OS X Lion cursor moves and clicking by itself

[Unitecguy]

Has anyone come across this situation with the cursor moving by itself and switching between opened desktops and launchpad, clicking and opening apps? It seems like VNC - being controlled by someone else. I couldn't even grab the cursor to shut the computer down. It feels like it was being hacked or the motion control has gone crazy.

 

[greggle]

Disconnect

Shut down computer with power button (hold it in for a few seconds until it turns off), disconnect from your network (unplug ethernet cable or shut off wireless router.)

Then turn on computer. Go to System Preferences, click on Sharing and disable Screen Sharing and Remote Management.

Reconnect to network. If you still have problems, you have bigger problems that need fixing, ie., someone installed other remote access software on your computer. Now would be a good time to look into security setting on your network. If things are good, go to next step which is most important.

Look around for laughing coworkers/roommates/siblings. Slap them upside the head.

 

[tygrubb]

gregggle has it right. If you do indeed have Screen Sharing turned on or a legitimate LogMeIn or other remote control software installed and the problem persists after turning those off, then you need to wipe your hard drive and do a fresh install. Do not restore from a backup; manually copy your data (but no settings or system files) back.

Hopefully it's just a friend or coworker having a laugh with legitimate Screen Sharing or VNC access.

 

[robgendreau]

What kind of computer? using a trackpad?

This behavior can happen in laptops where the battery swells and presses against the trackpad, although it's generally more random than when people are messing with you....

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

If someone is using Screen Sharing to do it, a small icon appears in the menu bar. The problem with the Screen Sharing theory is that, even when it's happening, the user of the computer can override the person connected in order to what they want. You don't have to do anything, just moving the mouse will return control to you until you stop moving it.

The real question is: what is the cursor doing? Like, is it going to something and clicking on it, or is it just moving about randomly?