[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


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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

The same process applies to Home and Business products for Mac

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


Exclude Time Machine backups from scans

  1. Connect the hard drive or USB flash drive where your Time Machine backups are saved to your computer.

  2. Open your ESET security product for macOS. How do I open my ESET product?

  3. Click on your ESET product in the macOS menu bar (at the top of the screen) and select Preferences (Settings).

    Figure 1-1
  4. Click Performance Exclusions.

    Figure 1-2
  5. Click Performance Exclusions.

    Figure 1-3
  6. Click the + icon and type /System/Applications/Time Machine.app/* or use drag-and-drop to add a new exclusion. Click OK

    Figure 1-4
  7. Click OK again to return to the main program window.


Exclude Time Machine backups from Real-time Protection

  1. Click on your ESET product in the macOS menu bar (at the top of the screen) and select Preferences (Settings).

    Figure 2-1
  2. Click File-System Protection.

    Figure 2-2
  3. Next to Process Exclusions, click Processes to be excluded from scanning.

    Figure 2-3
  4. Click the + icon and type /System/Applications/Time Machine.app/* or use drag-and-drop to add a new exclusion. Click OK

    Figure 2-4
  5. Click OK to return to the main program window.

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

Need further assistance? Contact ESET Technical Support.


Exclude Time Machine backups from scans (6.x)

  1. Connect the hard drive or USB flash drive where your Time Machine backups are saved to your computer.

  2. Open your ESET security product for macOS. How do I open my ESET product?

  3. Click SetupEnter application preferences.

    Figure 1-1
  4. Click General.

    Figure 1-2
  5. Click Setup.

    Figure 1-3
  6. Click the + icon.

    Figure 1-4
  7. 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
  8. Click the + icon.

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

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


Exclude Time Machine backups from Real-time Protection (6.x)

  1. Click SetupEnter application preferences.

    Figure 2-1
  2. Click Real-time Protection.

    Figure 2-2
  3. Click Setup next to ThreatSense Engine.

    Figure 2-3
  4. Click Exclusions → the + icon and type /Volumes/.timemachine/*.*.

  5. Click OK to return to the main program window.

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

Need further assistance? Contact ESET Technical Support.