What is a common indicator of malware on macOS?

Unexpected behaviors or a decline in performance is indeed a common indicator of malware on macOS. When malware infects a system, it often alters the way applications function or the overall operating system behaves, leading to symptoms such as slow performance, crashes, or unresponsiveness. Users may notice applications that open or close unexpectedly, increased system resource usage, or strange pop-ups that are not typical for the software they are using.

This decline in performance can manifest as longer boot times, applications taking longer to launch or respond, and overall sluggishness that detracts from the user experience. These signs are crucial for users to recognize, as they may indicate that their system is compromised and require investigation and action to eliminate the malware and restore the system to proper functionality.

In contrast, improved system performance is usually a sign of optimization or effective maintenance rather than an indicator of malware. Similar application prompt behaviors can be normal, especially if they are from legitimate applications, and regular updates from official sources are typically a part of good security practices rather than a sign of malware.