While Macs are famous for being secure, they can still be vulnerable to certain security hazards. Every now and then, malware, adware, or any other kind of malicious programs could find a loophole. Recognizing when your Mac is showing signs of having been hacked or infected is crucial for taking appropriate action as quickly as possible.
In case you notice that the speed of your Mac has significantly reduced all of a sudden, then it might indicate that some additional processes are stealing most of the resources. Malware or extra programs can cause your Mac to lag or freeze, making everything feel sluggish.
What to Do:
Check the Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities) to see if anything is using up too much memory or CPU power. If you notice anything unfamiliar or suspicious, try quitting the process. Running a scan can help you catch anything hiding on your system, and at https://moonlock.com/remove-malware-mac, you can learn more about tools that can help you with that.
When pop-up adverts increase abruptly and one starts getting redirected to unfamiliar sites, there is a high chance that adware has infected the Mac. Such programs are usually installed without one’s knowledge.
What to Do:
To begin with, go over your browser extensions. Remove anything that you did not install. In case you keep getting pop-ups, scan for malware in your system. Also, resetting the browser settings may help to ensure everything is as it should be.
When your Mac is compromised, it may send or receive larger amounts of data than normal, even when you are not using it for anything. This is because some malware variants hijack your web connection so as to beam data off to third party servers or communicate with external servers.
What to Do:
Employ Activity Monitor in checking the network activities of applications. If some data usage appears strange to you, research it for possible suspicion. Turning off the internet connection and scanning may prevent further spread of malicious software.
Seeing new files or software in your Mac could mean that it has been infected. At times, malware may add itself in the background without being noticed.
What to Do:
In case there are new applications within the Applications folder or some files present on the desktop which you did not place there, take time to research them. Remove them if they seem suspicious and remember to empty the trash. It would be wise of you to run a malware scan so that you can determine if there are any invisible programs hiding in your Mac.
In case your Mac keeps on freezing or crashing, there is a possibility that it has been infected by malware. Although some crashes are just bugs, constant instability can also be a sign of something more serious.
What to Do:
Try restarting in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key while booting up. If your Mac runs fine in Safe Mode, it could be a third-party app or malware causing the issues. You can try removing recent apps or running a malware scan to fix it.
If you notice strange activity in your online accounts—like emails you didn’t send, unfamiliar logins, or changes you didn’t make—it might mean that malware has compromised your Mac and is stealing your personal information.
What to Do:
Check the login items in your Mac’s System Preferences (Users & Groups > Login Items) to see if any strange apps are starting up with your Mac. Also, review your accounts for anything suspicious. Changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication will add an extra layer of protection.
Your Mac’s battery may be consumed at a higher rate than usual by some malware that is running in the background. In case you realize that the power level is going down much faster than it used to, then it means there is a problem somewhere; some software could be consuming too much energy.
What to Do:
Look at Activity Monitor to see which apps are using the most energy. If something unexpected is running, quit it and see if that helps. If the battery drain continues, running a malware scan is a good idea.
If your Mac starts randomly restarting, opening or closing apps, or doing things without you touching it, there’s a chance malware could be controlling it.
What to Do:
First, try updating your system and software to fix any bugs. If that doesn’t help, consider running a malware scan. If you still suspect something’s wrong, restoring your Mac from a backup might be the safest way to get rid of any issues.
In spite of the high level of security associated with Macs, one should remain vigilant for indicators of a threat. The best course of action in such cases would be to run a system scan, update your software, as well as take out any suspect applications or files. If someone is preventive enough, they will be able to keep their Mac safe from malware.
