Virus alert

Hello,


Get a "Critical virus alert or System is at risk" notification about 10x every day.

It comes from McAfee, while I don't use it at all. How can I get rid of this?

Posted on Feb 7, 2023 08:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 7, 2023 09:06 AM

You can get rid of that virus alert by completely uninstalling that McAfee anti-virus junk and not using any other A/V product. You are receiving false positives from a background McAfee process of likely valid System and other application files, and not real, self-replicating viruses which are not on the Mac. Windows targeted malware cannot run on the Mac.


You may however, have other non-virus malware that you may have inadvertently installed by downloaded software or documents from non-vendor sites. For that removal, I would recommend the free Malwarebytes, and nothing else. You can remove it from your Mac from its Help menu.


The operating system on Ventura is on a read-only, code-signed partition and nothing can get installed there.


See: macOS - Security - Apple


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 7, 2023 09:06 AM in response to henkvanboven

You can get rid of that virus alert by completely uninstalling that McAfee anti-virus junk and not using any other A/V product. You are receiving false positives from a background McAfee process of likely valid System and other application files, and not real, self-replicating viruses which are not on the Mac. Windows targeted malware cannot run on the Mac.


You may however, have other non-virus malware that you may have inadvertently installed by downloaded software or documents from non-vendor sites. For that removal, I would recommend the free Malwarebytes, and nothing else. You can remove it from your Mac from its Help menu.


The operating system on Ventura is on a read-only, code-signed partition and nothing can get installed there.


See: macOS - Security - Apple


Feb 7, 2023 09:24 AM in response to henkvanboven

To add to the very good suggestion above


There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


Additionally, specific to Big Sur macOS 11 and above. The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User.


The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.


AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need for their Product.


The The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.


Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions


 McAfee, ⬅️


Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.

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Virus alert

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