How To Scan For Malware & Viruses In Microsoft Defender For Mac
Apple’s Mac lineup is praised globally for its quality and performance. The laptops are increasingly efficient with Apple’s own silicon. You can evenimprove your MacBook’s battery life by changing a few settings. However, despite the advantages that macOS brings over Windows, it isn’t perfect. For starters, a current-generation MacBook with reasonable RAM and storage options costs an arm and a leg.
Anotherbig myth about Mac computers you need to stop believingis that they can’t get infected with viruses like Windows laptops and PCs. In fact, any operating system is prone to malware as long as there’s a vulnerability left open for bad actors to exploit. Sure, the much larger user base of Windows makes it a more lucrative target for trojans and viruses, but your shiny new Apple laptop or desktop computer isn’t immune to the dangers of the internet.
There is an abundance ofhighly rated antivirus programs you can use, with some options that support macOS as well. Microsoft Defender is one such software package, coming as a bit of a surprise given how it has been tailor-made for Windows for years. Here’s how you can utilize Microsoft’s antivirus solution on your MacBook, iMac, or other macOS devices.
Setting up Microsoft Defender on Mac
Unlike on Windows, Microsoft Defender isn’t free to use on Mac. However, as long as you have a Microsoft 365 Individual or Family subscription, you will be able to download and use the antivirus software. Once you’ve installed theMicrosoft Defenderapp on your macOS device, you will be prompted to log in to your account. After license verification, the dashboard will guide you through the setup process.
We recommend you enable notifications for Microsoft Defender to receive time-sensitive alerts about potential malware on your Mac.
Scanning for malware on macOS
Now that everything is set up, head to the dashboard and click on “Device protection.” Here, Microsoft Defender will list information about any malicious apps or files. Click on “Start scan” to begin hunting for suspicious and harmful content on your Mac. Depending on the mode selected and the number of files on your device, the scan may take anywhere from a few seconds to an hour. Microsoft Defender will then display a list of active threats if it finds any.
