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# VIDEO: How to Detect Spyware on macOS Using Terminal (Part 2)
- URL: https://www.techloy.com/video-how-to-detect-spyware-on-macos-using-terminal-by-inspecting-network-connections/
- Published: 2025-08-07T14:55:13.000Z
- Updated: 2025-08-14T14:33:25.000Z
- Description: When your Mac starts acting like it’s keeping secrets, it might be time to dig deeper. Here’s how to use Terminal to inspect network connections.
- Author: Ogbonda Chivumnovu
- Tags: / Tech Guide, Videos, MacOS, / Cybersecurity, Spyware

You open your [MacBook](https://www.techloy.com/tag/macbook/) one morning, and the fan kicks on loudly. Nothing’s open. No video rendering, no browser tabs going wild. You check Activity Monitor, nothing obvious. 

Then you notice your battery drains faster than usual, and your internet usage spikes even when you’re not online. It could be a glitch, sure. But it could also be something more invasive, like spyware silently watching from the shadows, siphoning off data while pretending everything’s fine.

If that sounds far-fetched, don’t worry, you don’t need to be a [hacker](https://www.techloy.com/tag/ethical-hacker/) to check. With just a few Terminal commands, you can dig into your Mac’s network activity and see exactly what’s reaching out behind the scenes. Spyware often communicates with external servers. The `lsof` and `netstat` commands can show active network connections.

In this second part in the guide, learn how to spot spyware using the Terminal by inspecting network connections.

[VIDEO: How to Detect Spyware on macOS Using Terminal (Part 1)Spyware could cause serious damage if it’s not caught early. Learn how to catch it early using Terminal.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/icon/techloy-avatar-1-3140.png)TechloyOgbonda Chivumnovu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/thumbnail/How-to-Detect-Spyware-on-macOS-Using-Terminal--Checking-for-Suspicious-Running-Processes--2-2.png)](https://www.techloy.com/video-how-to-detect-spyware-on-macos-using-terminal/)

## How to Detect Spyware on macOS Using Terminal By Inspecting Network Connections

**Step 1:** Open Terminal, go to *Launchpad* \> *Terminal*

**Step 2:** Type `lsof -i` and press `Enter`. This command lists all open files and network connections.What to look for:

    - **Unexpected connections:** Are there connections to IP addresses or domains you don't recognize, especially from applications that shouldn't be communicating with the internet?
    - **Unknown applications:** Do you see applications making connections that you didn't launch or don't know the purpose of?
    - **Unusual ports:** While many common ports exist (80, 443 for web, 22 for SSH), look for connections on obscure or non-standard ports.

**Step 3:** Type `netstat -an` and press `Enter`. This shows all active network connections and listening ports numerically.What to look for: 

Look for "ESTABLISHED" connections to unknown foreign addresses or "LISTEN" ports that you didn't intentionally open.

**Video Script & Editing:* [**Kelechi Edeh*](https://www.techloy.com/author/kelechi/) */ Techloy.com | Content Research:* [Ogbonda Chivumnovu](https://www.techloy.com/author/ogbonda/) */ Techloy.com*

## Conclusion

Your Mac probably isn’t haunted, but if it’s behaving like it has a mind of its own, spyware could be the culprit. These Terminal tools let you peek behind the curtain and spot odd activity before it becomes a real problem. And if you do find something fishy? Disconnect from Wi-Fi and talk to a pro or at least start with a malware scan.

[VIDEO: How to Detect Spyware on macOS Using TerminalSpyware could cause serious damage if it’s not caught early. Learn how to catch it early using Terminal.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/icon/techloy-avatar-1-3017.png)TechloyOgbonda Chivumnovu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/thumbnail/How-to-Detect-Spyware-on-macOS-Using-Terminal--Checking-for-Suspicious-Running-Processes--2.png)](https://www.techloy.com/video-how-to-detect-spyware-on-macos-using-terminal/)