Malware attacks are a persistent problem for MacBook owners, and it’s a problem that isn’t likely to go away. Therefore, you should learn how malware gets onto your computer so you can prevent malware from ruining your day and stealing your data.
Fortunately, that’s what we’re here for. Read on and be better informed about how to prevent malware attacks and increase your cybersecurity.
How to prevent malware attacks
The following is a handy checklist of things you can do on a regular basis to help keep malware at bay. Obviously, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never get any malware infections, but doing the following will lessen your risk.
Use CleanMyMac
CleanMyMac, powered by Moonlock Engine, is a formidable weapon in your Mac toolbox when it comes to fighting malware. With its real-time protection against malware, you’ll be notified immediately if any malware tries to enter your machine.
You can also run manual deep scans and have CleanMyMac look for insidious forms of malware, such as ransomware and remote access trojans (RATs).
Enable the Mac firewall
A firewall comes built into your MacBook, and switching it on will stop any unwanted visitors from infiltrating your device.
There’s no complicated setup involved. Simply go to System Settings > Network > Firewall, and toggle it on. That’s more or less all you need to do, but you can always fine-tune app access in the Firewall settings.
Install all system and app updates
New forms of malware appear every day, and Apple does a top-rate job of keeping up with new threats. Unless a cyberattack utilizes a zero-day exploit (a previously unknown vulnerability), updates from Apple and app developers will address threats.
Updates will ensure that all security vulnerabilities are fixed, making it more difficult for malware to gain a foothold on your Mac.
Be very cautious when clicking links and email attachments
The easiest and fastest way for attackers to get malware onto your device is by getting you to click an email link or download an attachment. Malicious links will lead you to software and malicious scripts or to websites that are infected with spyware.
Always show extreme caution if you are sent a link by someone you don’t know or don’t entirely trust. There may be a nasty hidden surprise waiting on the other end.
Use a VPN
We should stress that using a VPN is not an absolute guarantee against malware. However, it can help in a few ways.
First, A VPN can encrypt your internet connection, so hackers find it impossible to inject malware into your connection.
Second, a VPN will mask your IP address, again making it difficult to target you with malware.
Third, some VPNs have additional features, such as blocking malicious websites.
Our recommendation is ClearVPN. Choose a country and server, and have your internet browsing instantly protected.
Limit your app installs to the Apple Store
There are lots of third-party developers out there making exciting and useful software and apps for the Apple ecosystem. However, some of these developers are not trustworthy, and downloading their software will result in malware on your machine.
The best way to avoid this trap is to limit your software and app downloads to the Apple App Store. Apple has a very rigorous set of protocols and checks that all apps must pass before they can be listed in the App Store.
If you feel you can trust a third-party developer, you can override the protection in System Settings. But you should try to avoid it if you can.
How can malware infect your device?
Let’s now take a look at the methods for how malware infects your device. Understanding these infection methods will help you be proactive about stopping them in their tracks.
Web links and email attachments
As we said earlier, web links and email attachments represent some of the fastest ways for malware to spread. These links can be downloads or malicious scripts.
It’s the classic definition of “low effort, high reward.” Cyber attackers can fire out millions of spam emails and chat messages with links and wait for some people to bite. Even if only 1% of the recipients fall for it, it’s still a big victory for the cybercriminals.
The best way to avoid this? Only click on links if they are sent by family members, friends, and trusted colleagues. Ignore the rest.
Website domains
A web link may lead to an innocuous-looking website where spyware is secretly waiting for the unsuspecting visitor. Simply hitting the wrong button or accidentally clicking an ad will be enough for your machine to become infected. The malware will then redirect you to an infected website after you type in the URL of a safe website.
This is an area where a VPN can really help you out, as the best ones will also block malicious websites. Major browsers like Chrome and Firefox also offer very strict protections that block non-HTTPS websites.
Bundled software
If you buy what you consider to be legitimate software, you will most likely trust anything else that’s bundled with it. But malware coming bundled with legitimate software is also an increasingly common method of spreading malware.
This could be a program that is in plain sight and persuades you to install it. It could call itself an updater or an antivirus program. Or it can be something that is secretly installed in the background.
This is why you should always try to confine yourself to App Store downloads or reputable big names.
Network misconfigurations
One particularly nasty form of malware is the remote access trojan (RAT). You really don’t want these on your MacBook. Not only are they hard to completely destroy, but they also burrow deep into your operating system, change its settings, and steal your data.
If your network doesn’t have a password or is misconfigured, a hacker can easily gain access to your Wi-Fi network and, from there, infect other devices attached to that network.
Make sure your network has a strong password and that all firmware is updated to the latest version. You can usually get firmware download links in your router settings.
Infected USB drives
If you find a USB drive lying around, there could be malware hidden on it, just waiting to be released. Hackers are counting on your curiosity being too intense to resist checking it out.
So if you ever find a USB stick out “in the wild,” leave it where it is.
Best tools for malware prevention
Let’s finish by giving you a list of the best tools for malware protection.
An anti-malware app: CleanMyMac
Overall, your best defense against malware is a strong anti-malware solution. And while the built-in security tools on a Mac are first-class, they don’t cover everything. Having a third-party app is an invaluable insurance policy. CleanMyMac is a trusted option.
In addition to being an antivirus tool, CleanMyMac will also clean out any junk files, warn you of background processes, and alert you to apps that are consuming an unusual amount of CPU and memory.
A firewall: The native macOS firewall
The Mac Firewall comes with every Mac computer, but you have to remember to enable it. It isn’t turned on by default when it really should be.
Thankfully, for those who like quick, easy solutions, it’s one click to turn it on, and then it’s a “set it and forget it” affair. If any malware tries to come through your firewall, it’ll be repelled.
A reliable VPN: ClearVPN
In addition to CleanMyMac, another MacPaw product that you should prioritize putting onto your device is ClearVPN.
There are countless VPNs out there, but ClearVPN is the clear choice. Not only is it very affordable, but you can also choose from a multitude of servers and countries.
Once enabled, the VPN will encrypt your website traffic and mask your real IP address, making it very difficult for a hacker to introduce malware into your internet connection.
A secure browser: Forefox, Safari, Brave
If you use any of the major browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Brave, you can increase their protection against malicious websites. Just go to your browser settings and access the security and privacy settings. On Chrome, it’s called Enhanced Protection.
Malware is becoming a more serious problem every day, but big tech and third-party developers are helping consumers beat malware with new malware protection features.
Some other measures simply come down to logic and common sense. By exercising caution with links, email attachments, downloads, and the sites you visit, you’re already doing more than most users.
This is an independent publication, and it has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. MacBook and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc.
