XProtect is Apple's built-in anti-malware technology designed to protect macOS users from malicious software. It is an essential part of macOS's security infrastructure, providing real-time protection by checking downloaded files against a list of known malware signatures. Understanding how XProtect works and how to ensure it is functioning correctly can help users maintain a secure computing environment.

XProtect operates silently in the background, and it is updated automatically by Apple. It does not have a user interface, but its effectiveness is crucial for maintaining the security of your Mac. For advanced users and system administrators, verifying the status of XProtect and ensuring it is up-to-date can be part of regular system maintenance.

Examples:

1. Checking XProtect Version: To verify the current version of XProtect, you can use the Terminal application. Open Terminal and run the following command:

   defaults read /System/Library/CoreServices/XProtect.bundle/Contents/Info.plist

   This command reads the Info.plist file, which contains the version information for XProtect.

2. Forcing XProtect Updates: While XProtect updates automatically, you can manually trigger a check for updates using the following Terminal command:

   sudo softwareupdate --background-critical

   This command forces macOS to check for any critical updates, including XProtect definitions.

3. Viewing XProtect Logs: To review the logs related to XProtect, you can use the Console application or run the following command in Terminal:

   log show --predicate 'eventMessage contains "XProtect"' --info

   This command filters the system logs to show entries related to XProtect, helping you monitor its activity and any detected threats.

4. Checking Quarantine Status: Files downloaded from the internet are marked with a quarantine attribute. You can check if a file is quarantined using the following command:

   xattr -l /path/to/file

   Look for the com.apple.quarantine attribute in the output. If present, it means the file is quarantined and XProtect will scan it before allowing it to run.