A virus in your device can be devastating. And while they’re rarer on Apple devices, they can happen there too. Knowing how to fix your device and prevent future attacks is critical.
So, how is your current strategy working to protect your digital equipment? While most people know how to protect their mobile devices, an alarming number of people do not know how to keep their PCs or Mac secure.
Today’s article will cover some common Mac viruses targeting computers and how to protect your machine from future attacks. Let’s get started!
How to Know If Your Computer Has a Virus
There are a few telltale signs that your computer may have a virus. Look out for the following signs.
Your computer is running slower than usual. You are seeing pop-ups or ads that you didn’t see before, and your browser is behaving. These could all be signs of a virus.
Do a virus scan if you suspect your computer has a virus. Both PCs and Macs have built-in virus protection. You may also want to use a third-party antivirus program.
How to Tell the Difference Between PC and Mac Viruses
There is a big difference between a PC and a Mac virus; PC viruses are much more common and easier to create since Windows is the most popular operating system. Mac viruses are harder to create and usually don’t spread fast. Yet, both can cause a lot of trouble for users.
Macs are less susceptible to viruses due to their proprietary software. It has a closed system, but they’re not immune as there have been a few notable Mac viruses in recent years.
By the symptoms, PC viruses tend to cause more havoc, like crashing your system or deleting files. They are usually made with a specific purpose in mind which is stealing information or destroying data.
PC viruses are often created by criminal gangs or individual hackers, then released onto the internet. Once released, they can spread to other PCs via email attachments or downloads.
Mac viruses are more likely to annoy you with pop-ups and often masquerade as legitimate files making them difficult to identify but they tend to be less destructive than PC viruses. Viruses can manifest as videos not playing on your Mac. Try this link https://setapp.com/how-to/videos-not-playing-on-mac.
Finally, there is the source of the infection. PC viruses come from visiting unsafe websites or downloading unsafe files. Mac viruses usually originate from email attachments or infected USB devices.
How to Remove a Virus From Your PC
Run a virus scan using your anti-virus software. If the scan finds a virus, it will usually give you the option to remove or quarantine the virus. If you’re not sure what to do, you can always consult the software’s documentation or a support forum.
If the scan doesn’t find a virus, Malware may have infected your PC. It is software designed to damage or disable your PC. To remove malware, you’ll need to use a malware removal tool.
There are many free and effective malware removal tools available online. Once you’ve run a malware scan and removed any malware, you should run a virus scan again to be sure.
If you don’t have an anti-virus program, you can download one from the internet. Once the anti-virus program has removed the virus, restart your PC.
Another strategy is to restart your computer in safe mode. This will prevent any programs from running, including the virus.
If you can’t remove the virus yourself. Take your computer to a professional to have it cleaned.
How to Remove a Virus from Your Mac
If you think your Mac has a virus, you can use these steps to remove it.
Firstly, use the App Store to check for and install any software updates for your Mac. It will ensure patched security holes and that you have the latest tools to remove the virus. It will also close exploited security vulnerabilities by a virus.
Secondly, install an anti-malware app to scan for and remove viruses. There are many free and paid options available. Once the scan is complete, remove any infected files.
Thirdly, restarting your Mac will help prevent any active viruses from running. Delete any apps that you don’t recognize or that look suspicious.
Finally, if you can’t remove the virus on your own, you may need to wipe your hard drive and reinstall your operating system.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to remove any viruses from your Mac.
Prevention Tips to Keep your PC or Mac From Getting a Virus
Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches. Use a reputable antivirus program to scan your computer every time.
Be cautious when opening email attachments and only download files from trusted sources. Avoid downloading pirated software, and don’t click on anything that looks suspicious.
Ready for Troubleshooting
For PC and Mac viruses, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem. First, try running a virus scan with your antivirus software. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a different antivirus program or a virus removal tool.
If all else fails, you may need to reformat your hard drive and reinstall your operating system.
Are you searching for more tech tips and troubleshooting? Then you’re in the right place. Keep scrolling our blog for more informative content.