Malware problem

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. :-).

Most likely you have adware not malware. If you still have problems, please provide details on what problems you are seeing.
Download the Adware removal tool on The Safe Mac site.
http://www.thesafemac.com/art/
From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:
The facts are:
1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.
2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there
     is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.
3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that
     the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering
     techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.
4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on
    your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a
    protection against malware.
5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware
    from which they purport to protect you.
6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.
7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.
8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something
    you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.
9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.
See Kappy's answer here on malware:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/26529026#26529026

Similar Messages

  • My macbook seems to be going crazy. At certain points (and for hours) I get the oh snap page on chrome, safari doesnt work, macbook wont let me create any files or for example upload music to itunes. I restored my mac so im sure its not a malware problem.

    My macbook seems to be going crazy. At certain points (and for hours) I get the oh snap page on chrome, safari doesnt work, macbook wont let me create any files or for example upload music to itunes. I restored my mac so im sure its not a malware problem. The only thing that solves it is switching off and on , but sometimes I have to do that for 6-7 times before its ok or wait for a few hours. Some help please

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    Step 1
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
    Step 2
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
    Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

  • Does anyone know if loading the new OS will take care of a malware problem?

    Does anyone know if loading the new OS will take care of a malware problem with Safari?

    You may have installed one or more of the common types of ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it. It's been reported that some variants of the "VSearch" malware block access to the page. If that happens, start in safe mode by holding down the shift key at the startup chime, then try again.
    Back up all data before making any changes.
    One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.
    If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, ask for further instructions.
    Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. It may have come from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.
    Malware is also found on websites that traffic in pirated content such as video. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.
    In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere  should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.
    Still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked
              Install system data files and security updates (OS X 10.10 or later)
    or
              Download updates automatically (OS X 10.9 or earlier)
    if it's not already checked.

  • How can i fix a malware problem?

    How can i fix a malware problem?

    That depends on what malware problem you are having.  Start by going to Thomas Reed's site http://www.thesafemac.com and read up on malware.  If you are having adware issues, follow his link to AdwareMedic and use that to clean out adware and block it.  Tom is a regular and trusted member of these discussions and a great security guy.

  • I get redirected to unwanted web sites during searches from the browser ONLY, never from the toolbar. Is this the same malware problem as discribed for redirects from BOTH the browser and the toolbar?

    I get redirected to unwanted web sites during searches from the browser ONLY, never from the toolbar. Is this the same malware problem as discribed for redirects from BOTH the browser and the toolbar?
    == This happened ==
    Every time Firefox opened
    == was happening with Internet Explorer, continues with Firefox

    Did you do a malware check?
    Do a malware check with a few malware scan programs.
    You need to use all programs because each detects different malware.
    Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of the database.
    http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    http://www.superantispyware.com/ - SuperAntispyware
    http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html - Spybot Search & Destroy
    http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php - Ad-Aware Free
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx - Windows Defender: Home Page
    See also "Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked and [[Searches are redirected to another site]]
    (the MozillaZine KB is currently down, so you may need to try again later)

  • I have a Malware problem, how do I get rid of it?

    I have a problem with pop up ads in Safari.  I have deleted the history, but it still recurs.  A friend suggested trying a demo copy of MacScan, which identifies ad.yahoo.com in the spyware cookies, and it removes them, but the pop-ups come back.
    I tried contacting Apple Support, but got cut-off. 
    Can anyone recommend a method to remove this malware, or a scanning and cleaning software that will work?
    I'm not very computer literate, so need easy directions.
    Thanks!

    Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.
    Start a reply to this message. Click the camera icon in the toolbar of the editing window and select the image file to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

  • Adware/Malware Problem

    I am not 100% sure how I actually got this issue but its really bothering me. I have some adware on my mac that is causing random text in any browser I use to turn into spam links and ads. I have tried to use the methods posted on thesafemac.com but that didnt solve the issue. I have now removed all extensions in the browsers I use as well as ran CleanMyMac and ClamXav, neither have removed the issue.  Can someone help me get rid of this junk?

    You installed the "DownLite" trojan, perhaps under a different name. Remove it as follows.
    Malware is constantly changing to get around the defenses against it. The instructions in this comment are valid as of now, as far as I know. They won't necessarily be valid in the future. Anyone finding this comment a few days or more after it was posted should look for more recent discussions or start a new one.
    Back up all data.
    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
    /Library/Application Support/VSearch
    Right-click or control-click the line and select
    Services ▹ Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)
    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item named "VSearch" selected. Drag the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password.
    Repeat with each of these lines:
    /Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist
    /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.daemon.plist
    /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.helper.plist
    /Library/LaunchDaemons/Jack.plist
    /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/Jack
    /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework
    Some of these items may be absent, in which case you'll get a message that the file can't be found. Skip that item and go on to the next one.
    Restart and empty the Trash. Don't try to empty the Trash until you have restarted.
    From the Safari menu bar, select
    Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Extensions
    Uninstall any extensions you don't know you need, including any that have the word "Spigot" in the description. If in doubt, uninstall all extensions. Do the equivalent for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, if you use either of those.
    This trojan is distributed on illegal websites that traffic in pirated movies. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect much worse to happen in the future.
    You may be wondering why you didn't get a warning from Gatekeeper about installing software from an unknown developer, as you should have. The reason is that the DownLite developer has a codesigning certificate issued by Apple, which causes Gatekeeper to give the installer a pass. Apple could revoke the certificate, but as of this writing, has not done so, even though it's aware of the problem. It must be said that this failure of oversight is inexcusable and has seriously compromised the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. You cannot rely on Gatekeeper alone to protect you from harmful software.
    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C. In the Finder, select
    Go ▹ Go to Folder...
    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

  • I am having problems getting into ICloud and Mail etc from System Preferences.  Do I have a virus or malware problem?

    A few months ago, I had a problem with my Mail app going offline constantly.  Since then, for no apparent reason, that problem has gone away and another has taken its place.  Now I cannot get into ICloud or Mail, etc. from my System Preferences on my MacBook Pro.  Do I have a virus or malware?  Should I immediately take my notebook in for repair or can I wait a couple of weeks until I return home?

    Probably not a virus or malware, as both are relatively rare on Macs.
    Probably not a hardware problem that requires "repair".
    This is probably a software problem that can be fixed with a little thought and routine maintenance maneuvers and troubleshooting.
    Here are some basic troubleshooting and maintenance maneuvers:
    1. restarting your computer
    2. repairing your hard drive When to Run First Aid in Mountain Lion's Disk Utility - For Dummies
    3. repairing permissions About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature
    4. starting up in safe mode OS X Mountain Lion: Start up in safe mode
    5. a test user account Isolating an issue by using another user account
    If you are not comfortable with this then you could take it in to your local "geniuses" at the Apple store. You could certainly wait a few weeks. Make sure you have a backup of any important documents that you don't want to lose, first.

  • Safari Malware Problem?

    I have my own website http://www.stephen-murphy.com
    Yesterday when i tried to visit it using Safari i was presented with a message that said "The website you are visiting appears to contain malware...and it offers to show me the google safe browsing diagnostic page for another site 71sense.info - obviously not my site.
    This is only a problem on Safari. If i use Firefox i dont get this warning. Ive tried this on 3 macs all running safari and all with the same message - is this a trojan or malware on my computer or my site and if so how do i get rid of it? - im not overly tech savy so if anyone could talk me through a help id be very appreciative. I'm usually VERY careful about what software i download from the net but obviously not careful enough.
    Please help!:-)

    Murphy --
    I get it too.
    Apparently, your site is coming across to Google as a fraudulent site.
    You can go into your Safari Preferences>Security>Warn of fraudulent sites
    and unclick that box.
    However, I'd be concerned about what it is about your site that is kicking off this warning.
    Check here, as suggested on the warning:
    +Next steps:+
    +If you are the owner of this web site, you can request a review of your site using Google Webmaster Tools. More information about the review process is available in Google's Webmaster Help Center.+
    Message was edited by: ~Bee

  • Do I have a virus/malware problem? Idiot needs help

    Hello, Received an email from 'Royal Mail Global' saying that they had failed in delivering a package and to open the attached '.zip' file. Without thinking, I opened the file- it didn't launch anything. I realise this is incredibly stupid and I am mortified. However, I am now concerned that I have a virus, malware, etc. As I am a computer idiot: how do I check if a virus is on the system or a malware programme is stealing all my details? People say "you'll be ok, Mac's don't get virsus" but how do you know? I have encountered no issues, as yet.... I run OS X and have a mac mini. Please help- will be eternally grateful. Thank you in advance

    MacHagan wrote:
    Hello, Received an email from 'Royal Mail Global' saying that they had failed in delivering a package and to open the attached '.zip' file. Without thinking, I opened the file- it didn't launch anything.
    First of all, your Lion OS would have notified you if that was anything currently known to be dangerous. If it was malware it was almost certainly designed for Windows and of no consequence to OS X. If you are certain that the email is spam/junk/hoax then use the delete button in your e-mail client to get rid of it. Check the trash folder and delete it from there, if necessary. If this is a Gmail account, let me know as there may be one more step.
    When you say you opended the file, I assume you used an open button or double-clicked the attachment symbol? And then it didn't launch anything, but it should have launch the Archive Utility to unzip the attachment. Did that not happen? Did you see anything after you "opened it"?
    Even if it was unzipped, sitting in an attachment folder somewhere and is malware, it won't do anything at all until you attempt to open it. And as I said previously, it's almost certainly for Windows users, anyway.
    If you followed the suggestion to use ClamXav (or any other A-V software), there are some special considerations regarding e-mail. Here are my standard cautions:
    Never use ClamXav (or any other A-V software) to move (quarantine) or delete e-mail. It will corrupt the mailbox index which could cause loss of other e-mail and other issues with functions such as searching. It may also leave the original e-mail on your ISP's e-mail server and will be re-downloaded to your hard drive the next time you check for new mail.
    So, if you choose to "Scan e-mail content for malware and phishing" in the General Preferences, make sure you do not elect to either Quarantine or Delete infected files.
    When possibly infected e-mail files are found:
    Right-click/Control-click on either the infection or file name in the ClamXav window.
    Select "Reveal In Finder" from the pop-up menu.
    When the window opens, double-click on the file to open the message in your e-mail client application.
    Read the message and if you agree that it is junk/spam/phishing then use the e-mail client's delete button to delete it (this is especially important when the word "Heuristics" appears in the infection name).
    If you disagree and choose to retain the message, return to ClamXav and choose "Exclude From Future Scans" from the pop-up menu.
    If this is a g-mail account and those messages continue to show up after you have deleted them in the above manner, you may need to log in to webmail using your browser, go to the "All Mail" folder, find the message(s) and use the delete button there to permanently delete them from the server.
    For instructions on how to handle any infections that do not involved e-mail, use the Help menu or go directly to this link Dealing with Infected Files.

  • Malware problem, PLEASE HELP :/

    So, I was searching for halloween costumes today for my unborn son expected in late august. I was on google images, clicked to enlarge the image and a pop up came up. Then, as if Apple was trying to help a download came up that said I was infected and I needed to download MacProtector (it looked EXACTLY like a package and application for Apple) Then it started scanning and said I needed to register so I called tech support and now I have Malware.. Numerous pop ups are coming up about every 5-10 minutes. Hard to find any anti virus or spyware because were not supposed to get viruses any help?????

    Then it started scanning and said I needed to register so I called tech support and now I have Malware..
    It's a hoax in the form of malware. It's not a virus.
    Follow the instructions from the first two links.
    http://www.fixkb.com/2011/05/remove-mac-protector.html
    http://www.macrumors.com/2011/05/02/new-macdefender-malware-threat-for-mac-os-x/
    And read here.  http://www.reedcorner.net/guides/macvirus/
    Never accept unsolicited offers from the internet.
    as if Apple was trying to help a download
    No.

  • Quick time Player has encountered a problem and needs to close

    Hello,
    I am getting this message and it is driving me bonkers!
    "quick time Player has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience".
    Am running XP. Have uninstalled all Apple programs (QT, iTunes, update, bonjour, etc and in the order Apple recommends.) I re-installed QuickTime again.
    Same Problem.
    Went to the control panel and launched the quicktime control panel.
    QuickTime Preferences comes up. If i choose the "files type" tab this error comes up in a window:
    RUNDLL
    An exception occurred while trying to run "C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\QuickTime.cpl",QuickTime"
    Clicking on this just closes the window.
    Some one on another post mentioned something about another codex takinhg the place of an original. How do I find if this is causing it if only to shut down that avenue of conceren?
    This has taken up SOOO much time I can't tell you and I can't use my iPhone or iTouch until I get it sorted.
    Any help would be much appreciated.
    Craigeed
    Message was edited by: craigeed
    Message was edited by: craigeed

    QuickTime Preferences comes up. If i choose the "files type" tab this error comes up in a window:
    RUNDLL
    An exception occurred while trying to run "C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL "C:\Program >Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\QuickTime.cpl",QuickTime"
    Some one on another post mentioned something about another codex takinhg the place of an original. How do I find if this is causing it if only to shut down that avenue of conceren?
    Good work, craigeed. That's enough information (of precisely the right type) to suggest that you don't have a codec pack issue. If you had a codec pack problem, usually you'd get a rundll error if you just tried to open the control panel (and you're getting further in than that). Also, the rundll error for a codec pack problem would indicate that your QuickTime.cpl is lurking in the wrong place (down in the \system32\ directory). Your message is showing that your QuickTime.cpl is in precisely the correct location.
    So we'd better start checking on some other possibilities.
    The "QuickTime has encountered an error" message is pretty generic, but on at least some versions of QuickTime 7.x it has suggested malware problems. So we'd better try getting that off the table.
    Download fresh definitions and run vigorous virus and antispyware scans. If your security software providers offer them, try backing that up with an online virus scan. (That can sometimes pick up an infection even if the security software on the PC has been compromised.)
    Do the scans show up any problems? If so, does fixing them help with the QuickTime error?

  • Screen Pixalation when using Sleep and Auto Logout problems. OS bug?

    Original Thread here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1295058
    Thread Tools
    Search this Thread
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    Dec 21, 2011, 01:01 PM
      #1
    gswilder
    macrumors regular
    Join Date: Oct 2007
    iMac Sleep Problem Waking - Screen Black & Pixelization
    Have a new BTO 27" iMac I received a couple of weeks ago. Of course it is running Lion 10.7....
    I am having a screen problem "waking" my iMac. (I also have this problem randomly on my MB Air - mid 2011 model)
    After the iMac is in true sleep mode
    (I have it set to enter a password after sleep mode)
    Screen is blank/off
    I "wiggle" my mouse or trackpad
    Screen is still blank (sometimes it may display my screen saver, but the screensaver is frozen)
    If I start moving the mouse or trackpad, it starts "un painting" the black screen. You can see whatever is supposed to be on the screen, such as the logon "button".
    It is really wierd. Like a black "overlay" is painted on the resume from sleep screen. As I move my mouse or trackpad, it is basically erasing the black, to show what is underneath. Each movement of the mouse, erases a small black square.
    I usually move my mouse around the middle of the screen to uncover the logon button. Press the logon button. The screen magically reappears as normal. I enter my password and system logs back on normally.
    It only seems to be when the iMac is in really deep sleep mode. If the screen is just blank for an hour or so. I move the mouse/trackpad, and the logon screen is immediately displayed normally.
    Any thoughts or recommendations?
    Thanks to all in advance.
    Greg
    0  
    Dec 23, 2011, 12:17 AM
      #2
    gswilder
    Thread Starter
    macrumors regular
    Join Date: Oct 2007
    UPdate
    Still experimenting.
    If certain programs are running (ie Firefox), then I don't have a problem coming out of deep sleep. It gives me a message when I reenter my password, that Firefox prevented the system from logging off.
    Does that additional information help? It is a really annoying problem. And since I have it on my MBA, I am concerned it is more widespread. Does anyone else have this issue?
    0  
    Dec 24, 2011, 09:18 PM
      #3
    UNCHeelYeah
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Dec 2011
    Black Screen and "Erasure" with Mouse.
    I am having this same problem. I am using the Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2, not using a screen saver, and it happens sporadically upon trying to wake my iMac from sleep mode. The screen is black, and as you move the mouse over the screen, it "erases" the black, like the opposite of a blackboard, to reveal the login name and picture underneath. After that everything works fine. There is no pattern to this that I can discern (e.g. - happens every fifth time, only happens when a program isn't running etc.). It appears random, but is uber annoying, and behaves like a virus. I have Norton Antivirus, and it updates daily, and upon scanning states no virus is found. I also do system scan with MacKeeper, and it scans, says system is excellent. Something is definitely going on, I just wish I knew what it was. If anyone has any knowledge of this, any solution or insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
    0  
    Dec 25, 2011, 12:29 PM
      #4
    GGJstudios
    macrumors G4
    Join Date: May 2008
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by UNCHeelYeah
    It appears random, but is uber annoying, and behaves like a virus. I have Norton Antivirus, and it updates daily, and upon scanning states no virus is found.
    That's because there are no Mac OS X viruses. You should uninstall Norton. You don't need 3rd party antivirus apps to protect your Mac from malware. 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 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 with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install. 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 Info
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by UNCHeelYeah
    I also do system scan with MacKeeper, and it scans, says system is excellent.
    You don't need MacKeeper, either. You really don't need "cleaner" or "maintenance" apps to keep your Mac running well, and some of these apps can do more harm than good. Most only remove files/folders or unused languages or architectures, which does nothing more than free up some drive space. It will not make your Mac run faster or more efficiently, since having stuff stored on a drive does not impact performance, unless you're running out of drive space.
    Mac OS X does a good job of taking care of itself, without the need for 3rd party software.
    Your problem, and the OP's is a graphics problem, likely having to do with the screensaver, not a malware problem.
    1  
    Dec 26, 2011, 08:13 AM
      #5
    UNCHeelYeah
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Dec 2011
    Norton Antivirus, and what does it mean?
    I suppose one reason I developed a concern that there was more here than meets the proverbial eye, so to speak was a message that I have received through Norton on multiple occasions. The last message of similar stated messages reads as follows (Norton Antivirus 2.2.1 (5) ): "Vulnerability blocked, December 13th, 2011, 8:57 P.M. When I click on "View Recent Activities", a window is opened that is titled "Activity Log." There, four columns are listed, titled from left to right "Date", "Event Type", "Result", and "Details." Under the December 13th episode, It lists "Portscan" under Event type, "Result" gives an IP Address (192.168.x.xxx), and "Incoming" under details.
    I am admittedly a neophyte in the Mac world, having switched over from Windows 7 to Mac recently, but am intent on educating myself to the not-so-subtle differences. The above information that Norton displayed would lead one to believe that their antivirus software is protecting my iMac, and that its subsequent removal would have perhaps disastrous results ( i.e. - my iMac would be susceptible to said "Vulnerability", whatever it is, and that "Incoming would NOT be blocked). I had a conversation with Norton because previously, every time the stated "Vulnerability" attempted access, I was interrupted by a pop-up screen informing me of this. The Norton representative was able to turn off the pop-up screen notification, but stated that it would continue to log episodes of the "Vulnerability" when it attempted to portscan and access. So am I to understand that uninstalling Norton would leave my computer no less vulnerable to this vulnerability? It is confusing to me.
    Furthermore, I suppose I did wonder if this vulnerability threat had anything to do with the issue of the black screen erasure with the mouse. I will attempt to post a picture of the screen as it was being erased with the mouse, and perhaps a short movie as well. As previously stated, I do not have a screen saver enabled. Thank you for your input, any information is helpful to me! _
    ~Marc
    http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=317412&d=1324905189
    0  
    Dec 26, 2011, 11:19 AM
      #6
    gswilder
    Thread Starter
    macrumors regular
    Join Date: Oct 2007
    Ditto & FYI Workaround
    UncHeel...
    Thanks for posting the picture. It is same as my iMac problem. On my iMac, it happens 100% of the time. On my MBA, it happens randomly like yours.
    I began to notice if certain programs were running, when it went into screen saver and sleep mode, this didn't happen. And when I woke it up, I got a message that said "could not be logged off due to Firefox or Sketchbook Pro, etc. So that got me to thinking. So....
    Over the weekend, I disabled "logoff after xx minutes of activity" in system preferences. That seems to fix the issue. I still have it set to require a password after the screen saver/sleep mode kicks it. But I disabled the logoff toggle.
    Still not sure what this is an issue, but seems to be a work around. I just want to make sure my iMac is still going into sleep with these new settings. Including the monitor sleep.
    Any thoughts based on this new information?
    Thanks again
    Greg
    0  
    Dec 26, 2011, 11:52 AM
      #7
    GGJstudios
    macrumors G4
    Join Date: May 2008
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by UNCHeelYeah
    The above information that Norton displayed would lead one to believe that their antivirus software is protecting my iMac, and that its subsequent removal would have perhaps disastrous results
    You have to remember that many antivirus apps consider cookies to be a "vulnerability" or "threat", when they're not. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X requires the user to actively install it. As long as a user is reasonably careful about where they get software, there is no need for 3rd party antivirus apps to protect Mac OS X from malware. Just make sure your firewall is enabled (System Preferences > Security > Firewall), and disable Java in your browser (Safari > Preferences > Security > Enable Java (uncheck))
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by gswilder
    I just want to make sure my iMac is still going into sleep with these new settings. Including the monitor sleep.
    You can let it sleep without logging off. That way, your apps/documents are still open when you wake it up, rather than having to relaunch apps and reopen documents. Recovery from sleep is much faster than from logging off.
    0  
    Dec 27, 2011, 03:02 PM
      #8
    rda2w
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Oct 2011
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by gswilder
    UncHeel...
    Thanks for posting the picture. It is same as my iMac problem. On my iMac, it happens 100% of the time. On my MBA, it happens randomly like yours.
    I began to notice if certain programs were running, when it went into screen saver and sleep mode, this didn't happen. And when I woke it up, I got a message that said "could not be logged off due to Firefox or Sketchbook Pro, etc. So that got me to thinking. So....
    Over the weekend, I disabled "logoff after xx minutes of activity" in system preferences. That seems to fix the issue. I still have it set to require a password after the screen saver/sleep mode kicks it. But I disabled the logoff toggle.
    Still not sure what this is an issue, but seems to be a work around. I just want to make sure my iMac is still going into sleep with these new settings. Including the monitor sleep.
    Any thoughts based on this new information?
    Thanks again
    Greg
    I have had the same problem on my mid-2010 iMac since upgrading to Lion and it's been driving me nuts. The relation to automatic Logoff makes sense to me now that I look at my settings. The logoff was occurring after sleep and it's the only thing I haven't tried yet. I had previously thought it was related to Sleep but it never occurs if I force it to sleep. It only occurs after the system was left unattended and went through it's normal steps of screensaver then sleep. I'll try disabling the automatic Logoff and see if it fixes the problem for me too.
    -BA
    0  
    Dec 29, 2011, 10:58 AM
      #9
    rda2w
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Oct 2011
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rda2w
    I have had the same problem on my mid-2010 iMac since upgrading to Lion and it's been driving me nuts. The relation to automatic Logoff makes sense to me now that I look at my settings. The logoff was occurring after sleep and it's the only thing I haven't tried yet. I had previously thought it was related to Sleep but it never occurs if I force it to sleep. It only occurs after the system was left unattended and went through it's normal steps of screensaver then sleep. I'll try disabling the automatic Logoff and see if it fixes the problem for me too.
    -BA
    I can only declare partial success with unpicking "logoff after xx". It solved the pixelated screen issue but now the computer is not sleeping. I guess I'll have to uncheck file sharing now.
    -BA
    0  
    Feb 6, 2012, 06:26 PM
      #10
    ougrad1764
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Any updates?
    Just wanted to see if there had been any changes since the last posting in this thread. I'm experiencing the same issue as OP on my 2011 13" MacBook Air w/ OS X 10.7.3, as well as on my parents' mid-2010 iMac (running OS X 10.7.2).
    I can't seem to pin down the cause and have tried the steps suggested previously. Thanks!
    0  
    Feb 21, 2012, 10:03 PM
      #11
    wchp
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Feb 2012
    Still having the same issue here as well.
    Have any of you tried a clean install of OSX?
    Before I try a full reinstall I did an install on a external drive with no aps, just the bare install and I could not replicate the issue.
    I continue to question if this is a graphics card firmware issue or and OS issue.
    A reinstall (overlay) of the OS did not resolve the issue.
    I have screen shots as follows:
    1) Paint pixels on screen
    http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/wchp/iMac27%20Graphics%20Problem/photo1. jpg
    2) Click Icon
    http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/wchp/iMac27%20Graphics%20Problem/photo2. jpg
    3) Type in PWD
    http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/wchp/iMac27%20Graphics%20Problem/photo3. jpg
    4) Logged in:
    http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p227/wchp/iMac27%20Graphics%20Problem/photo4. jpg
    Last edited by grapes911; Feb 21, 2012 at 10:12 PM. Reason: replaced img with timg
    0  
    Yesterday, 12:21 AM
      #12
    jrobin
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Feb 2012
    Having the same issue
    I have four MacBooks and a MacBook Air. I am seeing this issue on two MacBooks both running Lion 10.7.3. One is a newer i5 MacBook the other is an early 2010. The only common denominator I can think of is they are both set up with Parental Controls and they are set to logoff after X amount of time. The other MacBooks don't have this "pixel painting to revel the login screen issue" I also don't see it on our iMacs or the MacMini. Only the two with the issue are set to auto logoff. So the above poster is most likely on to something. I will give it a try by turning off the auto logoff on the two MacBooks in question. If that solves the problem then I will assume its a bug that needs to be addressed.
    0  
    Yesterday, 12:30 AM
      #13
    ougrad1764
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    reinstall (overlay) of the OS did not resolve the issue
    wchp - Thank you for following up and posting the screenshots. They match exactly what I was experiencing (and what UNCHeelYeah reported previously). I can confirm that I experienced the issue even following a clean reinstall of Snow Leopard on my MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011).
    jrobin - "I will give it a try by turning off the auto logoff on the two MacBooks in question. If that solves the problem then I will assume its a bug that needs to be addressed."
    Good thinking! Thanks for taking the time to test with your machines. This will help provide further validation of what gswilder (OP) tried as well in reply #6. Interesting about Parental Controls, too.
    Side note:
    Since I recently joined the Apple Developers program, I did a clean install of SL on my MBA then upgraded via the App Store to Mountain Lion to "kick-the-tires" if you will. Interestingly, I've not yet experienced any issue related to waking from sleep with a black screen and pixilation, even while running all the same apps I had previously. I'll report here (and file a bug report with Apple) if I do see this issue pop-up in ML. I'll be reinstalling SL in a few weeks and will report back if/when the black screen and pixelation issue reappears. I'll be sure to note the applications left running at the time the computer went to sleep.
    Last edited by ougrad1764; Yesterday at 12:44 AM. Reason: Follow-up to jrobin (reply came in while I was typing mine)
    0  
    Yesterday, 09:04 AM
      #14
    evillanueva
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Feb 2012
    I have experienced the same issue with my brand new MBA Late 2011.
    I recently found out that this only happens when DISPLAY is set to go to sleep minutes before the "Log out after X minutes of inactivity". I had "Display sleep" option set to 5 minutes and "Log out after 10 minutes of inactivity" and this causes the display to go to sleep first (screen goes black) and then, 5 minutes later, it logs out.
    If "Display sleep" is off and "Log out after X minutes of inactivity" is on, the issue does not replicate. So Im thinking it has something to do with the screen being black at the moment it logs out. Can you try and replicate that?
    Thanks
    0  
    Yesterday, 01:39 PM
      #15
    wchp
    macrumors newbie
    Join Date: Feb 2012
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by evillanueva
    I have experienced the same issue with my brand new MBA Late 2011.
    I recently found out that this only happens when DISPLAY is set to go to sleep minutes before the "Log out after X minutes of inactivity". I had "Display sleep" option set to 5 minutes and "Log out after 10 minutes of inactivity" and this causes the display to go to sleep first (screen goes black) and then, 5 minutes later, it logs out.
    If "Display sleep" is off and "Log out after X minutes of inactivity" is on, the issue does not replicate. So Im thinking it has something to do with the screen being black at the moment it logs out. Can you try and replicate that?
    Thanks
    Just tested this premise and yes, you are correct.
    IF: Screen saver ON after 5m AND require password immediately AND Sleep (Display) after 30m AND Logout after 60m I am able to reproduce the problem.
    IF: Screen Saver ON after 5m AND require password immediately AND Sleep (Display) after 30m AND Logut after xx NOT enabled, problem goes away
    IF: Screen Saver ON after 5m AND require password immediately AND Sleep (Display) OFF AND Logut after 60M enabled, problem goes away
    So on my machine (iMac 27, 3.4/i7, 16GB/1333, Radeon 6970m/2048MB, OSX 10.7.3
    It would appear that if I am running Monitor Sleep and it kicks in prior to LogOff then I am able to reproduce this artifact. Only Display sleep with immediate login OR Loguot should be used but not both.
    The only other thing to test is is I leave display sleep on, and screen saver on but with NO immediate password and enable logoff if the problem goes away.
    Testing for another day.
    I have linked this entire thread to a Apple support ticket and will report back on Apples response

    Thank you so much wchp, this is brilliant. I have had this annoying problem for a long time. I eventually rang Mac support, they did not know how to fix the problem as you have suggested so they instigated many hardware replacements which eventually left my iMac severely crippled. They eventually replaced it with the latest model. But I spent two months working with a disabled computer which really interfere with my work.
    Your solution appears to have solved my problem, at least so far, but I am hopeful that it is a permanent fix. I hope that your suggestions are taken up by Apple support. This may solve many users problems and avoid Apple making expensive fixes that don't actually work.
    I thought that the new iMac would not have the 'Wake up from sleep by painting in the login window' problem but it did, this really annoyed me. Anyway now the problem appears to be solved, it's not I will repost and keep working on it. Thanks again.

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