Macs are fast, efficient, and very sleek-designed computers. For some, they increase work efficiency and productivity; for others – it is a great tool to create, and for some – it is a part of a fashion statement.
As great as Macs could be, they are not automatically protected from malware. There is a belief that Macs are safe computers that can defend themselves, and that is not quite true. Macs are unable to defend themselves against so many types of malware that are created every day.
Today, there are so many new viruses constantly appearing, that your Mac could catch a chrome virus or any other malware easily. The more new viruses there are, the harder it is to defend against them. So if you want to learn some great tips about how to keep your Mac safe from viruses, keep on reading.
What Signs Show That Your Mac Might Have a Virus?
There are quite a few signs that indicate your Mac might have caught a virus. If you notice a few of these, then it is highly possible that it’s true.
The first thing to keep an eye on is random windows, notifications, and advertisements opening on your screen. This is a pretty clear sign you have a virus because no other technical issue could cause this. Also, if you notice that after you open your browser, it automatically starts opening random websites, it is also a very clear sign of a virus.
Try to notice websites that you used to visit constantly starting to show huge banners with advertisements that didn’t happen before. More to it, if the content that you see in these and all other ads all over the internet are completely unrelated to your interests and search results, this might be a sign of a virus too.
What Not to Do When You Get a Virus
The first thing not to do is rush and install any antivirus app that you find. First of all, if you really have a virus on your computer and it is already affecting the ads that you see on your browser, it is highly possible that it can also have an effect on your search results.
For example, if you search for a Mac antivirus on your browser, there’s a big chance you will get fake results. To avoid that, try searching for an antivirus with your phone and only then install it on your Mac. But have in mind that your phone can have a virus too, so if you see clear signs of it, just use any other device.
Another thing you should avoid is notifications about the virus that tells you to perform a certain action. If a notification or a window like this asks you to call a certain number or email personal information to solve the issue, never perform this action because it is a clear fraud. If you follow with their instructions, you might end up with even more damage, like permanent data loss, personal data leakage, and even losing money.
Do Not Forget to Back up Your Mac Occasionally
To prevent the negative impact that a virus could cause, it is best that you develop a habit to regularly back up your data on your Mac. This way, even if you get attacked by a virus, you will be calm about your data not disappearing.
The easiest and fastest way to backup your data is by using a Time Machine that lets you boot your Mac into data recovery.
Always Update Your Browser
It is always important to keep everything up to date. Starting with apps, macOS, and ending with the main browser that you use every day. This is important because these updates do not only include all sorts of bug fixes and performance enhancements, but it also updates the information and protection from potential threats, like malware.
If you use the default Safari browser that originally comes with a Mac, then you do not need to worry about updating it separately. This is because Safari is a macOS app that updates alongside with your other apps. But if you use a Chrome browser or any other, then you will need to remember to update it separately.
Pay Attention to the Gatekeeper
The newest versions of macOS come with great additional tools like Gatekeeper that helps you keep your Mac safe and protected. When you download an app or any software from the internet, you will always see a pop-up, asking if you really want to open the application because it might look suspicious.
Gatekeeper will never open an app like this without your permission. Therefore, if you are sure that you want to proceed, you need to click Open to approve this action. This is a great opportunity for you to check if this is really the app that you wanted to download in the first place or maybe you just downloaded a fake install file. After installing an app like this, you might need a sudden help from Mac antivirus to deal with the malware.