That crypto miner caused the temperature to rise to 112 degrees Celsius (233.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and CPU usage of 1,175 percent. (On modern Macs, CPU usage is measured per core, so usage above 100 percent is common.) Claude was able to trace the cryptominer’s location to a “LaunchAgents” folder that was placed there “before creating anything.”
Despite Reddit users’ suspicions about Claude’s supposed innocence, it’s unclear exactly how the cryptomalware was installed on the Mac. Claude offered to “clean” it by quarantining the software in a folder, although UntilHEX had to manually remove a component because Claude didn’t have access to the part of macOS he needed. Until HEX ran a security check using a third-party app to make sure it was removed and your Mac started working normally again.
How to protect yourself from malware
This issue is unlikely to affect most users, but if you’re running AI agents, it’s a good idea to keep track of your Mac’s vital signs, which you can track in Activity Monitor. And if your agent has unlimited access to your Mac, it’s probably a good idea to keep a close eye on what they do when you’re not around.
For everyone else, the easiest way to protect yourself from malware is to avoid downloading software from unknown repositories. Apple has vetted the software in the Mac App Store and it is the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to frequent the Mac App Store, purchase software directly from the developer and their website. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always run the risk of exposing yourself to malware.
Never open links in emails or text messages you receive from unknown and unexpected sources. If you receive a message that appears to come from an entity you do business with, verify 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 addressand then paste it into a text editor to see the actual URL and verify it.
Macworld has several help guides, 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.
