How to remove malware from a Mac or PC - Norton (2024)

If your PC or Mac is behaving strangely, you could have a malware infection. If so, you need to identify and remove it immediately. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through removing malware from your PC or Mac. And get comprehensive online security like Norton 360 Deluxe to help keep your device malware-free and running smoothly.

The malware removal process explained

In general, the first steps to remove malware for aMac or PC are to disconnect from the internet and enter safe mode. Next, checkyour activity monitor for malicious applications and run a malware scanner.Finally, clear your cache and delete your web browser history when you are backonline.

Malwarerefers to malicious software that has the powerto infect your computer, making your sensitive information vulnerable tocybercriminals.

Since malicioussoftware can infect any device via email, fake websites, or fraudulentdownloads, both Macs and Windows PCs are prone to malware threats.

Here’s our step-by-stepguide on how to remove malware from your computer and prevent the malicioussoftware from putting your data into the wrong hands.

Howto remove malware from a Mac

Malware removal from aMac can be accomplished in six simple steps.

Step1: Disconnect from the internet

Disconnecting from theinternet will prevent more of your data from being sent to a malware server orthe malware from spreading further. Stay offline as much as possible if yoususpect that your computer has been infected.

If you need to downloada removal tool, disconnect after the download is complete and don’t connectagain until you are sure that the malware has been removed.

Step2: Enter safe mode

Safe mode, oftenreferred to as safe boot, is a way to start your computer so that it performschecks and allows only the minimum required software and programs to load.

If malware is set toload automatically, this will prevent the malware from doing so, making iteasier to remove.

To enter safe mode:

1. Start (or restart) your Mac, thenimmediately press and hold the Shift key. The Apple logo will appear onyour display.
2. Release the Shift key when you see thelogin window (if you are asked to log in twice, learn more about what todohere).

Disclaimer: Avoid logging into accounts duringmalware removal.

Be careful to notexposepasswordsthough a copy-paste function or by clicking a“show password” box if you suspect your computer has been infected.

Keylogger viruses are acommon component of malware, which run invisibly and are designed to captureyour keystrokes.

To avoid sharing yourpersonally identifiable information, refrain from logging into sensitiveaccounts while your device is infected.

Step3: Check your activity monitor for malicious applications

If you know you’veinstalled a suspicious update or application, close the application if it’srunning. You can do so by using your activity monitor.

This shows theprocesses that are running on your computer, so you can manage them and see howthey affect your computer’s activity and performance.

Malware can take upresources on your computer, so check the CPU tab to see which applications areworking the hardest.

If you can find thesuspicious application, you can close it through your activity monitor and thendelete the application from the Finder menu.

To check your activity monitor:

1. Open Finder
2. Select “Applications”
3. Select “Utilities”
4. Select “Activity Monitor”
5. Select “Application”
6. Select “Quit”

Step 4: Run a malware scanner

Fortunately, malwarescanners can remove most standard infections. If you already have anantivirusprogram active on your computer, you should usea different scanner for this malware check since your current antivirussoftware may not detect the malware initially.

If you believe yourcomputer is infected, we recommend downloading an on-demand scanner from areliable source and then installing and running security software that providesprotection against existing and emerging malware, includingransomwareand viruses.

Step5: Verify your browser’s homepage

It’s common for malwareto modify your web browser’s homepage to reinfect your Mac. Check your homepageand connection settings using the steps below.

Note that you will needto connect your computer to the internet to complete the following steps.

To verify your homepage on Chrome:

1. In the top right corner of your Chrome browser,click More → Settings.
2. Select the drop-down menu in the “Searchengine” section.
3. Verify your default homepage.

To verify your homepage on Safari:

1. In the top left corner of your screen,select Safari → Preferences → General.
2. Next to “New windows open with” and “Newtabs open with,” select “Homepage.”
3. Next to “Homepage,” you will verify yourdefault homepage.

Step6: Clear your cache

After you’ve verifiedyour homepage setting, you should clear your browser’s cache. This is atemporary storage location on your computer.

Data is saved here soyour browser doesn’t need to download it each time. Follow the steps below tolearn how to clear your cache for Chrome and Safari.

To clear your cache on Chrome:

1. Open Chrome
2. Select “History”
3. Select “Clear Browsing Data”
4. Select “Time Range”
5. Select “All Time”
6. Select “Clear Data”

To clear your cache on Safari:

1. Open Safari
2. Select “Preferences”
3. Select “Privacy”
4. Select “Manage Website Data”
5. Select “Remove All”

How to remove malware from a PC

Follow these six stepsto malware removal on a PC.

Step1: Disconnect from the internet

Disconnecting from theinternet will prevent more of your data from being sent to a malware server orthe malware from spreading further.

Step2: Enter safe mode

If malware is set toload automatically, this will prevent the malware from loading, making iteasier to remove.

To enter safe mode:

1. Restart your PC.
2. When you see the sign-in screen, hold downthe Shift key and select Power → Restart.
3. After your PC restarts, to the “Choose anoption” screen, select Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings.
4. On the next window, click the Restartbutton and wait for the next screen to appear.
5. A menu will appear with numbered startupoptions. Select number 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode.

Disclaimer: Avoid logging into accounts duringmalware removal.

To avoid sharing yourpersonally identifiable information, do not log into sensitive accounts whileyour device is infected.

Step3: Check your activity monitor for malicious applications

If you know you’veinstalled a suspicious update or application, close the application if it’srunning.

Your activity monitorshows the processes that are running on your computer, so you can see how theyaffect your computer’s activity and performance.

To check for malicious applications:

1. Open Resource Monitor
2. Find task
3. Select “End Process”

Step 4: Run a malware scanner

Luckily, malware scanners can remove many standard infections. But remember that if you already have an antivirus program active on your computer, you should use a different scanner for this malware check since your current antivirus software may not detect the malware initially.

Step 5: Fix your web browser

Malware is likely tomodify your web browser’s homepage to reinfect your PC. Check your homepage andconnection settings using the steps below for common browsers.

To verify your homepage on Chrome:

1. In the top rightcorner of your Chrome browser, click “More,” then “Settings.”
2. Select the drop-downmenu in the “Search engine” section.
3. Verify your defaulthomepage.
   

To verify your homepage on Internet Explorer:

1. Select the Tools icon.
2. Click Internet options.
3. In the General tab, find the “Search” section and click Settings.
4. Verify your default homepage.

Step 6: Clear your cache

After you’ve verifiedyour homepage setting, it’s imperative to clear your browser’s cache. Followthe steps below to learn how to clear your cache for Chrome and InternetExplorer.

To clear your cache on Chrome:

1. Find History
2. Select “Clear Browsing Data”
3. Select “All Time” from Time Range drop-downmenu
4. Select “Clear Data”

What if malware removal is unsuccessful?

If malware removal isunsuccessful, sometimes the only way to be sure your computer is free ofmalware is to entirely reinstall the operating system and your applications orprograms from scratch.

Before wiping your harddrive, backup all your files to an external drive and consult Apple support orMicrosoft support before beginning the process. Learn how toerase your startup diskprior to reinstalling MacOS in the steps below:

To reinstall MacOS:

1. Open Finder
2. Select “Applications”
3. Select “Utilities”
4. Select “Disk Utility”
5. Select “Erase”

To reinstall Windows:

Follow the factoryrestore options. Windows gives you the option to keep your files or removeeverything.

1. Find the Start button
2. Select “Settings”
3. Select “Recovery Options”
4. Select “Reset this PC”
5. Select “Remove everything”

How to help protect yourdevices from malware

Malware or viruses geton your computer in a handful of ways, so it’s a good idea for computer ownersto develop good online habits to avoid an infection. Use our best practicesbelow to help protect your computer:

• Avoid suspicious emails, links, and websites. Sometimes malware or viruses are disguised asan image file, word processing document, or PDF that you open. Additionally, ifyou find a strange new file on your desktop, do not open it.
• Clear your downloads and empty your trash often. If you’ve deleted downloads or moved suspiciousfiles to the trash, empty the trash immediately after.
• Create strong passwords. Once you’re sure the computer virus infectionhas been cleaned up, change all your passwords, using unique combinations ofletters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use words found in the dictionary sincethey can be cracked via a dictionary attack. To help create, manage, andsecurely store all your passwords, consider using apassword manager.

Malware is a dangerousthreat to the data that computer owners store on their PCs and Macs. New typesof malware are being discovered frequently, and the profitable nature ofmalware makes it especially attractive to cybercriminals.Having virus protection for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices can assist in preventing these threats.

It’s important toexercisegood cyber hygiene habitsand understand the signs of a malwareinfection. If you suspect your computer is infected, act as soon as possible toprevent the spread of malware and protect your personal information.

If you have a WindowsPC, try theNorton Power Erasernext time your computer detects a threat. It isfree to download and can remove both malware and viruses.

Howto remove malware FAQ

Still have questionsabout how to remove malware from your Mac or PC? We’ve got answers.

Howdo devices become infected with malware?

Devices can becomeinfected with malware when users interact with email scams, fake websites, ormalicious software.

Howdo I remove malware from Windows 10?

Begin a malware scan onyour Windows PC and remove any malicious software that is present on yourdevice. If the malware can’t be removed by this process, consider enabling afactory reset.

Howdo I remove malware from Android?

Begin by making sureyourAndroid deviceis updated with the latest software updates.Open the Google Play Store settings and select “Verify Apps.” Remove anyuntrusted apps from your device.

Howdo I remove malware from iPhone?

Begin by installing thelatest software updates on your iPhone. Clear your device’s browsing historyand restart the device. If malware is still present, consider restoring anolder version of your iPhone from the cloud.

Howdo I remove malware from iPad?

Begin by installing thelatest software updates to your iPad. Clear your device’s browsing history andrestart the device. If malware is still present, consider enabling a factoryreset.

Willa factory reset remove malware?

In most cases, afactory reset can remove malware from your device. It should be used as thelast line of defense if you want to protect any files located on the device.

Whatis a malware scan?

A malware scan is aprocess performed by computer software that detects malware on your device.

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