Does anyone know what this could be?

[tktaylor1]

Okay so over the past few days these boxes keep popping up on my screen and disappearing. They pop up for a split second and then go away. It's kind of creepy because I don't know if someone has hacked into my computer, or if something is wrong, or something like that. They don't stay up long enough for me to read what they say. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. They look kind of like the error boxes that pop up in the middle of your screen if that helps any, but like I said they disappear.

 

[Firestar]

Have you tried a virus scan? Not sure if that's the problem, but it wouldn't hurt.

 

[(marc)]

It might be some poorly programmed malware to click on ads to generate money. Did you download any keygens, cracks, etc. lately?

 

[MacDawg]

What are you doing when it happens?
Are you using your browser? Another program?

 

[tktaylor1]

I have iAntivirus but I highly doubt that thing works. I am always using the internet when it happens. I haven't downloaded anything besides things from college websites. What are some good virus scanners that are free?

 

[Firestar]

I have iAntivirus but I highly doubt that thing works. I am always using the internet when it happens. I haven't downloaded anything besides things from college websites. What are some good virus scanners that are free?

This computer has AVG, it seems to be okay.

 

[tktaylor1]

I am downloading avast right now. It seems to have good reviews on download.cnet.com

 

[(marc)]

I have iAntivirus but I highly doubt that thing works. I am always using the internet when it happens. I haven't downloaded anything besides things from college websites. What are some good virus scanners that are free?

Note that there are no viruses (i.e. self-spreading malware) for Mac OS X in the wild. If you haven't run anything fishy, your computer is clean. What you're experiencing might as well be expected program behavior - for example, Safari sometimes allows pop-ups to open, but very quickly closes them again. Maybe that's what you're experiencing.

 

[MacDawg]

What browser are you using? Safari? Chrome? Firefox? Other?
Extensions and plugins?

Do you have an ad blocker, pop up blocker?

Sometimes these things can conflict

Have you cleared all your cookies, cache and history?

 

[fireshot91]

Do you use a Mac?

If so, this thread might be better suited for the Mac OS-X section.




If not, then download AVG. To me, that's the best free anti-malware for Windows.

 

[tktaylor1]

What browser are you using? Safari? Chrome? Firefox? Other?
Extensions and plugins?

Do you have an ad blocker, pop up blocker?

Sometimes these things can conflict

Have you cleared all your cookies, cache and history?

Safari. No pop up blockers. And I haven't cleared anything in a long time.

 

[(marc)]

Safari. No pop up blockers.

I use the same configuration (except for Safari's built-in popup-blocker). Sometimes I experience windows appearing and disappearing quickly, but obviously only when I'm using Safari.

 

[tktaylor1]

I use the same configuration (except for Safari's built-in popup-blocker). Sometimes I experience windows appearing and disappearing quickly, but obviously only when I'm using Safari.

If Safari has a built-in pop up blocker then I guess that is on but I haven't turned it on/off. I just started using Safari over Firefox. Avast was a joke. It didn't even work. Oh well.

 

[GGJstudios]

I have iAntivirus but I highly doubt that thing works. I am always using the internet when it happens. I haven't downloaded anything besides things from college websites. What are some good virus scanners that are free?

You don't need any 3rd party antivirus software to protect Mac OS X from malware. Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released 10 years ago. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which can be easily avoided with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install. Also, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Lion have anti-malware protection built in, further reducing the need for 3rd party antivirus apps.

Mac Virus/Malware Info​

If you insist on running 3rd party antivirus software:

• ClamXav is a good choice, since it isn't a resource hog, detects both Mac and Windows malware and doesn't run with elevated privileges. You can run scans when you choose, rather than leaving it running all the time, slowing your system.
• Sophos should be avoided, as it could actually increase your Mac's vulnerability, as described here and here... and here.
• iAntiVirus has an inaccurate malware definitions list that includes many items that aren't even malware, so their detection accuracy is untrustworthy. This post will give details.