i have been a victim of a scam and need to check my computer to make sure it's clean

how do I check for viruses

Mac mini

Posted on Sep 8, 2015 10:59 AM

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8 replies

Sep 8, 2015 5:02 PM in response to HSTowler

The only way you can be sure that the computer is not compromised is to erase at least the startup volume and restore it to something like the state it was in before the attack. The easiest approach is to recover the entire system from a backup that predates the attack. Obviously, that's only practical if you know when the attack took place, and it was recent, and you have such a backup. You will lose all changes to data, such as email, that were made after the time of the snapshot. Some of those changes can be restored from a later backup.

If you don't know when the attack happened, or if it was too long ago for a complete rollback to be practical, then you should erase and install OS X. If you don't already have at least two complete, independent backups of all data, then you must make them first. One backup is not enough to be safe.

When you restart after the installation, you'll be prompted to go through the initial setup process for a new computer. That’s when you transfer the data from a backup in Setup Assistant.

Select only users in the Setup Assistant dialog—not Applications, Other files and folders, or Computer & Network Settings. Don't transfer the Guest account, if it was enabled.

Reinstall third-party software from original media or fresh downloads—not from a backup, which could be contaminated.

Unless you were the target of an improbably sophisticated attack, this procedure will leave you with a clean system. If you have reason to think that you were the target of a sophisticated attack, then you need expert help.

The above being done, change all Internet passwords and check all financial accounts for unauthorized transactions. Do this after the system has been secured, not before.

Sep 8, 2015 2:00 PM in response to HSTowler

To date there has not been a virus released into the wild that can attack a Mac. There is malware, trojans and phishing attacks which the user must allow to install on their Macs.


That depends on what the miscreants did while they were on your computer. If they stole your personal information then your bank accounts are in jeopardy. Personally in addition to what Illaass suggested, I would request that your credit company close your current cards and issue you new ones. Also there is no telling what they may have issued on your Mac. such as a key logger or bot software so that they can use your computer to send out spam email.

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i have been a victim of a scam and need to check my computer to make sure it's clean

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