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Mac Virus?

M

miketheman

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 15, 2008
10
0
Hi Everyone,

I need some help - I've just restarted my Mac and the background has changed itself to something quite worrying (screenshot attached)

I can't explain it - I've not been messing with the OS or anything like that.

Any advice?
Many Thanks

Mike
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2010-01-02 at 17.43.18.png
    Screen shot 2010-01-02 at 17.43.18.png
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Just 3 operating system updates - I don't recall what they are called.......

Can you recommend any software to use for scanning for Trojans?
 
It "prompted" me as it does every now any again....... I just did an Install and Restart as normal......

Really confused - I'm running ClamXav now but I've got a feeling it's not going to come up with anything.
 
If I go into Desktop & Wallpaper it is telling me that it is a Safari Desktop wallpaper - so It must be something Safari has executed somehow?
 
miketheman said:
It "prompted" me as it does every now any again....... I just did an Install and Restart as normal......

Really confused - I'm running ClamXav now but I've got a feeling it's not going to come up with anything.
Click to expand...

So did the ClamXav scan complete clean?
 
miketheman said:
If I go into Desktop & Wallpaper it is telling me that it is a Safari Desktop wallpaper - so It must be something Safari has executed somehow?
Click to expand...

Or on a right click you selected the wrong option... Change it back and keep an eye on it. I suspect it'll be fine :)
 
Clam AV has finished..... results below:

Starting scan…

----------- SCAN SUMMARY -----------
Known viruses: 682457
Engine version: 0.95.3
Scanned directories: 132871
Scanned files: 417281
Infected files: 0
Data scanned: 20554.57 MB
Data read: 33697.87 MB (ratio 0.61:1)
Time: 3785.367 sec (63 m 5 s)

No infected files were found.

The fact that the background changed on reboot worries me and for this reason I doubt it was a right click and I hit the wrong option.
 
Why do you think you have a problem? Is the wall paper the only issue? Just change it ans see what happens.
 
Mikebike125 said:
Why do you think you have a problem?
Click to expand...
because the wallpaper appeared to change without me instigating it.

Mikebike125 said:
Is the wall paper the only issue?
Click to expand...
The wallpaper is the only issue I am currently aware of.

Mikebike125 said:
Just change it ans see what happens.
Click to expand...
it worries me there might be something else going on, a key logger of some sort being one of my worse fears.

Tumbleweed666 said:
I strongly suspect someone else in your house/ accommodation is having a laugh with you
Click to expand...

I very much doubt it - it live with my g/f and she doesn't understand a thing about computers, also I watched the machine reboot - my background was there I rebooted, logged in and the new background appeared!
 
I'm intrigued by this and would love to know the outcome (if any). What's the name of the Desktop Picture?
 
AdeFowler said:
I'm intrigued by this and would love to know the outcome (if any). What's the name of the Desktop Picture?
Click to expand...

It doesn't give me a name - it just says that it was set via Safari. smirking above seems to have found the original source of the background.

Still haven't found anything further, I'm tempted to do a wipe and reinstall of the OS just to be on the safe side............
 
miketheman said:
I'm tempted to do a wipe and reinstall of the OS just to be on the safe side............
Click to expand...
Wow, that is pretty radical. (New to Mac here) Is it easy to wipe and reinstall? Will you lose everything or can you just reinstall the OS without affecting your other personal files?
 
Not a virus by any means. If it is executed by safari, then you had to have been on a site to execute it. Maybe browsing wallpapers somewhere and
accidentally set a new wallpaper?
 
Wow, This is interesting, ill have to keep an eye on this one lol. Maybe just a prank.
 
Safari does have a "use image as desktop wallpaper" command. Is it possible that a malicious website script could have done it?
 
MikeT125 said:
Wow, that is pretty radical. (New to Mac here) Is it easy to wipe and reinstall? Will you lose everything or can you just reinstall the OS without affecting your other personal files?
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to back everything up to an external disk and then copy back over to the laptop once the OS is reinstalled.

ARF900 said:
Wow, This is interesting, ill have to keep an eye on this one lol. Maybe just a prank.
Click to expand...

I had a feeling it wouldn't be long before someone mention that - not really sure what I can say to reassure you.

Jason Beck said:
Not a virus by any means. If it is executed by safari, then you had to have been on a site to execute it. Maybe browsing wallpapers somewhere and
accidentally set a new wallpaper?
Click to expand...

I'd love for this to have just been the case, if only to put my mind at rest but I really don't think so - I've had the same wallpaper since I purchased the machine 2 years ago. Keeley Hazel ;-)

Tumbleweed666 said:
Did you look through your browsing history to see when that website was accessed?
Click to expand...

The history has been cleared since then, but I agree this would have been useful..... But I'm not going to lie to you there could have been some *ahem* adult themed sites in the list......
 
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