Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac Virus

S

Schafferius

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 21, 2010
5
0
Hey, new to the forum. Came here because I'm in need of dire help.
I downloaded a game from a torrent (Hitman: Blood Money). I haven't had problems with torrents before. I got the game running etc etc.

But when I exited the game to go to bed, my mac started playing up. At first my mouse would open up dashboard no matter what or where i clicked. After pulling my mouse out it would randomly click onto things and wouldn't let go on them. My dock wouldn't pop up from hiding unless I clicked near the bottom. And when it popped up, it wouldn't flow like it would (with the magnification setting I believe)

When I click the bars up the top (File, Edit, View, etc) and unless I hold down the primary click. It doesn't stay open.

I decided to download a mac antivirus and scan my computer. But it found nothing.

I'm a WoW player and I went into WoW a few moments and I could click nothing.

So I come here in seek of help. I am totally lost and frustrated with this. Please help :(
 
First, searching the forum with MRoogle will reveal that there are too many threads on this topic to count. It's best to try searching before posting redundant threads.

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, adware, and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability.

From Symantec:
What is the difference between viruses, worms, and Trojans?

What is a virus?
A computer virus is a small program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user. A virus must meet two criteria:
  • It must execute itself. It often places its own code in the path of execution of another program.
  • It must replicate itself. For example, it may replace other executable files with a copy of the virus infected file. Viruses can infect desktop computers and network servers alike.
What is a Trojan horse?
Trojan horses are impostors—files that claim to be something desirable but, in fact, are malicious. A very important distinction between Trojan horse programs and true viruses is that they do not replicate themselves. Trojan horses contain malicious code that when triggered cause loss, or even theft, of data. For a Trojan horse to spread, you must invite these programs onto your computers; for example, by opening an email attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet.

What is a worm?
Worms are programs that replicate themselves from system to system without the use of a host file. This is in contrast to viruses, which requires the spreading of an infected host file. Although worms generally exist inside of other files, often Word or Excel documents, there is a difference between how worms and viruses use the host file. Usually the worm will release a document that already has the "worm" macro inside the document. The entire document will travel from computer to computer, so the entire document should be considered the worm.

What is a virus hoax?
Virus hoaxes are messages, almost always sent by email, that amount to little more than chain letters. Following are some of the common phrases that are used in these hoaxes:
  • If you receive an email titled [email virus hoax name here], do not open it!
  • Delete it immediately!
  • It contains the [hoax name] virus.
  • It will delete everything on your hard drive and [extreme and improbable danger specified here].
  • This virus was announced today by [reputable organization name here].
  • Forward this warning to everyone you know!
Most virus hoax warnings do not deviate far from this pattern. If you are unsure if a virus warning is legitimate or a hoax, additional information is available at the Symantec Security Response online database.
Click to expand...

As of this time, there are NO viruses in the wild that affect current Mac OS X. In the past, there have been a few viruses that ran on older versions of the Mac operating system, but no longer.

There are, as of this time, trojans that can affect Mac OS X, but these must be downloaded and installed by the user, which involves entering the user's administrator password. Trojans can easily be avoided by the user exercising common sense and caution when installing applications. A common source of trojans is pirated software, typically downloaded from bit torrent sites.

Having virus protection software on your Mac is pointless, as far as protecting your Mac from viruses, since AV software can't detect a virus that doesn't exist. It is possible to have a file reside on your hard drive that contains a Windows virus, but since a Windows virus (program) can't run in native Mac OS X, it would be harmless to your Mac. Some choose to run AV on their Mac to scan for Windows viruses, so the Mac user can't pass a virus-infected file to a Windows user. In my opinion, a Windows user should be protected by their own AV software, so the burden of protection lies with the Windows user.
 
Ahoy matey! (Hello)

Yer mack be seized eh? (You think something is wrong with your machine)

Did ye put in yer password on the install? (Did you put in your root password when you installed the program?)
 
I don't remember, I don't think so.

It was one of those "Drag this file into the app shortcut" type of things
 
Your mouse/trackpad/keyboard button is stuck down.
Do you have a bluetooth mouse or keyboard connected but tossed in a drawer?
Unplug your keyboard and see if you still have the problem. Then unplug the mouse and try a different one.
Also, turn off bluetooth and test.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back