Generally you should use the removal program that comes with the main program to uninstall it, see Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac: How to uninstall for instructions. Having tried the regular uninstaller or if you deleted built-in removal program, this article provides a standalone tool to remove the installed Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac.
What are you to do when you have a computer problem so bad that your computer won't start at all and you're pretty sure a virus or some other malware is to blame? How do you scan for viruses when you can't start Windows to do a virus scan?
- In order to uninstall Kaspersky Security for Mac using the uninstallation tool, perform the following actions: Download the standard uninstallation tool for Kaspersky Security for Mac. Double-click the downloaded archive.
- Download ESET Tools and Utilities. ESET Online Scanner. Stand-alone tools to remove particularly resilient threats, including rogue antivirus programs, antispyware programs and other malware. Fast and powerful antivirus for your Mac. Compare all for Mac. Multi-Device Multi-Device.
This is where a bootable antivirus program becomes the hero of the day. With a bootable virus scanner, you create a special flash drive or CD/DVD disc from a working computer and then use it on the infected machine to scan the hard drive for viruses—all without needing to start Windows!
Since the most serious of viruses cause damage to the parts of your computer that allow it to start, a bootable antivirus tool can often be a powerful weapon at your disposal for getting the virus removed and your computer back up and running.
In general, getting a bootable antivirus program up and running requires that you take the ISO image provided and then, from a working computer, burn it to a disc or burn it to a USB drive. Next, you'll need to boot from the disc or boot from the flash drive on the infected PC. More details are available in our reviews and on the bootable AV program websites.
Anvi Rescue Disk
What We Like
Really easy to use
Lets you scan the whole drive or certain folders only
Can run a quick or full scan
Able to repair malicious changes made to the registry
Relatively small download size
Anvi Rescue Disk is a really simple bootable virus scanner. There are only three main scan buttons, two sections to the program, and no custom settings.
You can run a quick smart scan, a full system scan, or a custom scan to search for malware inside one or more specific folders.
There's also a section for finding and correcting corrupt registry issues that may have been altered by a virus.
The only thing I don't like about Anvi Rescue Disk is that you must scan the whole drive at once—you can not choose to scan single, specific files like you can with regular antivirus software.
AVG Rescue CD
What We Like
Scans things most bootable AV programs do not
Lets you check for viruses on any attached hard drive
Includes other tools like a hard drive tester
What We Don't Like
Doesn't have a graphical interface like most programs, so it might be hard to use if you're not used to that type of UI
Doesn't offer definition updates
AVG Rescue CD is a text-only free bootable antivirus program. It can check for potentially unwanted programs, scan cookies, find hidden file extensions, and even scan inside archives.
Before you start a scan with AVG Rescue CD, you have the option to just scan a folder of your choice, just the boot sector, only the registry, or any locally attached hard drive.
Unfortunately, because AVG Rescue CD doesn't provide a graphical interface, navigating the menus can become difficult.
AVG no longer updates or maintains this program, so the virus definitions will forever be outdated. You can still scan normally, but it won't catch brand new threats.
Avira Rescue System
What We Like
Updates its definitions automatically before scans
Uses a regular, graphical interface instead of text only
Easier to install than some bootable antivirus programs
Includes other tools you might like
What We Don't Like
Scans a whole partition at once without the option to check particular files only
Large download size
Avira Rescue System is a free bootable antivirus program that also functions as a registry editor, web browser, and more, all under a standard graphical interface.
Avira Rescue System automatically updates its definitions before performing a scan, which is great so you don't have to re-download the software every time you wish to use it.
During a virus scan, compressed files are unpacked and scanned for added protection.
Avira Rescue System doesn't let you scan individual files, but only a whole partition at once, which is too bad. Also, the download is rather large at over 650 MB.
Comodo Rescue Disk
What We Like
You can scan specific files/folders or the whole drive
Includes an option to skip scanning certain files
Supports multiple scan types based on what you want to scan
Lets you pick between a graphical UI and one that's text only
Checks for updates automatically
Relatively small download size
Antivirus Protection For Mac
What We Don't Like
It's difficult to use the file/folder-level scan option
In addition to the regular, installable Comodo Antivirus software, Comodo also has a free bootable antivirus program.
Comodo Rescue Disk can be launched from a USB device or disc in either text-only mode or with a full graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI version has a familiar program interface which is much easier to use.
There are three different scan types you can start with Comodo Rescue Disk: smart scan, full scan, or custom scan.
Smart scan checks for viruses and rootkits in the memory, boot sectors, autorun entries, and other areas like the registry and system folder. A custom scan lets you choose individual files and folders to scan instead of an entire drive.
You can also scan archives, enable heuristics scanning, and skip files over a specified size.
I love that Comodo Rescue Disk includes a familiar Desktop-like interface because it makes it easier to use than some of these other text-based scanning tools.
Dr.Web LiveDisk
What We Like
Custom options not found in some of these other bootable AV programs
Lets you define the types of files it should scan
Checks for virus definition updates from within the software
Runs from a disc or flash drive
What We Don't Like
The large setup file might take a while to download for some
Dr.Web LiveDisk is a feature-filled free bootable virus scanner for Windows and Linux.
There are plenty of configurable settings, like choosing the actions Dr.Web should take when finding infected, suspicious, or incurable files. Also, you can set what should occur in the event it detects specific issues like adware, dialers, jokes, hacktools, and riskware.
You can also exclude directories from being scanned, set how large a file can be before it's excluded from a scan, and define a maximum duration Dr.Web is allowed to spend scanning a single file.
I like that Dr.Web can check for virus definition updates directly from the program. This means you can reuse the program in the future and all you have to do is update it before you do a scan.
You can install Dr.Web LiveDisk to a USB device or a disc, but either method is still a rather large download, at over 700 MB in size.
Kaspersky Rescue Disk
What We Like
Lets you scan specific folders, the whole drive, and other areas
Scans for many types of malware
You get to choose which interface to use: graphical or text
Includes other tools
Kaspersky has what's called a Rescue Disk, which can scan for viruses, worms, Trojans, malicious tools, adware, dialers, and other malicious items.
You can pick between using the graphical mode (recommended) or the text-only mode.
Your scan options include Fileless objects, Startup objects, and System drive. You can also scan boot sectors and specific folders.
You can also use Kaspersky's tool to browse through the file system to copy or delete files. The Firefox browser is also built in to Kaspersky Rescue Disk, among many other tools.
The only downfall I can find with Kaspersky Rescue Disk is that the download file is rather large, and may, therefore, take some time to download.
Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO
What We Like
Works in Windows 10 and older Windows OSs
Updates automatically
Can scan specific files, folders, and hard drives
Small download size (under 200 MB)
What We Don't Like
Doesn't function as a true bootable AV program
Doesn't work if the virus is blocking access to your computer
Isn't as easy to use as similar tools
Panda Rescue ISO is a program that allows the freePanda Cloud Cleaner program to scan a computer without any other running processes that could potentially shut it down and prevent a virus scan.
First, you must boot to the Panda Rescue ISO disc to prepare your computer for running Panda Cloud Cleaner. Next, your computer will reboot into Windows but launch the cleaner before any other applications start. All other processes are shut down so that Panda Cloud Cleaner is less likely to be terminated by a virus.
The problem I have with this tool is that it may not work properly if a virus has infected your computer so deeply that you can't even boot into Windows. If this is the case, you'll want to try any of the other tools in this list that don't require Windows to boot.
Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus
What We Like
Supports two scan types
Includes an option that lets you delete specific files
What We Don't Like
Runs in a text-only mode
Lacks custom scan options
Takes a while to reach the actual download link on the download page
Not many custom settings or options are available in Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus except choosing one of two different scan types.
A Recommended Scan can either rename infected files or just display a log of the malicious items that were found. An Advanced Scan will actually remove any infected files it detects.
There's also a Bash Shell menu option for manually removing viruses. This option is only useful if you know where the malicious items are, which isn't very likely.
You must answer several questions before you can get to the download link.
Advanced steps are necessary to get the Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus ISO file. You must read the instructions carefully in order to download the program. It ends up requiring around 360 MB of free space.
Trend Micro Rescue Disk
What We Like
There are two scan types you can run
Fairly easy to use considering the lack of advanced options
What We Don't Like
Doesn't have a graphical interface
Trend Micro Rescue Disk is another free bootable antivirus tool that doesn't have a graphical interface, meaning you'll need to navigate entirely in text mode with the arrow keys.
You can run a quick scan or a full scan depending on what areas you'd like checked.
Trend Micro Rescue Disk is first downloaded as a regular program file that includes the bootable software. Just choose to install it on a USB device or CD.
Windows Defender Offline
What We Like
Several exclusion settings to customize the scan
Virus definition updates are supported directly from the disc
Has a graphical UI instead of text
What We Don't Like
Downloads as an EXE file instead of directly as an ISO
From Microsoft, Windows Defender Offline is a bootable virus scanner that sports a full user interface.
You can update the virus definitions directly from the disc, view quarantined files, and exclude files, folders, and extension types from scans.
Windows Defender Offline supports quick virus scans, full scans, and custom scans so you can choose your own folders and drives to scan.
The Windows Defender Offline tool from the download link can burn the software to a disc or USB device for you, so no image burning software is necessary. See Am I Running a 32-bit or 64-bit Version of Windows? to know which download file to select.
Zillya! LiveCD
What We Like
Runs with a full desktop interface
Lets you scan a whole drive or specific folders only
Includes a tool to fix corrupt MBR problems
Easier to use than some bootable AV programs
Mcafee Antivirus Removal Tool
What We Don't Like
Lacks really advanced scan settings found in similar programs
Can't scan specific files only
Zillya! LiveCD can scan entire drives or whole folders only, so it won't scan just single files.
There's an option to check for viruses in potentially dangerous file types like executables so you're not scanning every single file type, which could take a long time.
A utility called Zillya! MBR Recovery is available from this bootable disc, which can scan the MBR for viruses and attempt to fix boot issues caused by a corrupt MBR.
I like all the settings that are included in Zillya! LiveCD as well as the fact that it provides a very easy to use interface.
ESET SysRescue Live
What We Like
Super easy to use.
Advanced settings if you want to use them.
Complete desktop environment.
ESET SysRescue is another bootable virus scanner that you can use for free from a CD, DVD, or USB device. It comes from the company ESET, which also sells security software for home users and businesses.
This tool provides a full desktop environment, so if you're uncomfortable with text-only user interfaces, you should be okay with how this one works. There's a start menu, desktop items for other tools like TeamViewer and GParted, a file browser, and of course a shortcut to ESET SysRescue.
The virus scanner itself is very easy to use and can be used quickly without any customizations. From the On-demand scan page, just choose the option you want to use: Smart scan to check only some areas for malware—specifically, common locations malware is found; or choose Custom scan to run an in-depth, full scan of any area of the drive, including the whole thing.
However, you can change advanced settings if you want. Some of the scan settings include choosing which object types to scan—such as files, symbolic links, email files, archives, self-extracting archives, boot sectors, and others. You can also enable heuristics, detect PuPs, exclude specific file extensions, and set scan limits on files of a certain size.
When you first run the program, you're given the option to not only run SysRescue but also check for errors on the disc or in the memory.
VBA32 Rescue
What We Like
Has lots of scan options you can tweak
What We Don't Like
Might be hard to use because of the text-only interface
Download is around 200 MB
VBA32 doesn't support a graphical interface but it makes up for it in its detailed settings.
There are plenty of options in this program, like choosing which drives to scan, defining a set of file types to scan, choosing to scan inside archives, and deciding a default action when a malicious file is detected.
You can also adjust the heuristic scan settings and update virus definitions directly from the CD or USB drive.
The obvious downfall to VBA32 Rescue is that you must use it in a text-only mode, unlike most of these other tools that have a regular, graphical interface.
Bitdefender Rescue CD
What We Like
Provides a full desktop experience
Has multiple scan options
Supports scanning particular folders apart from the whole drive
What We Don't Like
Large download at over 800 MB
Start time is slow compared to similar tools
Outdated virus signatures
Program no longer updates
Bitdefender Rescue CD is a free bootable virus scanner program that can exclude certain file extensions from a scan, lets you choose the maximum file size Bitdefender Rescue CD should scan, and optionally include archives with a scan.
Bitdefender Rescue CD lets you search in individual folders if you wish to target a specific directory and not the whole drive.
The most important downfall with this program is that it's no longer supported, so you won't get any new updates, virus signatures, features, etc. Another thing we don't like about Bitdefender Rescue CD is that it takes quite a long time to start up when you boot into the program.
PC Tools' Alternate Operating System Scanner
What We Like
Very simple and easy to use
You can start running a scan in seconds
Includes other helpful tools that work best when run outside of the OS
What We Don't Like
Lacks custom scan settings
Download is large at over 350 MB
This utility is a bit different than the others in this list because PC Tools' Alternate Operating System Scanner is a portion of a larger suite.
The whole suite includes not only a virus scanner but also a system shell, file manager, data destruction utility, and file recovery tool.
If malicious files are found, PC Tools' Alternate Operating System Scanner will show a results page where you can disable them so they can't do any harm to your other files.
The main thing I like about this tool is that there aren't any custom settings (which could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective). It works as quickly as choosing the drive to scan and then waiting for the results.
The official website that used to host AOSS is no longer operational, so if the link above doesn't work to download AOSS, try this one from the Wayback Machine.
F-Secure Rescue CD
What We Like
Easy to use because there aren't lots of options to get confused about
Not as large of a download as some similar programs
What We Don't Like
Updates are no longer performed
Doesn't have advanced scan options
Missing the familiar graphical UI, so it could be hard to use
F-Secure Rescue CD is a simple bootable antivirus program. It works without any graphical user interface, so it might be a bit confusing.
There are hardly any options or user input except pressing the Enter key to confirm the start of a scan.
Yes, Macs can get malware. Beyond traditional viruses, worms, and Trojans, there’s now a thriving ecosystem of adware and spyware programs that bombard you with ads and spy on your web browsing, just like on Windows.
Macs do have some integrated protection against malware, but it isn’t perfect. Crucially, that protection against malware doesn’t block all the adware and spyware bundled with application downloads.
Use Malwarebytes for Mac
RELATED:Mac OS X Isn’t Safe Anymore: The Crapware / Malware Epidemic Has Begun
Malwarebytes makes well-regarded security utilities for Windows. Malwarebytes originally expanded into the Mac security software arena by purchasing and rebranding a popular application named “Adware Medic” that we and others have used successfully in the past.
There are now two versions of Malwarebytes for Mac, a free version and a premium version. The standard scanner that checks for malware on your system and removes it is free. Anyone can manually initiate a scan and remove malware with Malwarebytes for Mac without spending a penny. The Malwarebytes Premium features that will monitor your Mac for malware and spyware, prevent infections before they occur, and automatically download updates do cost money, but Malwarebytes does provide a 30-day free trial.
If you want to remove malware, spyware, and other garbage software from your Mac, we recommend you download and run Malwarebyes. The free version is fine if you just want to check for and remove malware. If you want something that runs in the background, automatically scans your downloads, and monitors your system, you’ll want the paid version.
We’ve been happy with Malwarebytes on Windows for years and recommend it, and the Mac version also seems solid. We recommended it back when it was just an “Adware Medic” tool that could only manually scan your system for malware, and we’re happy the automatic protection features are now available for people who want them.
How to Avoid Malware on a Mac
RELATED:How to Protect Your Mac from Malware
Yes, obnoxious junk software is still a problem on a Mac. Macs do have an anti-malware feature known as “XProtect” or “File quarantine”, but it only blocks a handful of the most nasty pieces of malware after they’ve become widespread. It won’t necessarily block anything new, and it won’t stand in the way of all the adware and spyware out there. You need to follow good online safety practices to avoid malware on a Mac, just like you do on a Windows PC.
Much of the nastiest adware arrives the same way it does on Windows, via junkware-packed installers from application-downloading sites like download.com or via shady advertisements that push you to an unofficial, tainted installer. Get your applications from the Mac App Store or the developer’s website. Avoid running unsigned software—that means only allowing apps downloaded from the “App Store and identified developers”.
Unlike on Windows, there’s no Add/Remove programs window where you can go to see what’s installed and quickly uninstall it on a Mac. On Windows, most of the “legal” crapware allows you to uninstall it from here. On a Mac, it can be tough to know how to uninstall this junk. Malwarebytes should be able to find and uninstall this junkware automatically, which is why it’s so useful.
What About Full Mac Antivirus Programs?
Quite a few antivirus companies are now also creating (and selling) full antivirus programs for macOS. These applications are similar to their Windows equivalents, featuring full background-scanning of all the applications you run and files you access as well as other features. Malwarebytes Premium for Mac now functions in this way, too.
We’ll be honest here—we’re not completely sure what to recommend if you’re looking for a more traditional antivirus program. There haven’t been as many tests that compare Mac antivirus software as there have for Windows antivirus software. Malwarebytes for Mac is a great quick removal tool and now offers automatic scanning features if you want them. It will remove most of the obnoxious software out there, which makes it our main pick. On Windows, most of the antivirus programs won’t even remove this obnoxious adware and spyware (called “potentially unwanted programs” or “PUPs”), so we’re not even sure a full antivirus would even be as good as Malwarebytes at battling the most entry points.
If you do stick to the Mac App Store and keep your software updated, you’re probably fine. On the other hand, if you download a lot of software from the web and potentially even bypass your Mac’s protections to install unsigned applications from unknown developers, an antivirus with full background scanning might be a better idea. However, like on a Windows PC, an antivirus that’s always scanning in the background can make your Mac a bit slower and drain battery life.
We recommend Sophos Home for Mac as the top free antivirus for Mac. AV-TEST gave it good grades and it doesn’t try to install any additional software on your PC. It just requires you create a free Sophos account before you can download it. Give it a try if you’re looking for a free, full-featured antivirus with on-demand scanning. If your Mac is already infected, this application can perform a full system-scan for malware, just as they can on Windows.
“Macs don’t get malware” and “you don’t need antivirus on a Mac” are old pieces of advice that aren’t necessarily true anymore. Macs are vulnerable to malware. For example, the Flashback Trojan at one point infected over 600,000 Macs around the world. Macs also now have a problem with adware and other junkware provided in software installers, just as Windows does.
Malwarebytes for Mac is a solid tool in any Mac user’s toolkit. Full antivirus applications aren’t necessarily as mandatory as they are on Windows yet, but you might want them if you download a lot of applications from the web and are particularly worried.
READ NEXTFree Antivirus For Mac
- › What Can I Do with My Old iPhone?
- › How to Stream UFC 242 Khabib vs. Poirier Live Online
- › Free Download: Microsoft’s PowerToys for Windows 10
- › How to Overclock Your Computer’s RAM
- › What’s New in Chrome 77, Arriving September 10