Spyware or malware on my Mac?

[GanChan]

I was surfing the Web today when I noticed that Camino seemed to be hanging or stuck on a page. I opened the Finder window and just happened to notice, next to my usual HD, Network, and external drive icons, an unfamiliar iMac-style icon called "[my name]'s Computer," clicking on which simply showed the other icons I mentioned.

I had never seen an icon for my overall computer system before. I force-quit the browser, and it was gone.

I may be paranoid, but...was my Mac under "invasion" by some sort of spyware, or was it simply having a Maalox moment? and how I could I tell? and what would I do about it?

 

[WildCowboy]

You can set whether that is visible in Finder by going to Finder --> Preferences --> Sidebar and ticking or unticking the "Computer" setting. That said, I have no idea why Camino would have any effect on your Finder preferences. I highly doubt it was spyware or malware of any kind, as they don't exist in the wild for OS X.

 

[clevin]

I was surfing the Web today when I noticed that Camino seemed to be hanging or stuck on a page. I opened the Finder window and just happened to notice, next to my usual HD, Network, and external drive icons, an unfamiliar iMac-style icon called "[my name]'s Computer," clicking on which simply showed the other icons I mentioned.

I had never seen an icon for my overall computer system before. I force-quit the browser, and it was gone.

I may be paranoid, but...was my Mac under "invasion" by some sort of spyware, or was it simply having a Maalox moment? and how I could I tell? and what would I do about it?

did u enable file sharing in your preference?

 

[GanChan]

did u enable file sharing in your preference?

It appears I had Personal File sharing switched on at the time I have turned it off. No other sharing prefs were selected.

Well, whatever did or didn't happen, it's too late to fix it now....

 

[iW00t]

Rest assured that the Mac market is too small for the scumbags to even try to waste time writing spyware and adware for it

 

[clevin]

It appears I had Personal File sharing switched on at the time I have turned it off. No other sharing prefs were selected.

Well, whatever did or didn't happen, it's too late to fix it now....

well, i just checked, i think WildCowboy's idea is right. don't worry, i don't think u are at any risk for this.

 

[BilltheCat]

What about this?

My Mac may be safe but if spyware or virii are inside attaching to my email could I not still infect others thru email? and wouldnt this be a decent reason to use a virus checker/spyware killer?

I already use the mac firewall but I could find no options on it just off or on.

would anyone think an external or 3rd party firewall was needed?

I am new to the iMac, so I guess still think PC and have MS paranoia!

 

[WildCowboy]

Yes, you can pass along viruses to your PC-using friends if the viruses are embedded in files you send to them. Many Mac users use the free ClamXav antivirus software occasionally to help prevent this.

 

[BilltheCat]

ah thanks. I have this now and will use it.

 

[compuwar]

What about this?

My Mac may be safe but if spyware or virii are inside attaching to my email could I not still infect others thru email? and wouldnt this be a decent reason to use a virus checker/spyware killer?

I already use the mac firewall but I could find no options on it just off or on.

would anyone think an external or 3rd party firewall was needed?

I am new to the iMac, so I guess still think PC and have MS paranoia!

The built-in interface to the firewall is pretty basic, just allowing you to open certain inbound ports. Given the lack of worms, it's really not that big a deal. As has been pointed out already, you can pass on PC-based malware manually. There are no current OSX in-the-wild (that is spreading from computer to computer) viruses. There have been a few localized Trojan outbreaks from time to time, but they've all required the user to install them (normally masquerading as a new version of an application the user wanted to install gotten from a local non-reputable source.)