Do I have malware?

Ok, when it comes to viruses and malware I am a complete noob. Like an idiot I clicked on a link I shouldn't have and everything was fine for about 10 minutes then my iMac shut down and when i restarted it, the start up disk was named Ωx. I ran a scan using iAntivirus and it is turning up nothing so far. Any thoughts at all?

iamnickgray wrote:
Maybe it was trying to do something but couldn't? I don't know.
good point. on a Mac, certain actions (e.g. installing apps or changing system settings) require entering an admin password. as long as you know what you're doing, you're pretty safe with Mac OS X !
If anything else happens I'll come back.
please do
Thanks again JGG!
don't mention it - that's what this forum is for !
meanwhile, thanks for the stars and ... happy computing !
JGG

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I updated to 6. In Tools, blocked cookies and now can never open Firefox. The allow cookies window is stuck. How do I get rid of the firefox browser and go back to 5. I did have malware on computer that was removed, but still ...not working

On Saturday, Sept. 3, I updated to Mozilla Firefox 6. I went into the Toolbar, I think to private browsing, but not sure now. I asked that all cookies be blocked. A window came up from my home page that said "Allow, Allow this session only, Deny Cookies." I said Deny and it told me 19 cookies were being blocked. I have never been able to get the window to leave the browser home page. In fact, I can not make any choice in that window. The window kind of shakes. I went for professional help and did have malware that I had not known was there that was removed. Technician worked 3 hours. It was called "PUM.Hijack.Start." The Mozilla browser is still stuck like that. I am on Internet Explorer, but I would like to have Firefox back again. What steps do I take next?

I am having a similar problem. Running Xp.
Latest revision of firefox.
After using firefox for a while if I exit, parent.lock is locked and i have to reboot to reload firefox.
I have killed all firefox applications from task manager (usually there are none). and I have tried 3 different "file unlock" programs including unlocker to no avail.
I also recently installed a program that shows -all- open files, and parent.lock is not listed, and thus not closable/unlockable from there.

HELP! I think I have malware but can't find it...

So I've been searching for the last two days and I feel like I've read everything from DNS Poisoning to RootKit hacks but I can't seem to figure out my problem. Here's what I've been facing:
About once or twice a day, at random points, my browser opens a new tab and tries to search a long laundry list of random words, all of which are never the same each time. Some times, instead of using Google or Bing to search, it'll open up Mail, compose a message, not addressed to anyone thankfully, with another set of random words throughout the message. I've run three different virus/malware/etc. programs but none seem to have fixed the problem. I've tried Sophos, ClamXav, and DNSChanger Removal Tool, none of which have found anything. I've tried the Terminal cache clear and scutil commands, and although I have a gray DNS in my airport settings (192.168.0.1), I haven't had any other DNS numbers show up or be grayed out. I've also had a hard time loading web pages which has never been an issue. Could this be a problem with the wireless router that I'm connected to and not a Mac problem? (There's a PC on the network and my parents aren't very technological, meaning they could've downloaded just about anything thinking it was something they needed.)
Here's a screenshot of the problem that just took place a few minutes ago:
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm completed at a loss for what to do now. Thanks in advance!
-David

I doubt you have malware, spyware or a virus, since they are so rare on a Mac. But what I think you have is someone who has access to your MacBook Pro through Screen Sharing. I'll bet someone got access to your Mac, and set it up, especially since a local port is open.
Check System Preferences>Sharing>Screen Sharing. If it's checked on, someone is spying. Probably someone you know.

Downloaded MPlayer software and now I have malware on my computer, windows keep opening up nonstop with clean Mac ads. How do I fix this?

I downloaded MPlayer software and now I have malware, windows keep opening up in Safari non stop for ads for cleaning your mac and other weird sites. How do I fix this?

You have installed Adware. Check the links below for options to remove the Adware
http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support

TS1717 restoring default factory settings without itunes as both may have malware

How can I restoring default factory settings without itunes on my ipod 1 and ipod 3rd generation, as both may have malware aswell as 3 laptops, 2 mobile, TV snd BluRay Browser.
any advice will be greatly appreciated.
have tried to disinfect with Kaspersky products but the malware just overwrites everything that is put into the p.c. so I need to use just the pad itself, that is, of course, if it allows me access.
theres nothing like a ipad scorned, ask my weary eyes. cheers

yep, unfortunately can't reset without the passcode either.
With regards to doing a restore, do you mean:
open itunes on my computer
click on my device on the left
go to the device summary
click restore
it then asks if i want to back up before i restore (to which i say no)
then it asks me if i'm sure I want to restore to factory settings and that all of me media and data will be erased and replaced with the newest version ( to which I say yes)
then it takes about 90 mins to do this but when I look at my phone, everything is exactly the same.
Am I missing something? Obviously I'm technologically challenged, but I HAVE to get to the bottom of this!

I believe that i have malware on my mac, osx 10.9.4. accordingly, i've tried to run clamxav (on my mac HD) but just get a spinning wheel, then have to shut down. any advice on how to stop spinning wheel or get rid of malware? please help. :-).

i believe that i have malware (possible highjack of safari browser) on my mac, osx 10.9.4. accordingly, i've tried to run clamxav (on my mac HD) but just get a spinning wheel, then have to shut down. any advice on how to stop spinning wheel or get rid of malware? i have symnatic endpoint and, after scanning, it reveals nothing. please help. :-).

are locked user files or that have incorrect permission a bad thing?
Yes.
why am i removing symantec?
Short answer: Because it's worse than useless and worse than the imaginary "viruses" you're afraid of would be if they really existed. For the long answer, see below.
1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
Apple has so far failed to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. These failures don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, and a technological fix is not going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the scam artists. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in everyemail attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It's as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

All of a sudden I am asked for a Captcha promt at google when I look something up. This started yesterday and reading Googles terms they sort of imply that I have malware.

All of s sudden I am asked for a CAPTCHA promt at google when I look something up. This started yesterday and after reading their terms sort of implies that I must have malware. Any thoughts. Thanks

Small chance that you have been infected by Trojan.OSX.BASH/QHost.WB.A that was out for about a day back near the end of July. To be certain open Network Utility from your Utilities folder and do a ping for google.ca and google.com. Also do a locate for each. If the results of the ping show an IP address of 91.224.160.26 that confirms the infection. If the ping IP matches any of the locate IPs then your OK.
Do you recall downloading and installing a flash update called "FlashPlayer.pkg.zip"? That's what caused the problem so you should trash it if you have not already so your not apt to redamage the host file.
To confirm, launch the TextEdit application and select File -> Open from the menu bar. With the file dialog open, press the key combination Command-Shift-G. In the "Go to the folder:" dialog type "/etc/hosts" without the quotes and click the "Open" button. Post the contents of the hosts file.

HT1222 facebook says I may have malware on my macbook. what do I do?

Facebook has blocked my account and sends me to the Apple updates page. According to Apple, I have all the current updates. Do I have malware on my macbook? What do I do?

nhyankee wrote:
I awoke this morning to the completed scan, selected the folder and performed the Secure Empty Trash function (not standard empty trash).
Glad you got that taken care of.
Secure Empty Trash didn't do any more than a regular one would have except take more time. That only needs to be used when you get rid of the hard drive (or computer) and are concerned that somebody will go to the trouble of trying to recover that information from the hard drive, which is a laborious process that probably only a forensic law enforcement person would have time to do. A regular empty trash will completely disable any malware you may run across.
Also it sounds like you deleted the entire quarantine folder, which is also not necessary. Just drag the folder contents to your Trash Can and empty it next time.

What should i do if i think i have malware on my machine? i have checked for software updates and am up-to-date already.

i suspect that i might have malware because: i am getting junk email from my own email address. i use juno.com as my web-based email provider.

You don't. The email source and header information can be forged.
(90726)

Wondering if I have malware, help!

I recently installed VirtualBox, and I used an iso file I'd gotten a while back to try Windows XP. I thought when I got the file that I was downloading some sort of VirtualBox helper file, but apparently its a full Win XP system installer. I deleted the disk image of the Virtual Machine I put it into, but I'm wondering now if my Mac is infected with malware. I did have a shared folder in that virtual machine but it was not my main home folder or any of my system folder.
I never opened the iso file in the Mac system, other than selecting it within the VirtualBox app to use Windows XP.
The iso filename had "nomaher.com" in it, which from my googleing I just did seems like an illegal site. I know thats not where I got the file, though. I've deleted the iso file too now, though I put it on a small USB drive I wasn't using for anything in case some tech person needed the file to find out if I have malware.
The Mac I ran this VirtualBox on is a 2007 iMac running Snow Leopard.
How do I find if I have malware from this, and how do I remove it if I do?
Thanks.

You would not have any malware affecting the Mac. Can't say for the Windows side or for the ISO, itself.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection
An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.
Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.
See these Apple articles:
          Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection
          OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          About file quarantine in OS X
If you require anti-virus protection I recommend using VirusBarrier Express 1.1.6 or Dr.Web Light both from the App Store. They're both free, and since they're from the App Store, they won't destabilize the system. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.)

Anyone have malware-virus message from 1-855-868-9738?

Anyone have malware-virus message from 1-855-868-9738 ?

Do not call the number.
Force quit Safari, then restart Safari while holding the Shift key.

I may have malware on my iPhone 4 - should I reset?

I may have malware on my iPhone 4 - should I reset?

I got some phishing e-mails today - tried to forward them to the company that allegedly (but clearly didn't) send them and was unable to forward. I deleted them but am kinda worried

Facebook says I have malware

I can't log into facebook. A page pops up and says I have malware, to run a scan, but I don't know how. It says to click for Microsoft or apple. When I click on apple, I get a page telling me how to scan with Maverick. I have Snow Leopard. I have Mac OS X 10.6.8

A window "…pops up and says I have malware, to run a scan…" is quite different than a window that pops up saying your browser is out of date. I get the "your browser is out of date" message sometimes at FB and a couple of my financial institutions. Usually, one can just continue. On the other hand, a window asking you to "click here to run a scan" (including a window for Mackeeper) almost always will result in one downloading malware or a very intrusive app that is usually almost impossible to get rid of. The old saying, "never download stuff from unknown sources" applies. FB is intrusive itself (keeping track of stuff you do on the interweb); but I don't think even FB itself has "scanware".
QuickTime: Rotsa ruck going to 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 unless one's puter came with it. Far as I know 10.6 users can only download 10.10. However, far as I know, it is true that updating to a later OS is the only way to update Safari. I updated to Yosemite on an external HD and I'm not very enamored with it.
Much: I'm like you, I prefer Safari. But...

I am getting a message from FB that tells me I have malware

Here is a copy of the message I get

when do you get it? and have you clicked the "please let us know" hyperlink? Also, I do not see where it says you have malware. Facebook can warn you an external site you click on while in FB MIGHT have malware.

I cannot get my crash report so that I can look at the modules and see if I have malware.

Mozilla is unable to retrieve my crash report. Is there another way to view the modules information to see if I have malware/

Disabled
Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode and then connect to your computer and restore via iTunes. The iPod will be erased.
iOS: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
For how to restore:
iTunes: Restoring iOS software
To restore from backup see:
iOS: How to back up
If you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.
You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store

I am getting pop ups on safari and firefox lately and am worried i may have malware or something now on my computer doing this. What is the best way to check this out for sure and remove it?

I am getting pop ups on safari and firefox lately and am worried I may have malware or something now on my computer doing this. What is the best way to check this out for sure and remove it?

Please review the options below to determine which method is best to remove the Adware installed on your computer.
The Easy, safe, effective method:
http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
If you are comfortable doing manual file removals use the somewhat more difficult method:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987
Also read the articles below to be more prepared for the next time there is an issue on your computer.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7471
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8071
http://www.thesafemac.com/tech-support-scam-pop-ups/

Do I have malware?

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