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How to Tell if Your Mac Is Being Remotely Accessed (And What To Do About It)

#macos #cybersecurity #privacy #devops

Have you ever wondered if someone might be remotely watching or controlling your Mac? With cyber threats on the rise, it’s important to understand how to detect suspicious activity and secure your system. Whether you’re concerned about hackers, stalkerware, or unauthorized access — this guide is for you.

1. Signs Your Mac Might Be Remotely Accessed

Watch out for these common red flags:

  • Cursor moves on its own
  • Apps open or close without your input
  • The system is running hot or the fans are spinning up while idle
  • Unknown login sessions or new users added
  • Remote sharing features are mysteriously enabled
  • Firewall is turned off without explanation
  • If you have MacOS MDM installed on your Mac.

If you notice any of the above, your Mac could be compromised.

How to Check If Someone Is Remotely Accessing Your Mac

A. Review Sharing Settings

  1. Go to System Settings → General → Sharing
  2. Turn off anything you don’t use:
  3. Screen Sharing
  4. Remote Login (SSH)
  5. Remote Management
  6. File Sharing
  7. Printer Sharing

B. Use Activity Monitor

  1. Open Activity Monitor via Spotlight (Cmd + Space)
  2. Look for unusual processes like:
  3. screensharingd
  4. ARDAgent
  5. VNC
  6. Unknown or third-party remote desktop tools
  7. Google any suspicious names you find

C. Check for Active Sessions

Open Terminal and type:
who
To see login history:
last
Look for unusual login times or remote IPs.

3. How to Stop Remote Access on Your Mac

Here are actions you can take right now:

  1. Turn Off Sharing Features (see above)
  2. Enable Firewall: System Settings → Network → Firewall → ON
  3. Check Login Users: System Settings → Users & Groups
  4. Revoke Accessibility Access:
    • Go to Privacy & Security → Accessibility
    • Remove permissions from unknown apps
  5. Uninstall Remote Tools: Look for apps like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn, etc.

4. Is My Mac Being Monitored?

Even if there’s no active connection, monitoring software could be installed. Here’s how to dig deeper:

  • Open Console and review logs for anything unusual
  • Use free tools like EtreCheck to detect malware and background agents
  • Run antivirus software like Malwarebytes for Mac

Quick Recap (TL;DR Style)

  • Symptoms that your Mac might be remotely accessed:
  • Cursor moves on its own → Disconnect Wi-Fi immediately
  • System runs slow or strange apps open → Check Activity Monitor
  • Unfamiliar user accounts or logins → Run who and last in Terminal
  • Sharing or firewall settings changed → Review in System Settings
  • Unknown background apps → Use EtreCheck or uninstall manually

Final Tips to Stay Secure

  • Always install the latest macOS updates
  • Turn on FileVault to encrypt your data
  • Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi, or use a VPN
  • Audit your Mac periodically using built-in tools and reputable software

Over to You

Have you ever caught someone remotely accessing your Mac, or had a weird tech moment that made you suspicious? Share your experience or tips in the comments. Let's help each other stay safe out there.

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