may end up using a site that's compromised by the cybercriminal. Trying to go back to the previous search engine may prove difficult, or that functionality could be entirely locked down.

5. Unexplained Website Redirects

Some malware intercepts web traffic and sends it to a different destination. The hacker may use this as part of a phishing attempt. They can attempt to get login information, security question answers, and other personal information.

6. Files Get Locked Down and Encrypted

Mac OS ransomware takes control of the computer and encrypts all of the files on that system (or the entire network). The end user can't access this data or normal system functions. The attacker demands a payment, typically in Bitcoins, for the encryption key. You may have a timer counting down until additional fees are requested or the data is deleted.

Mac encryption to protect your data

7. What to Do if Macs are Infected

If users start to send in tickets and requests with these warning signs, start investigating immediately. You don't want a virus to get a foothold on someone's workstation or for it to reach the rest of the network.

Anti-virus, anti-malware, and advanced threat detection solutions can identify and respond to this malicious software. Once you neutralize the immediate threat, it's time to look at Mac OS virus prevention.

8. Addressing Mac OS Malware Proactively

You can put several measures in place to reduce the Mac-based attack surfaces in your business network. Have staff members go through cybersecurity awareness training so they can help you identify these warning signs before an infection becomes a much larger problem.

Routine maintenance, such as scanning the systems for malware and applying the latest operating system and firmware updates, reduce the exploits that attackers use.

Macs may have fewer malware threats than Windows, but that doesn't mean that proper cybersecurity measures should be overlooked. Keep a sharp eye out for early warning signs to keep your organization safer.

 

New call-to-action

Categories: Security, Network Security

blogs related to this

Malware and Ransomware Protection for Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

Malware and Ransomware Protection for Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

Malware has been around for quite a few years, and it continues to bring businesses down to their knees. Ransomware, in particular, was a nuisance...

Printer Security Risks and How to Mitigate Them

Printer Security Risks and How to Mitigate Them

Printers may appear to be low-maintenance and relatively safe devices. However, printers are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals to gain...

Managed IT Services vs In-House IT: Which is Right for Your Business?

Managed IT Services vs In-House IT: Which is Right for Your Business?

Information Technology (IT) is the most important pillar in an organization's architecture. The quality of an enterprise's IT ecosystem will largely...

DNS Hijacking: What it is and How to Protect Your Business

DNS Hijacking: What it is and How to Protect Your Business

A Domain Name System (DNS) is essential to all companies that depend on the internet to generate sales—it is a crucial element to the performance and...

Can Your Business Recover Data after a Ransomware Attack?

Can Your Business Recover Data after a Ransomware Attack?

In a highly digitized world, businesses face an increasingly sophisticated range of cybersecurity threats. As such, it's safe to say that ransomware...

What is Threat Intelligence Sharing?

What is Threat Intelligence Sharing?

The world is rife with cybercrime. Enterprises constantly battle an evolving array of threat actors to protect massive digital vaults of sensitive...

Optimizing Your Print Environment with a Professional Print Assessment and Analysis

Optimizing Your Print Environment with a Professional Print Assessment and Analysis

How many pages does your company print each week? What are your current print costs? What's the total cost of ownership? Are your reactive processes...