Finding out that you might have malware on your Mac can be a rather frightening thing to discover and most people are rarely prepared for it. This is because if your Mac is infected, your data is officially at risk, including your files and identity. And while the risk of getting malware on Mac is very slim, make no mistake that there is still a possibility that it could happen.

As time moves on, there are now a growing amount of threats posed to the macOS system. As such, you need to be able to identify the signs of a potential malware infection. And in this regard, you can often tell if that has happened based on your Mac’s overall behavior. Some clear indicators include; when your device starts to perform slower than usual, your browser starts showing random pop-ups or opening unwanted tabs, your Mac starts to overheat, etc.

However, that does not mean that if your Mac doesn’t show these symptoms, you don’t have malware, either. It may not directly affect your Mac’s performance, but it could be running in the background duplicating your files, accessing browser history, recording your activity, etc.

Luckily, there are a few actions that you can take to help secure your Mac and also stay prepared, in case your Mac does end up being attacked by malware.

1. Back up your Mac

If your Mac has been infected by malware, then back up your Mac to avoid losing any important data. It is often suggested that you back up your Mac periodically, but if you weren’t doing that before, let this be the sign that you should start doing that now. In most cases, you can either back up your Mac’s files manually or automatically by using a backup program like Time Machine. In the best-case scenario, you should have versioned backups ready. These back-ups will essentially contain different versions of your Mac’s files, as you continue to edit them. This will allow you to back-track your work to a specific period, in case you ever need to.

You also need to make sure that you have a reliable external storage drive to store your backups. You can often either use an external storage drive or a portable drive like a flash disk or SD Card. In this regard, you may then need to purchase a sd card hub, if you don’t own one already. These accessories will expand your Mac’s connectivity ports, allowing you to transfer data to peripherals such as; SD Cards, mobile devices, portable drives, external hard disks, etc. Moreover, the fast data transfer rates that they offer reduces the risk of accidental file corruption during the process. They also come with useful features like; 4K HDMI ports and Gigabit Ethernet ports.

2. 2.Disconnect Your Mac From The Internet

Most malware these days works in conjunction with programs that contact a remote server. This server will then tell your infected computer to start transmitting data and files, or in some cases to install more malware onto your device. In this respect, it’s best to completely disconnect your Mac from any wireless or wired internet connection to avoid any further damage or risk of remote control by unauthorized hackers.

This sort of scenario is common, especially if you connect your Mac to the internet over publicly accessed WiFi networks in college campuses, coffee shops, etc. This is why you should set up your a secure private network at home or in the office, instead of working on sensitive projects over public networks. And while having your WiFi network is sufficient, you can go one step further and opt for a wired internet connection instead. This will provide you with faster and more secure internet connectivity, as it restricts any nearby access by hackers over a wireless network.

However, since most Macs don’t come with Ethernet ports anymore, you may need to invest in a usb 3.0 hub with long cable. These accessories will help expand your Mac’s connectivity ports and plug into a wired Ethernet network for more secure and safer browsing. And the best choice for this would be the CB-C35H-1M model from Lention. This universally compatible device features a Gigabit Ethernet port that facilitates fast internet and data connectivity for all your workplace needs. It also comes with 4 USB 3.0 ports that are backward compatible with all USB 2.0 devices.

As a result, you can connect up to 4 different external devices like keyboards, mousepads, or disk drives, all at the same time. It also offers a maximum data transfer speed of 5Gbps and up to 60W integrated charging for any peripherals you may own. Plus, as a bonus, it has a 3.3ft extra cable extension, which is useful in clearing your workspace and giving yourself some extra room to work with.

3. 3.Download Anti-Virus Software

If you don’t already have anti-virus software installed on your Mac, make sure to do so now. These programs will allow you o conduct a thorough scan of your Mac and locate any infected or potentially risky files that may pose a threat to your device. Most virus scanners offer a trial version. So you don’t have to commit right away to a paid plan if you aren’t sure. This should at least solve your current problem, and you can decide whether or not to invest in a paid plan later on. In this regard, we recommend getting one of the top programs in the market, such as Bitdefender, Norton 360, Intego, McAfee, etc. They will do a good job of scanning your Mc, locate the infected malware, and erase it from your Mac immediately.

4. 4. Avoid Connecting To Unknown External Devices

One of the most common reasons for malware infections is connecting your Mac to several external devices without knowing if they are malware-free. This is pretty common with people in the creative sector, eg. video editors, music producers, etc. As they often need to plug in a whole host of devices and peripheral to conduct their work. However, the risk of doing that is you could sendup connecting your Mac to another laptop or storage device that contains harmful software. Moreover, if you don’t have anti-virus software installed, you may not even detect the malware present until it’s too late.

In this respect, make sure that you scan all the devices before copying or downloading any files from those drives and devices. Also, try to limit the number of peripheral you connect your Mac to, as well. You should also consider using a usb-c hub, as these devices will help ensure that any connection you make between your Mac and external devices is safe, secure and reliable. If you don’t own one then, go check out Lention’s (D92) Docking Station. It is a highly functional all-in-one universally compatible docking station that features a dual 4K output that facilitates dual HDMI and DisplayPort with both mirror and extend mode for connecting to any 5k usb c monitor. It also comes with 6 USB 3.0 ports, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, and microphone input and audio output. This makes it convenient for those of you that may need to carry out creative projects.