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The appeal of Apple products is significant for many, owing to advantages offered by its software, such as reliable performance, a high-quality user interface, and a feature-rich ecosystem. And yet, despite their utility and relatively strong assurances of data security, malware and viruses remain a concern for many.
For this reason, Apple's built-in malware protection system, the XProtectService, is incredibly valuable for safeguarding macOS devices and has established a strong antivirus protocol. This system is continually updated to accurately defend against both old and new virus threats. Read on for more details.
What is XProtectService? XProtectService is a security component in Apple's macOS operating system, which is part of the XProtect anti-malware system. XProtect works by using regularly updated rules and signatures to detect and block potential malware or viruses that may pose a threat to Mac computers. This service runs automatically in the background, scanning files and applications on the system to ensure they are not infected by known malware. If any suspicious activity or malware is detected, XProtectService takes actions to protect the user's system, such as quarantining or removing the threat. In short, XProtectService is an integrated security tool in Apple's macOS X and later versions, designed to protect users from malware attacks.
Yes, XProtectService is an inherent security feature in Mac devices that serves as a defense against viruses and malicious software. However, it offers more than just basic antivirus capabilities.
This feature focuses on the removal of malware and signature-based detection. The latter uses YARA signatures, which are continually updated. It monitors for any new malware affecting your device and, in addition to system updates (which must be done manually), it automatically updates the signatures. It can immediately analyze known malware and prevent its execution.
Notable Features:
New signature-based malware assessment - On devices running macOS 10.15 and later, this service begins immediately when you start a new app, update an app in the file system, or an XProtect signature changes. If malware is detected, the software is automatically blocked, and the user is notified immediately.
Removal of infections - The Xprotectservice feature also includes an engine that removes any infections after installing system and security updates. It periodically checks for new malware infections without restarting your macOS device.
Alert after installation from third party – The software checks files you download and warns you if you've installed an app from a source outside the Mac App Store, such as from email, Chrome, Safari, or iChat. The warning includes details about the download, such as the website it came from and when it was downloaded.
How to run the Xprotectservice
Now that you're familiar with the capabilities of Xprotect software, let's discuss how to run it. You need to follow a set of steps to enable software updates regularly.
Step 1: Click the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences.”
Choose “System Preferences.”
Step 2: Open the App Store from the System Preferences menu. The preferences pane will open.
Step 3: Check the boxes for “Install system data files and security updates” and “Automatically check for updates,” so that Xprotectservice runs continuously.
Step 4: The software checks for updated entries on Apple's approved list of malware. The command is:
Inspect /System/Library/CoreServices/XProtect.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.plist
So, if you want to check for a specific variant, like “A1” of OSX.Dok.B, you would run the following command:
cat /System/Library/CoreServices/XProtect.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.plist |grep -A1 "Version", or
This command is used in the terminal to view the XProtect.plist file on a Mac operating system, searching for the entry "OSX.Dok.B" and displaying the line above it. "OSX.Dok.B" is a specific variant of malware.
If there's a match, it'll appear after you press Enter.
How to disable Xprotectservice
You can follow the steps mentioned in Part 3 for the automatic update of Xprotectservice. However, when you upgrade from macOS High Sierra to a newer version of macOS, such as macOS Catalina, you get the latest Xcode build. This can slow down your system while checking out multiple app files in Xprotect.plist.
Here, you can disable the software activation lock on your device by putting it in recovery mode. However, this will also disable the entire System Integrity Protection (SIP) feature. You can do this temporarily and reactivate it soon. Otherwise, your device will be vulnerable to various malicious codes and unable to protect itself.
Step 1: Restart your macOS device while holding down the “Option + Command + R” keys. Wait for the startup sound.
Step 2: Go to Utilities > Terminal.
Step 3: Run the following command, and then restart your device:
csrutil disable
Step 4. Follow Steps 1-3 to enable SIP. Instead of entering the disable command, enter:
Enable csrutil
Step 5: Restart your Mac.
Resolving the "Xprotectservice High CPU Usage" Error on Mac
The previous commands allow you to disable Xprotectservice because of its large database that might slow down your Mac. However, you can also fix the high CPU usage caused by Xprotectservice without disabling it altogether with a specific solution.
Solution 1: Check the CPU status in Activity Monitor
Even without active apps, the system might run slowly, and it may take a while to wake up the device. If you don't see an obvious cause, you can open Activity Monitor > CPU to see what all your apps are up to.
Look for any apps that are running in the background without your knowledge. Tap the “X” icon next to the app you want to disable. Do not force quit “kernel_task” if you see it running in the background, even if it's using a lot of resources. It's an important part of the operating system, and ending it this way can cause problems with your system.
Solution 2: Disable third-party extensions or multiple active apps
If your system's fan produces more heat and noise when running slow, you can disable multiple applications or any third-party software connected to it, as this is usually the cause. Follow the steps in Solution 1 to stop app functionalities. If the fan is faulty, you should consult a hardware expert or have it replaced.
Solution 3: Disable third-party apps
The CPU might underperform due to incompatibility with certain third-party apps. You can uninstall them using the Activity Monitor.
Solution 4: Reset the SMC/NVRAM/PRAM after updating the operating system
Recent system updates can sometimes cause issues related to the system, due to new extensions and security changes introduced. You can reset the SMC by turning off your device and disconnecting the power cable for 20 seconds. After that, reconnect the power cable and hold down "Shift + Option + Control + Power" keys for 10 seconds. Release the keys and then restart your device.
Alternatively, you can reset the NVRAM/PRAM by restarting your Mac and holding down "Option + Command + P + R" after you hear the startup sound. Wait for your device to restart.
Solution 5: Get the database in PDF format
You can download and install PDFelement on your macOS device, which allows you to use its OCR feature to scan and detect the Xprotectservice device, saving the data in a transferrable file format. You can also create electronic signatures, edit PDF files, and save them elsewhere after sharing. This way, you can free up your device from files that might be causing it to run slowly.
Conclusions
XProtectService is a powerful software on Mac devices that safeguards them from malware. It analyzes all known viruses before they can affect the device. To rectify the issue of a slow CPU, ensure the program is running correctly and take preventative measures during system updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Users still have some questions about specific concepts and details of XProtectService. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers.
1. Does Apple have virus-scanning software?
Apple devices include a virus scanner called XProtect, which checks for malware signatures that match a regularly updated database of known malicious software. Another tool, the Malware Removal Tool (MRT), automatically removes malware and checks for infections on login or restart.
2. What is notarization for the File Quarantine System (XProtect)?
Virus scanning is built into the notarization process, which XProtect uses to check new apps. In addition, macOS's built-in Gatekeeper feature blocks users from launching any app that has not passed through the notarization screen.
Is XProtectService pre-installed on all Macs?
XProtect was introduced in 2009 and was initially available in macOS X 10.6, Snow Leopard. It has been built into every macOS device and version since then.