Guide · 4 min read
Can Macs get viruses?
Macs are well protected but not immune. What threats affect macOS, how Apple's built-in defences work and the habits that keep a MacBook or iMac safe.
The short answer is yes. Macs have a strong security design and suffer far less traditional malware than Windows computers, but they are not immune, and the idea that they cannot get viruses leads some owners to drop their guard. Most problems on a Mac come not from clever code but from being tricked into installing something or handing over a password.
This guide explains what Apple builds in, which threats actually affect Mac owners, the signs something is wrong and the practical everyday steps to keep a MacBook, iMac or Mac mini safe, whether it is a family computer, a student laptop or the main working machine in a small office.
From $135 + GST + $30 call-out ($185.25 incl. GST)
Quick checklist
- Install macOS updates and security responses
- Check Login Items for unknown entries
- Remove unexpected configuration profiles
- Check browser extensions and search engine
- Turn on FileVault disk encryption
- Use two-factor authentication on your Apple Account
- Back up with Time Machine to an external drive
What Apple builds in
macOS includes several layers of protection that work without any setup. Gatekeeper checks that downloaded apps come from identified developers and have been notarised by Apple. XProtect is a built-in malware scanner that Apple updates quietly in the background. System Integrity Protection stops even administrator accounts from altering core system files, and apps run in restricted areas unless you grant them access to things like your files, camera or screen. These defences are effective, but every one of them can be overridden by a person clicking Allow or typing their password at the wrong moment.
Threats that do affect Macs
Adware is the most common problem: programs that hijack Safari or Chrome, change the search engine and fill pages with advertising. Fake Flash Player or video codec installers still circulate. Information stealers have become more frequent on macOS, aimed at saved browser passwords, crypto wallets and keychain data. Ransomware for Mac exists, though it is less widespread. And the threats that do not care about your operating system at all, such as phishing emails, fake Apple support calls and remote access scams, work just as well on a Mac as anywhere else.
Signs a Mac may have a problem
Most Mac malware is noisy rather than stealthy, because it is trying to make money from advertising or push you into doing something, such as calling a fake support line or entering a password. Information stealers are the exception and may show no sign at all, which is why good habits matter more than symptoms. These are the symptoms worth acting on.
- Safari or Chrome opening an unfamiliar search engine
- Pop-ups claiming your Mac is infected
- A configuration profile you did not add in System Settings
- Unknown items under Login Items or in Applications
- Repeated requests for your password from unknown apps
- The fan running hard while the Mac sits idle
Checking your Mac yourself
Start with System Settings, then General, then Login Items, and remove anything you do not recognise. Look for a Profiles section under Privacy and Security or General, as malicious configuration profiles can force browser settings and should be removed. In Safari, open Settings and check Extensions and the search engine, and do the same in Chrome if you use it. Open the Applications folder, sort by date added and look for recent apps you did not install. Under Privacy and Security, see which apps have screen recording, accessibility or full disk access, and remove any you cannot explain.
Habits that keep a Mac safe
Keep macOS updated through Software Update and install new versions when your Mac is supported, as older macOS releases eventually stop receiving security fixes. Download apps from the Mac App Store or the developer's own site. Be suspicious of any prompt asking for your administrator password that you did not expect, and never right-click to open an app that Gatekeeper blocked unless you are certain where it came from. Turn on FileVault so a stolen Mac does not expose your data, use a strong Apple Account password with two-factor authentication, and set up Time Machine to an external drive.
When to call a technician
Book a technician if your Mac shows persistent pop-ups or browser redirects, has a profile or app you cannot remove, or if someone had remote access to it. We will check login items, profiles, launch agents and app permissions, remove adware and other malware, update macOS where the hardware allows, confirm Time Machine and FileVault are working and secure your Apple Account and browser passwords.
From $135 + GST + $30 call-out ($185.25 incl. GST)
Related services
Mac Repair & SupportMacBook, iMac and Mac mini help at your home or office.Virus & Scam RemovalPop-ups, scam calls and nasty software cleaned up.Computer Health Check & Tune-upA full check of a computer's drive, updates, security, startup items, backups and cooling, with a written list of findings.Common questions
Do I need antivirus software on a Mac?
Many home users are well protected by macOS's built-in defences plus careful habits. Businesses with several Macs often add a managed security product so problems are reported centrally. Avoid so-called Mac cleaner apps promoted through pop-ups, as some are adware themselves.
Is my iCloud account at risk if my Mac is infected?
It can be. Some Mac malware targets saved passwords and keychain data. If you suspect an infection, change your Apple Account password from a trusted device, check which devices are signed in to your account and make sure two-factor authentication is on.
Why does my Mac keep opening a strange search page?
That is classic adware behaviour, usually from a browser extension, a configuration profile or a login item installed alongside something else. Removing the extension alone often fails because the profile puts it back, so check all three places.
My Mac no longer gets macOS updates. Is that a problem?
Over time, yes. Unsupported versions stop receiving security fixes and browsers eventually stop supporting them too. If your Mac cannot run a current macOS, plan to replace it, especially if it is used for banking or business work.
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