can running a full system virus scan seriously mess with your computer?
March 12, 2022 5:11 PM Subscribe
In multitasking distracted mode I clicked on a nefarious spoof link in my email. I got a big red warning and clicked away. I don't *think* I downloaded anything but I did click.
Then I installed Sophos to run a virus scan. It is taking all day. Meanwhile...
... my macbook air is really acting like it has a virus: constant spinning beach ball, -- even "force quit" has the beach ball -- nothing working, really long time rebooting, everything freezing and at a molasses pace.
But ... I'm also running the sophos "full system scan" which they say is only recommended if they have detected something suspicious.
*I do know that normal constant virus scanning in the background can slow your performance somewhat, but this is an active full system scan AND a simultaneous nightmare of crashing and freezing and beachballs, not a slightly slower performance.
Q: Do I actually have a virus on here, or is it possible that the Sophos system scan is actually making my computer mimic virusy behavior?
I am in a situation where I can't get professional IT help for a couple of weeks and I don't have another computer.
... my macbook air is really acting like it has a virus: constant spinning beach ball, -- even "force quit" has the beach ball -- nothing working, really long time rebooting, everything freezing and at a molasses pace.
But ... I'm also running the sophos "full system scan" which they say is only recommended if they have detected something suspicious.
*I do know that normal constant virus scanning in the background can slow your performance somewhat, but this is an active full system scan AND a simultaneous nightmare of crashing and freezing and beachballs, not a slightly slower performance.
Q: Do I actually have a virus on here, or is it possible that the Sophos system scan is actually making my computer mimic virusy behavior?
I am in a situation where I can't get professional IT help for a couple of weeks and I don't have another computer.
Best answer: MalwareBytes, as rockindata mentions, is the bees knees and the apes drapes of anti-virus detection software for the Mac.
In the Applications/Utilities folder is a program called Activity Monitor. If you open it, you'll see if any particular application is monopolizing the computer. (You can sort by clicking on the header for any column.)
posted by blob at 9:11 PM on March 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
In the Applications/Utilities folder is a program called Activity Monitor. If you open it, you'll see if any particular application is monopolizing the computer. (You can sort by clicking on the header for any column.)
posted by blob at 9:11 PM on March 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You might also hold the Shift key on startup to get Safe Mode. It has less stuff running so you can let it get on with the scan. Malwarebytes is the peak recommendation for scanner.
posted by k3ninho at 11:53 AM on March 13, 2022
posted by k3ninho at 11:53 AM on March 13, 2022
I tried Sophos on my Mac, it was one of the worst pieces of software I ever used. Bitdefender is much lighter weight, though it does cost $20 a year. At a minimum, it's smart enough to only scan files that are new, instead of churning through all disks, including all Time Machine backup volumes, every single time. I can't comment on whether it is actually a good antivirus.
posted by wnissen at 5:17 PM on March 14, 2022
posted by wnissen at 5:17 PM on March 14, 2022
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You can’t install anything too nefarious without entering a password, but you can get some malware. I have found MalwareBytes to be a reasonable tool for cleaning occasional crap off my dad’s MacBook.
posted by rockindata at 6:12 PM on March 12, 2022 [3 favorites]