Macbook pro, randomly added a user.

[dislexic]

Can anyone point me to a Good PDF, for understanding my logs, or networking admin? Osx, Lion 10.7.3. I've had an issue twice now, where I've re booted and found a random user ("other") added to my login page, which I haven't added. The first time I just assumed it might have been some sort of malware from all of the bad sites I've visited. I was lazy and just reinstalled the os. But It's happened again, and I'd like to investigate a little more, so I'm reaching out. I'm trying to understand the back end of my computer, I've exausted google and and don't really know what to ask it anymore...

 

[GGJstudios]

Can anyone point me to a Good PDF, for understanding my logs, or networking admin? Osx, Lion 10.7.3. I've had an issue twice now, where I've re booted and found a random user ("other") added to my login page, which I haven't added.

How to get rid of the Others account?

The first time I just assumed it might have been some sort of malware from all of the bad sites I've visited.

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 over 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 by practicing safe computing (see below). 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 FAQ​

1. Make sure your built-in Mac firewall is enabled in System Preferences > Security > Firewall
   
   
2. Uncheck "Open "safe" files after downloading" in Safari > Preferences > General
   
   
3. Disable Java in your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox). This will protect you from malware that exploits Java in your browser, including the recent Flashback trojan. Leave Java disabled until you visit a trusted site that requires it, then re-enable only for the duration of your visit to that site. (This is not to be confused with JavaScript, which you should leave enabled.)
   
   
4. Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS servers by reading this.
   
   
5. Be careful to only install software from trusted, reputable sites. Never install pirated software. If you're not sure about an app, ask in this forum before installing.
   
   
6. Never let someone else have access to install anything on your Mac.
   
   
7. Don't open files that you receive from unknown or untrusted sources.
   
   
8. For added security, make sure all network, email, financial and other important passwords are long and complex, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
   
   
9. Always keep your Mac and application software updated. Use Software Update for your Mac software. For other software, it's safer to get updates from the developer's site or from the menu item "Check for updates", rather than installing from any notification window that pops up while you're surfing the web.

That's all you need to do to keep your Mac completely free of any Mac OS X malware that has ever been released into the wild. You don't need any 3rd party software to keep your Mac secure.