Inserting USB causes MacBook Pro to freeze!

[patronus81]

Hey all, hoping you can help me out ASAP... At work I inserted a company USB stick with files already on it. Almost instantly my pro (2011) froze - can't move the cursor and the keyboard won't respond - and a message popped up in several languages: "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button until it turns off, then press the Power button again." (Attached picture - Thank god for smartphones.)
I thought it might be a kernel panic but a quick search gives me the impression most restart messages still let you navigate your laptop so I'm worried I've downloaded something off the USB stick. Should I restart anyway?

 

[simonsi]

Doesnt look like a legit system message to me, id suspect that is a Trojan effectively trying to get you to install it (unless you have already - have you just been asked for your password an entered it?). Navigate to the Apple logo and see if you can Force Quit it. (Use the hot-key sequence), if that fails I would remove the stick. If that fails I would consider booting off a backup drive and reinstalling.

If you can, wait and see if any other opinions come along.

 

[p3ntyne]

Doesnt look like a legit system message to me, id suspect that is a Trojan effectively trying to get you to install it (unless you have already - have you just been asked for your password an entered it?). Navigate to the Apple logo and see if you can Force Quit it. (Use the hot-key sequence), if that fails I would remove the stick. If that fails I would consider booting off a backup drive and reinstalling.

If you can, wait and see if any other opinions come along.

Huh? That's what the kernel panic looked like in Snow Leopard.

 

[simonsi]

Huh? That's what the kernel panic looked like in Snow Leopard.

Ah - my OSX experience started with Lion.....my last line applies - you better advise the OP

 

[p3ntyne]

Ah - my OSX experience started with Lion.....my last line applies - you better advise the OP

No worries.

To the OP, all I can suggest is to try the same devices in another computer if the issue does not exist somewhere else, try reinstalling. (When you do, I suggest upgrading to Mavericks.)