How to Remove Virus from MacBook Pro
These days with the rise of technology, there are now several developments and innovations that have helped make life easier. And the use of computers and laptops has become such a crucial part of our daily lives. It's reached the point that whenever some sort of malfunction happens, it can be very inconvenient. This most especially applies to instances when you experience a malware or virus infection on your device. In most cases, some of the malware tends to small and barely noticeable. However, there are instances where the virus is serious enough that it even shuts down your Mac.
The benefit of owning a Mac, is that they are built to withstand and repel a wide number of computer viruses. However, that does not mean that they are completely immune. Plus, despite Macs not being very susceptible to catching viruses, it is important to know how to get rid of one, if the need ever arises.
Does Your Mac Have A Virus?
As mentioned before, there a common misconception that Macs cannot be infected by malware to viruses. However, that is not true. Yes, they are tougher than PCs, when it comes to repelling viruses. However, you can still end up infected with one at some point. In fact, in recent times there has been a rise in the number of malware viruses that are specific to Macs. So in actuality, it seems the risk of catching a Mac virus is only going to keep rising as time goes on. Moreover, if you are constantly connecting your Mac to other computers using a usb-c cable for instance, then the risk is even higher. If you are unfamiliar with what these are, they are cables that are universally compatible with most devices and provide you with an extensive array of features and accessibility options. You can connect to any external device be it another Mac or PC, external keyboard, mouse or speakers. Moreover, they are valuable when transferring files across multiple external storage devices or computers, if necessary. If you are in the market for one, then we suggest using Lention’s cables, due to their high speed file transfers and durability.
The only problem with that is you never know if the computer you are plugging to and receiving data from isn’t already infected. In such cases, it is always advised to transfer files and documents to an external storage device instead such as an external hard drive or SD Card. You can normally make use of a microsdhc to usb adapter or sd card adapter to accomplish this. It is the safer and most recommended method, as you can avoid your Mac coming into direct contact with another infected computer.
And while not all viruses can be easily detected, there are some signs that may indicate that your Mac has been infected by one. Some viruses tend to be harmless and won’t cause any serious issues for your Mac. However, there are some that can be easily identifiable, as they end up affecting your Mac’s performance in a big way. Some common symptoms include; erratic shutdowns, glitches, apps closing randomly, freezing, slow loading times, etc.
Removing A Virus From Your Mac
If you believe that you may have a virus on your Mac, then don’t panic. There are several ways by which you can remove it safely and quickly. Moreover, there are several methods to accomplish this, so we’ve listed the most common solutions. However, the first thing you need to do is disconnect any external devices that you may have connected to your Mac , eg. iPhones, iPads, etc. This includes unplugging any accessories such as an ipad pro dock. For those unfamiliar, this is a device that is often used by many Mac users. It essentially helps to facilitate a convenient connection between your Mac and iPad. Once this is done, you can then follow some of the steps outlined below:
Uninstall Any Recently Downloaded Apps
If you recently installed an application or program before your Mac began acting up, then chances are it is the cause of the problem. Also if an app or program has appeared on your Mac without your knowledge, then that could also be the source of the virus. Either way, you will have to delete uninstall the applications quickly. You can do so by heading to Finder > Applications. From there, you can simply delete any installed apps or drag them to your trash. It is also recommended that you utilise a third-party clean up program, like CleanMyMacX. And don’t worry, this is a safe program, so you shouldn’t be worried about any malware or viruses. Plus, this app will ensure that all traces of the deleted app in question are erased from your hard drive completely.
Erase Mac Browser Extensions
Several kinds of malware can be present in your Mac, through your internet browser. As such, it’s always best to clear your browser extensions to remove any present viruses. You can easily head to the Settings page of your browser, eg. Safari, Google Chrome. From there, simply head to Extensions to delete any suspicious or unused extensions.
Use An Anti-Virus Cleaner
There are several virus cleaning applications that you can use to get rid of any present viruses on your Mac. However, the only catch is that some of these programs cost money upfront. But the benefit is that they are usually worth the money, as they will effectively remove any unauthorized intruders in your Mac. Moreover, some of them can help resolve any other prevalent issues you may be dealing with, eg; excess storage issues, etc. Some of the most popular anti-virus programs include; Avast, Intego, Kaspersky, etc.
Leave a comment