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how do i know if my mac has viruses?

how do i know if my mac has a virus?
also, can it crash? should I be concerned

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jan 18, 2013 12:51 PM

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11 replies

Jan 18, 2013 1:10 PM in response to WZZZ

Then we may rely upon you to clarify that for the public. Although I don't really know what the OP means by "virus," I'm guessing just as you are. Or, I may be using the term to also mean malware. But perhaps you should ask the OP if he/she is in fact confused. As you know, there are no known viruse affecting OS X. There is a flu virus going around that does affect flying squirrels - flu then crash. 🙂

Jan 18, 2013 2:33 PM in response to macuser787

You've already been given two references to my Mac Malware Guide, so I won't link to that again! 😀 I do wonder, though, why you ask about this. Are you having a problem that prompted you to wonder if you were infected with malware? That's not likely to be the case. If you describe your problem, someone here should be able to help with it.


Also, you asked if your Mac can crash... it certainly can crash, but it shouldn't. If your machine is crashing, there's a problem somewhere that needs to be addressed.

Jan 18, 2013 3:47 PM in response to macuser787

There are many forms of ‘Malware’ that can affect a computer system, of which ‘a virus’ is but one type, ‘trojans’ another. Using the strict definition of a computer virus, no viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions. The same is not true of other forms of malware, such as Trojans. Whilst it is a fairly safe bet that your Mac will NOT be infected by a virus, it may have other security-related problem, but more likely a technical problem unrelated to any malware threat.




You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:


https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435


The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.

how do i know if my mac has viruses?

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