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Small business alert: 4 Tips on how to remove trojans from a Mac

29 October 2024

Small business alert: 4 Tips on how to remove trojans from a Mac

These days, trojans are a common and constant threat in the online world, and business computers can be just as vulnerable as those used at home. Arguably, it’s even more likely to find such malware in the multitude of workplace emails we’re exposed to, especially in the form of attachments of corrupt links in the body of the message. The problem is that once these trojans enter your computer, they can easily infect your files, capture your personal data, payment information and share all of that with dangerous third parties.

Although many consider a Mac to be more secure than a PC, they are still at risk from malware. And given that Macs are widely used in small businesses, especially small, creative enterprises, it’s very important to keep on the alert for any risk of computer infection. So if you think you have a trojan, there might not be a simple ‘remove from mac‘ button, but there are some actionable tips you can follow to help steer your business back to computer safety.

What is a trojan virus?

The trojan virus is a piece of malware. It has the name of a trojan horse because it does mimic history, in the sense that it tricks people into installing something, although that piece of software also installs malware on the side. A lot of the time, trojans appear in the form of software updates. The problem is that once a trojan affects your workplace computer, it can easily enter the local network and spread to all the other devices connected to it. That’s why it’s crucial to deal with any trojans right away, and the results can be very good.

How do you know you have a trojan on your Mac?

Normally, there will be numerous telltale signs to indicate there’s a trojan on your computer. A very common issue is that the Mac starts consuming a lot more resources than usual, combined with erratic behavior. This is often accompanied by much slower run-speed than normal, and increasing demand on processor activity.

You will also see all kinds of ads on your desktop, which obviously should not be there in the first place. In other cases, you will not be able to access files, and also find that browser or system settings are being changed without any action from you. You may find specific issues, such as an unstable internet connection, or just a more general condition in which your Mac is simply not running as smoothly as usual. Any or all of these symptoms may mean a trojan, but how to deal with them? Here are some tips to help you take steps to return your Mac to good health.

Use a Mac cleanup tool

The best and most effective way to remove trojans from your workplace computer is to employ a Mac cleanup tool. The advantage of using such a tool is that it can help you both identify and then remove any of the numerous trojans that can infect your device. You just press Scan, and the app will automatically identify and remove any trojan from your device. It’s a great option and it will enhance the protection of your computer.

Delete unknown/malicious profiles

You can also go to the Users and Groups section in the System Preferences and see what users have been added there. A lot of the time, trojans will include malicious profiles which need to be identified and removed right away. If you see any random profiles added here, then the best thing you can do is to remove them as quickly as you can for the best results.

Remove any apps you don’t know or use

Usually, the best approach when it comes to dealing with malware is to identify apps you don’t use and remove them. Many times, you might find apps that you never installed in the first place, and which were added by malicious software. Of course, deleting these is only a part of the process. You should also go to the library folder and check caches, launch agents, launch daemons, and click application support.

Reset your browser settings

A relatively simple step that can work very well is to just reset the browser settings. This is a if you suspect that the trojan has infected your web browser, which can be hard to remove. Resetting the browser will mean losing your bookmarks and history, so it’s a good idea to first create a backup for any valuable information, data or links/addresses you have accumulated.

You could also consider deleting any browser extensions. If you don’t want to fully reset the browser, a less intrusive option is to delete the browser extensions. Check the extensions tab in your browser and see what extensions you have installed. From there, you need to figure out the exact ones you want to keep, and any you never installed in the first place. Realistically, a lot of extensions are barely used, or have a one time use. Delete those, along with unused extensions, and it will help immensely.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that having any trojan on your workplace computer is problematic. Not only can they capture and send personal/business data to hackers, but they can also spread to other devices, yours or your clients’, potentially causing widespread and significant damage. That’s why it’s very important to use a Mac cleanup tool and anti-malware software to ensure that your business Mac is infection free. That way, you can prevent any issues, while staying safe and ensuring that any data and projects you are working on are safe, and far away from any prying eyes!

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