How to check for any Hidden Malware on macOS Sonoma

alygg wrote:

Is there a known malware that could preserved on my mac?

No.

Is this theoretically possible?

No.

And also could my previous data be restored via disk engineering?

No.

I am paranoiac

That's the problem. You've been lied to. Anything you see on the internet written by 3rd party "security" companies, internet "security researchers", or social media influencers is a lie. It's all a lie - designed and engineered to confuse and frighten you. And it's not an accident. They know people are susceptible to their messages of fear and they use that fear to exploit you.

You have to break the chains. That's the only option. Yes. Apple is trying to make money. Yes. Apple products are buggy sometimes. That's normal. Apple is made up of human employees. But Apple is honest. Apple's built-in security is all you need. Anyone who tells you otherwise - anyone - is lying to you.

As already stated getting any malware is very rare however i have run the free app Malwarebytes many times and no malware was found but if it helps you sleep at night then use it as you wish.

MacGenius360 wrote:

One way to check for malware on your Mac is to use reputable antivirus software specifically designed for macOS. There are several antivirus applications available for macOS that can scan your system for malware and other security threats. Some popular options include Malwarebytes, Avast Security, and Sophos Home.

Sorry must challenge the idea of using Third Party Security Software by any Name or Brand Name.

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications including Malware

The worst Malware could do, is Effect the User Account in which it was Installed in.

The only Entity that can open / modify or alter this Volume is Apple.

That would occur when an update or UpGrade is performed.

However unlikely you are to get infected, malware on the Mac is very real and potentially hazardous to your system security. Any IT professional knows this. Increasingly sophisticated vectors of infection can and do fool the best of us. Fortunately, there are now robust anti-malware tools built-in to macOS, so keeping your system up to date is the best defense, along with common sense precautions. There is of course an abundance of 3rd party software on the market for this purpose as well. Malwarebytes, for example, is widely advertised on this site. Unfortunately, all of these require the installation of background system processes which may be undesirable to some users. I do know of one free standalone app by a well known company that does not require installation, which I run manually from time to time - it updates a huge online database of malware definitions prior to scanning. Forum rules prohibit me from naming this handy app, though no doubt you can find it with a proper google search.

alygg wrote:

Hi, I am paranoiac. I’ve just erased all content and setting via system preferences on Sonoma. Is there a known malware that could preserved on my mac? Is this theoretically possible?

And also could my previous data be restored via disk engineering?

Thanks for answers in advance.

[Re-Titled By Moderator]

If you were to use Setup Assist on the First Boot Up after doing the Erase All Content and Settings

Then it is possible you will effectively Re-Introduce the Issues that existed from the time the when the Time Machine Backup was last Made.

This would also re-introduce the Malware you sought to remove

An aside to the Main Issue

It is my duty as a fellow user to be vigilant at all times.

There has been a recent infestation of these Forums by AI / ChatBots.

They may appear as well formulated  with what appears as possible technical solutions.

Suggest being very careful about this.

Some suggestions can be very incorrect or even impossible to do.

I think everyone should read this excellent article written by a respected forum contributor on how to keep your devices running smoothly & how to protect both you & your devices (make sure to read all the articles linked within the article as well):

Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

Malware would only effect the User Account where the Malware was Installed

Further, Malware would have required the User to Purposefully and Knowingly Give Expressed Permission to the Malware bypass the Builtin protection.

Security. Built right in

Mac app security enhancements

Suggesting to use an On-Line Malware Scanner would be a waste of time

While macOS is generally considered to be a secure operating system, it's not immune to malware, though the risk is relatively low compared to other platforms.

If you've recently erased all content and settings on your Sonoma MacBook Pro, it's unlikely that any malware would persist after the reset. When you erase your Mac using the built-in system preferences, it typically removes all user data and settings, including any potentially malicious software. However, it's always a good idea to be cautious and take additional steps to verify the security of your system.

One way to check for malware on your Mac is to use reputable antivirus software specifically designed for macOS. There are several antivirus applications available for macOS that can scan your system for malware and other security threats. Some popular options include Malwarebytes, Avast Security, and Sophos Home.

In addition to using antivirus software, you can also practice good security habits to help protect your Mac from malware. This includes keeping your system and software up to date with the latest security patches, being cautious when downloading and installing software from the internet, and avoiding suspicious websites and email attachments.

As for the possibility of restoring previous data via disk engineering, it depends on how securely your data was erased. If you used the built-in system preferences to erase all content and settings, the data should be securely erased and not easily recoverable. However, if you're concerned about the security of your data, you can use disk encryption tools like FileVault to encrypt your data and prevent unauthorized access.

If you have further concerns about the security of your macOS device or data recovery, it may be helpful to reach out to Official Apple Support for personalized assistance and guidance. They can provide additional information and resources to help address your specific concerns.