ANY message telling you your Mac, iPad, or iPhone is
infected is a Blatant LIE. No one can tell that from
outside your Mac, iPad, or iPhone.
0. Recovery (if necessary)
Startup Options
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Manage/Startup.html
1. Ensure that macOS is up2date
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
The single most important action you can take to improve
your security and minimize your risk is to do all the
updates (and upgrades).
2. Clear (browser) History and Website Data...
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Manage/Browser_History.html
Clearing (browser) History and Website Data removes links
to any malicious websites - That's important.
3. Download, Install, and run Malwarebytes (free) daily to
mitigate malware we get tricked into downloading.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download/
Proven Malwarebytes technology crushes the growing threat
of Mac malware, including thorough malware, spyware, and
virus removal. Finally, cybersecurity smart enough for the
Mac.
4. Download, Install, and run CleanMyMac (not free)
daily followed by a Restart (without re-opening any windows)
of your Mac
https://macpaw.com/cleanmymac
CleanMyMac is all-in-one package to awesomize your Mac.
It cleans megatons of junk and makes your computer run
faster. Just like it did on day one.
5. Download, Install, and run AppCleaner (free) as needed
http://www.freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
AppCleaner is a small application which allows you to
thoroughly uninstall unwanted apps. Installing an
application distributes many files throughout your System
using space of your Hard Drive unnecessarily. AppCleaner
finds all these small files and safely deletes them.
Remove any Apps that Bad Guys tricked you into installing
(such as Team Viewer). Remove any third party apps you
installed that you no longer need. Make sure all your
remaining apps are up2date.
Check for unwanted browser extensions. For example:
Safari > Preferences > Extensions and disable anything that
should not be there.
6. Protect your Mac from malware
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/protect-your-mac-from-malware-mh40596/mac
macOS has many features that help protect your Mac and your
personal information from malicious software, or malware.
One common way malware is distributed is by embedding it in
a harmless-looking app.
You can reduce this risk by using software only from
reliable sources. The settings in Security & Privacy
preferences allow you to specify the sources of software
installed on your Mac.
7. Change any compromised passwords
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Manage/Passwords.html
Change the password on any compromised account. New
paswords should be unique, long, and preferable randomly
generated.
8. Review Phishing
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Manage/Phishing.html
Computers don't get hacked without your participation. Do
not respond to phishing attempts.
9. Objective-see Security Tools (free)
https://objective-see.com
Objective-See was created to provide simple, yet effective
macOS security tools. Always free of charge - no strings
attached!
sam.wormley@icloud.com