Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld explains Apple’s new Terminal security feature in macOS 26.4 Tahoe that warns users when pasting potentially malicious code.
- These warnings protect Mac users from social engineering attacks by detecting suspicious commands copied from untrusted sources online.
- The feature displays two warning types: potential malware alerts and stricter blocks for known threats, especially targeting infrequent Terminal users.
When macOS 26.4 Tahoe was released in March, Apple introduced an additional safeguard against malware distribution: if a user pastes lines of code into the Terminal, a warning appears, signaling that the paste was blocked because the copied code could contain malware. The warning gives the user the option to continue with the pasted command or to stop it before it executes.
This is a new behavior in macOS, and you may have noticed it if you recently used the Terminal. In a support document posted earlier this week, Apple explains why it implemented the warning. It appears only if you do not regularly use the Terminal and copied a command from email, chat, or another source.
Two types of warnings may appear. The first is “Potential malware detected,” where macOS explains that it has detected a copied command and warns the user against executing it unless they are certain that the command comes from a reliable source. The second warning blocks the paste without an option to override it because it has detected known malware in the copied code.
According to various reports, malware attacks on Mac users are on the rise. However, macOS’s built-in security measures make it a little more difficult for attackers to execute malicious code, so in some instances, they resort to social engineering and persuading users to paste malicious code directly into the Terminal and execute it. They can be disguised as a way to “fix” something wrong with your Mac by pasting a command into the Terminal. Unsuspecting users then follow the instructions, unaware of the damage they could do to their Mac.
Apple
How to protect yourself from malware
The easiest way to protect yourself from malware is to avoid downloading software from places that are unfamiliar. Apple has vetted software in the Mac App Store, and it is the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to patronize the Mac App Store, then buy software directly from the developer and their website. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always risk malware exposure.
Never open links in emails or texts you receive from unknown and unexpected sources. If you get a message that looks like it is from an entity that you do business with, check the sender’s email address and inspect the URL carefully. If you see a link or button, you can Control-click it, select Copy Link Address, and then paste it into a text editor to see the actual URL to check it there.
Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether or not you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and a comparison of Mac security software.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.