This detailed guide will show you how to install, configure and use free software to scan your Mac for viruses, malware and spyware.
The options you may wish to change (they're disabled by default) are: Scan whole files, Scan all Time Machine backups, and Scan archives. Each of these items will increase the time it takes to scan your Mac, but the scan will be even more comprehensive. Just let it run overnight if time is a concern.
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- On the upper-right corner of your Mac, right-click the Trend Micro icon, then select Open.
- Scan from the Scans tab On the upper-right corner of your Mac, right-click the Trend Micro icon, then select Open Trend Micro Antivirus. Click the Scans tab. Select the type of scan you want to run, then click Start Selected Scan.
Security Software for macOS
I'll keep this introduction brief. Here's how I feel about Mac security software –
If you have critical, can't-live-without stuff on your Mac, it's worth paying for security software. None of the free apps offer complete coverage. This guide uses the free version of Avast Security – which includes a full antivirus/malware scanner. However, the free version does not offer ransomware protection. Ransomware on a Mac is still quite rare, but it does happen, and if you regularly install software that doesn't come from the Mac App Store the odds of being infected go up.
If you're going to shell out your hard earned money, I would recommend Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. It offers more features than Avast and it's less expensive.
With all of that said – if what you're looking to accomplish is to scan your Mac for viruses and malware, Avast (and this guide) is for you.
Installing & Setting Up Antivirus Software
- Installing and setting up Avast isn't particularly complicated, it's just a bit more involved than a regular 'drag to the Applications folder' type of installation. Start by downloading the installer file. Once the download has completed, open the .DMG file and double-click Install Avast Security.pkg
- Click the Allow button when asked if program can be run to determine whether Avast will work on your Mac.
- If you're using macOS Catalina or Big Sur, you'll get a warning message about a System Extension being blocked. Click the Open Security Preferences button when you see that message.
- This will open the Security & Privacy section of the System Preferences. Click on the ‘lock' icon in the bottom left corner and enter your password when prompted. Then, click the Allow button next to the System software message (see screenshot below).
- During the installation, you may be asked if you'd like to install Google Chrome. You do not need to install it, and can skip that step entirely.
- If you're asked to allow Avast Security.app permission to access your Downloads folder, click the OK button.
- After you click 'Next' a bunch of times, click the Close button on the last of the installation screens.
- With the installation complete, now it's time to setup and configure Avast – which mostly consists of granting various permissions. To gets started, click the CONTINUE button.
- Click the OPEN CONFIRMATION DIALOG button.
- Click the ALLOW button.
- Confirm that it says DONE! above the CONTINUE button, and then click that same CONTINUE button.
- Avast needs to be able to access all the files on your Mac so that it can scan them, which means it needs to be granted full disk access. Click the OPEN SYSTEM PREFERENCES button.
- This time the Privacy & Security window will open up with the Privacy tab displayed. If it isn't already selected, click Full Disk Access from the column of options on the left side of the window. Place a check in the box next to Avast Security
- A message will pop up letting you know that Avast won't have those access permisions until it has been restarted, so click the Quit & Reopen button.
- Avast will close down and reopen itself. When it's open again, you'll probably see a big 'This Mac is not fully protected' message. No problem. Click the Core Shields button.
- Toggle the File Shield switch from OFF to ON
- Confirm that all 3 'core shields' have been turned on, and then click the ‘back arrow' located in the upper-left corner of the Avast window.
Check Your Mac for Viruses, Spyware & Malware
- Now let's scan your Mac for viruses, malware and/or adware. Click the RUN SMART SCAN button now.
- Avast will do a quick check to make sure you have the very latest virus definitions installed and everything is completely up to date.
- Once it's done, click the NEXT button.
- The actual scan can take a while – the length of time is determined by the number of files you have and the overall speed of your Mac. It's probably a good time to go grab a cup of coffee or tea.
- With a bit of luck, hopefully nothing was found. If that's the case, click the Next button. If Avast did identify something bad, follow the steps it suggests in order to remove any infected files.
- This part of the ‘scan' is an upsell. Avast wants you to buy their software so you're completely protected, but again – if you're going to pay for security software, I recommend Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac over Avast.
Click the Skip for now link in the bottom-right corner of the Avast window.
- Click the Done button.
- There is one set of settings you may wish to change – click the Menu button in the top-right corner of the Avast window, and select Preferences from the list of options.
- Choose the Scans tab. The options you may wish to change (they're disabled by default) are: Scan whole files, Scan all Time Machine backups, and Scan archives. Each of these items will increase the time it takes to scan your Mac, but the scan will be even more comprehensive. Just let it run overnight if time is a concern.
- That's it! Your Mac is that much safer now :)
If this guide helped, be sure to check out our other Mac content.
Ever wondered how often you should run an antivirus scan on your PC or Mac? While all best antivirus software will utilize a real-time scanner keeping an eye on everything you're doing or downloading, it's also a good idea to occasionally run your antivirus software regularly manually too.
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Think of it as completing household chores like cleaning or tidying. It's essential to keep on top of these things, so it's smart to schedule in some PC maintenance time, whereby you run your antivirus software at least once a week to check everything is going smoothly. Want to know more about why it's so useful to do? Read on as we explain the key reasons behind why it's a wise move to run your antivirus software at least once per week.
Peace of mind
Look, we'll level with you. A lot of the time, antivirus software should be fine to run in the background and do its own thing. However, like how you should regularly check how your car is performing before a big journey, it's simply not worth the risk to ignore your antivirus software.
By running it once a week manually, you can be confident that everything is running smoothly, and you've done everything possible to keep your data secure. Given all it takes is a couple of clicks of your mouse, why wouldn't you do this to be sure?
You can plan for a full scan
Antivirus software typically offers two types of scans. There's the quick scan which quickly looks over the essentials of your PC, checking for anything obvious that's amiss. Then there's the deep or full scan that thoroughly checks through your system. Think of it as the difference between a spot clean of your kitchen and a deep clean that you should do every once in a while.
A full scan places a heavy load on your computer. That's not a bad thing as your computer can cope, but it may not be very keen to multitask at the same time. If you set aside some time for this, you can leave your PC to solely run the deep scan, knowing that it's far more thorough than the usual quick scan that tends to happen daily.
You can check for dormant files
Antivirus software updates regularly via definition files that track all the latest malware and viruses out there. Shorthand for mac. However, it is sometimes possible that a dormant virus or malware is lurking on your computer's hard drive unactivated and undetected due to an earlier scan that hadn't picked up on the issue. Some malware can be downloaded but not executed, meaning it's sort of harmless, but it's still there as a potential threat if you don't think and hit the open button one day.
If you regularly use a manual scan to check out what's going on, you'll always be on top of the latest definition file updates. It's a great way of being extra secure and safe with your data.
Antivirus software developers recommend it
Antivirus Download Mac
Ok, so we know antivirus software makers are keen for you to use their product, but they also know that their real-time scanners work very well. Still, they all recommend that you schedule a regular scan at least every week. It's only good practice to keep constantly alert on what's going on. No method is perfect, so it's merely smart to follow the developer instructions and regularly perform a scan. You paid for the software after all. You want it to work, right?
Regular internet users may come across more suspicious files
We're not judging where you're browsing or what you're downloading, but if you know you download a lot more files than the average user each week, it stands to good reason that you should also be scanning your computer more regularly. Thanks to those aforementioned definition updates, you'll know you're always on top of things. It simply works out as an excellent backup to the usual real-time scanner that should be keeping an eye on what you're dealing with anyhow. It rules out other issues.
Run Antivirus Scan On Mac
Is your PC seeming a little sluggish compared to usual? It might be a good idea to run an antivirus scan. You'll rule out whether a virus or malware is slowing down your system and causing issues. Seagate backup plus 4tb desktop external hard drive for mac. It could simply be that another reason is causing the slowdown, but the best way of troubleshooting a problem is to narrow down the options.
How To Run Antivirus Scan On Mac
By running an antivirus scan and learning it's clear, you can focus on other ways to speed up your computer, such as uninstalling unnecessary software or pinpointing if the issue lies with one specific task you're trying to complete.
