How do I scan for malware on my MacBook Pro?

This discussion is over two years old and it's possible that nobody else is still monitoring it, so it's always a good idea to start a new discussion topic and completely describe your problem without jumping to conclusions about malware since that's rarely the case.

But from your description it sounds like you are one of the many other's here who have accidentally installed some adware.

The safest, most efficient way to remove most all currently know adware is to use AdwareMedic which was developed by the forum's malware guru since such infections have become increasingly more of an issue than malware. In general terms, A-V scanning won't find or remove adware.

To understand what caused this and how to avoid it in the future, read John Galt's How to install adware.

I'm getting pop up stating I can't post on FB because my computer may have a virus and then I was on my desktop and I got a pop up stating it was my internet provider blocking my wifi due to a virus. I don't open any of these pop ups I immediately turn off my computer. What is this

It is a SCAM. If you are using Safari, force quit and reopen it with the SHIFT key held down.

Ciao.

Thank you, I will try it next time it happens

I realise your response is quite old now. There are malware problems with mac. fragile pottery for example. but still no apple recommended way to get rid of these things?

Ne.green wrote:

I realise your response is quite old now. There are malware problems with mac. fragile pottery for example. but still no apple recommended way to get rid of these things?

http://malwarefixes.com/how-to-remove-fragilepottery/

http://www.precisesecurity.com/adware/how-to-remove-fragilepottery

thomas_r. is the developer of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Mac which is mentioned in both the articles BobHarris referenced.

Thomas, I'm curious about this too. My MacBook hangs when surfing the web - it is slow to open pages, or let me click on webpages or input information on forms. When I look at Activity Monitor, it appears the CPU runs often at 100% during these slowdowns. It's split fairly evenly between System and User. Idle never gets above 11% and is often 0%. The only way I have found to fix this is to shutdown the whole MacBook. If I restart and open up the same webpages, everything works fine. The problem happens when the browser (Firefox) has been open for longer than a couple of hours. That's why I think I have some kind of malware.

I have a MacBook air, late 2010, 1.86Ghz Intel Core Duo 2, 2GB memory, 250G hard drive with 40G available space.

Thanks.

Franz

You should start a new "Post" (see the "Post" button at the top of the page) of your very own, and provide details about your system and the problem you are experiencing. And if you are not using Lion 10.7, then post in the correct operating system forum.

Since you are attempting to get thomas_r's attention, at least mention if you have run his "MalwareBytes" on your system.

Also it would be very helpful if you mentioned which processes where consuming all the CPU when looking Activity Monitor.

And finally, post the output from EtreCheck in your new "Post"

<https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6174> or <http://etrecheck.com>

This topic is quite old at this point... it started in October of 2012. The Mac threat landscape has changed entirely in that time, and some of the advice I would have given 4 years ago is no longer valid. Thus, to anyone else looking for help here, I'd suggest starting a new topic.

Regarding your specific issue, if the only symptom you're having is performance-related, and nothing else weird is going on, there are a lot of other explanations besides malware or adware. I'd recommend following the advice Bob has given... start a new topic, and include an EtreCheck report.