Files Renamed To Strange Things (not by me)-- virus?

[cmoesel]

Hello All,

I am running OS X Lion and I just noticed today several folders and files (mostly on my desktop) were renamed to random phrases-- things I am sure I have never typed. For example:

- i love ou too….whoever you are.pdf
- i døπnt want to know what YOu rare talking about little mr.pages
- meet me in the middle of the dance floor.JPG
- how abut at the hollaween dancwe you wear a mai wear a maske and you odont cause the girl always is the one that wears the mask.JPG
- i don think i want to

I expect this sort of thing from Windows-- but am very surprised to see it on my Mac! (And no, I'm not running a windows VM or bootcamp).

I found some things online to check if you're infected with that Flashback vulnerability, but it doesn't look like I am. Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Peace]

Me thinks someone in your house has been playing around with your computer.

 

[ndavid126]

No need to worry. It is not a virus.
Has anybody had access to your computer? I would recommend turning on Passwrod Sleep.

Go to System Preferences.
Security and Privacy (In first row)
General
Require a Password for sleep and screen saver--Change this to a set amount of time you want your computer to require a password after it goes to sleep. (For example if you set it to 1 minute, it will require your password to use after 1 minute.

 

[cmoesel]

It just doesn't seem like something anyone else did (on purpose or mistake). I live only with my wife (who is a teacher, knows how to spell, and is as confused about this as I am), and my young children who definitely could not have done this. Other than that, no one has access to it.

And I don't know anyone who knows how to make that symbol that is the zero with the line through it anyway.

 

[LostSoul80]

Children's friends? From northern Europe maybe?
Do you use any software allowing remote access?

 

[ndavid126]

It just doesn't seem like something anyone else did (on purpose or mistake). I live only with my wife (who is a teacher, knows how to spell, and is as confused about this as I am), and my young children who definitely could not have done this. Other than that, no one has access to it.

And I don't know anyone who knows how to make that symbol that is the zero with the line through it anyway.

Well try what I said about locking it. Could it be your wife?

 

[ScoobyMcDoo]

There's also the possibility that someone has broken in your computer remotely. Are you using wireless security such as WPA2? Do you use easy to guess passwords? Firewall?

Hell, years ago on a windows machine, I had the thing plugged directly into a cable modem and had disabled my firewall for a VPN that wouldn't work through a firewall. Anyway, didn't take long before someone had set up an anarchist web site on my computer. Couldn't blame windows, bill gates, or anyone else buy my own stupid self for leaving everything open to the world.

When I have been too lazy to created secure passwords on my email accounts, they have been broken into, which led to my Mother asking why I was sending her porn and viagra advertisements.

Point is, make sure you are protected. If you get lax, someone will F with you.

 

[cmoesel]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I guess I will just put some extra lockdown on the machine and hope it doesn't happen again (whatever it is that happened).

I'm using WPA2 on the wireless network-- with a pretty strong password. The OS itself, however, doesn't have a password on it. I guess that is the next step.

I don't think I have the VNC server setting turned on, but I will check to be sure. I do also have some services like DropBox and CrashPlan that I guess would have permission to change filenames, but again, I wouldn't expect it from them.