[KB3263] Exclude Apple Time Machine backups from scanning in ESET security products for macOS

Issue

Computer scan hangs (slows down) for an extended time
Time Machine cannot create any backup

Details

Click to expand

ESET security products for macOS may start scanning the Apple Time Machine on their creation. This may cause the On-demand scanner to hang or the Time Machine backup to fail.

Solution

Exclude Time Machine backups from scans
Exclude Time Machine backups from Real-time Protection

The same process applies to Home and Business products for Mac

Follow these steps in ESET Cyber Security, ESET Cyber Security Pro, ESET Endpoint Antivirus and ESET Endpoint Antivirus.

Exclude Time Machine backups from scans

Connect the hard drive or USB flash drive where you save your Time Machine backups are saved to your computer.
Open your ESET security product for macOS. How do I open my ESET product?
Click Setup → Enter application preferences.

Figure 1-1
Click General.

Figure 1-2
Click Setup.

Figure 1-3
Click the + icon.

Figure 1-4
Expand the drive where you save Time Machine backups, select Backups.backupdb, and click OK.

If you are using network storage for your Time machine backups, repeat this step and to the text field, type /Volumes/.timemachine/*.* and click OK.

Figure 1-5
Click the + icon.

Figure 1-6
Navigate to System, expand Applications, click Time Machine and click OK.

Figure 1-7
Click OK again to return to the main program window.

Exclude Time Machine backups from Real-time Protection

Click Setup → Enter application preferences.

Figure 2-1
Click Real-time Protection.

Figure 2-2
Click Setup next to ThreatSense Engine.

Figure 2-3
Click Exclusions → the + icon and type /Volumes/.timemachine/*.*.
Click OK to return to the main program window.

Figure 2-4
Restart your computer for changes to take effect. You should now be able to run a Computer scan without experiencing any hangs.