How to scan external hard drives for viruses and malware on iMac?

Does anyone know any software app for scanning external hard drives for viruses and all kinds of malware when they are connected to your iMac by USB cables? I have asked Malwarebytes support but they said Malwarebytes don't check external hard drives. I was wondering if there is any other Mac software app alternatives for examining external hard drives for possible viruses and all sorts of malware and cleaning them?

I am running macOS Ventura 13.5 on my iMac.

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.5

Posted on Aug 2, 2023 07:51 AM

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Posted on Aug 2, 2023 11:25 AM

Here's my 2¢ worth just to emphasize what you've already been told:


First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  


Also, unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they aprovide false secutiry from a privacy standpoint.  Read these two articles: Public VPN's are anything but private and Former Malware Distributor Kape Technologies Now Owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Zenmate, and a Collection of VPN “Review” Websites


Just some food for thought.


7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 2, 2023 11:25 AM in response to Green1288

Here's my 2¢ worth just to emphasize what you've already been told:


First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  


Also, unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they aprovide false secutiry from a privacy standpoint.  Read these two articles: Public VPN's are anything but private and Former Malware Distributor Kape Technologies Now Owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Zenmate, and a Collection of VPN “Review” Websites


Just some food for thought.


Aug 2, 2023 08:44 AM in response to Green1288

Green1288 wrote:

Does anyone know any software app for scanning external hard drives for viruses and all kinds of malware when they are connected to your iMac by USB cables? I have asked Malwarebytes support but they said Malwarebytes don't check external hard drives. I was wondering if there is any other Mac software app alternatives for examining external hard drives for possible viruses and all sorts of malware and cleaning them?
I am running macOS Ventura 13.5 on my iMac.


Is this a bootable external drive(?)


If this external is storage only—are you having some issue, which you do not state above...?




Effective defenses against malware and other threats… - Apple Community

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community



Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls ...

Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support




Aug 2, 2023 11:22 AM in response to Green1288

Green1288 wrote:

Does anyone know any software app for scanning external hard drives for viruses and all kinds of malware when they are connected to your iMac by USB cables? I have asked Malwarebytes support but they said Malwarebytes don't check external hard drives. I was wondering if there is any other Mac software app alternatives for examining external hard drives for possible viruses and all sorts of malware and cleaning them?
I am running macOS Ventura 13.5 on my iMac.



This goes way back...


Uninstall your third party AV and your issue will magically go away...

ref: Norton alerted me to OSX.Trojan.Gen in 10… - Apple Community


Third party AntiVirus is not recommended— it typically does nothing but add issues to the macOS and competes directly with Apple’s own built in security:


 macOS - Security - Apple  macOS - Security - Apple


Apple Platform Security - Apple Apple Platform Security - Apple Support



Norton has to find something to report— to justify the good money you spent...

Everybody is after your money, what better way then invoking FUD— Fear, uncertainty, and doubt

Aug 2, 2023 11:02 AM in response to Green1288

Green1288 wrote:

I have recently got a OSX.Trojan.Gen.2 malware in one of my Time Machine backups.
I have Norton Deluxe 360 antivirus software that detected this virus and it was quarantined.

Norton is one of the worst things you can install on a Mac. It's now also owned by a company that, while claiming to secure your identity for a fee, has had numerous data breaches. Totally untrustworthy.

I want to scan my external hard drive with Time Machine backups for any additional malware with another antivirus software. I want to do the same for my other external hard drive that stores data for further malware with other antivirus program.

Please read the articles that leroydouglas linked to above. They are some of the best information on how to protect your computer currently available.

Aug 2, 2023 10:03 AM in response to leroydouglas

One of my external hard drive stores Time Machine backups. My other external hard drive saves data.


I have recently got a OSX.Trojan.Gen.2 malware in one of my Time Machine backups.

I have Norton Deluxe 360 antivirus software that detected this virus and it was quarantined.


I want to scan my external hard drive with Time Machine backups for any additional malware with another antivirus software. I want to do the same for my other external hard drive that stores data for further malware with other antivirus program.

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How to scan external hard drives for viruses and malware on iMac?

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