Shared devices finder window freezing
I am using 10.7.5 with a shared network via Airport Extreme. I have been using this for many months no error. No updates, no changes, just came in, opened my laptop and the "shared" sees the base stations but when I click on them, the folders don't populate and the window remains blank and freezes.
I have tried several things:
1) reinstalling Lion
2) rebooting all peripherals and the comptuers ( I even bought a new router )
3) trying it on more than one computer
4) something about dragging the libarary plist for the finder to the desktop
Nothing works. My finder works fine for other things and I can see any externals attached to my computer.
I am short of pulling my hair out Any ideas?
I am using:
MacBook Pro 17"
MacBook Air
Mac Pro
Western Digital external harddrives
Airport Extreme base station
I have done some more research (now 4 days into this problem) and it seems that my Java was out of date, so I went to Oracle and updated Java. It updated it to 6 saying it needed to update. (why doesn't this come up with normal updates?)
I have been successful in getting into a shared router and hard drive, but some freezing still occurs and the folders don't show up on the screen. Just for grins, I double clicked onto where a folder SHOULD be - and the folders populated?
But, just when you think it is being solved, it would freeze and not let me into the other shared hard drives.
I can go in and out of anything in finder ON THAT COMPUTER, but not the shared maybe more than once.
I have since updated Java to 7 and have done a shut down and a restart and now running disk utility.
Fingers crossed.
My other MBP's (newer) are having no problem with the shared network...
Any thoughts?
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Finder window freezes, nothing else wrong
For a few days now, every time I use a Finder window's spotlight search field, it starts collecting files right away but I can't scroll down and I can't close the window. Oddly enough I can still run any program on my Mac Pro and everything is just as fast. I can even fiddle with other finder eindows as long as I don't use the search field. The only thing I remember updating recently was the last security update (and I'm running 10.6.8). Nothing is disturbed really, I just relaunch the finer but I still use that search constantly and I'm much slower without it. Plus I really want to know what's wrong anyway. I don't like to let problems linger. Thank you in advance.
Denise,
One tweek that I found most helpful in conserving system resources, significantly eliminating freezes and reducing hard drive thrashing was (literally eliminating spotlight) by the following steps:
Go to Sytem Preferences; click on Spotlight & then the privacy tab -- then the + box.
Drop down boxes will appear for you; then all you need to do is select your hard drive under "devices" (that is, whatever you have named it) and then select "choose".
Thereby, you will have deselected & disengaged spotlight and eliminated a system-draining resource.
You can most likely find anything you want on your computer without spotlight. I know that I do, w/no problems.
Anyway, do whichever you feel most comfortable with.
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Finder window freezing when attempting to find...
I have a fresh install of 10.5.8 client on a PPC-based G5 tower. Having an odd issue where, if I open a new Finder window and do a find (command-f), the window gets "stuck" (doesn't change to the "find"-based window, gets stuck at whatever it was when I hit command-f). The rest of the desktop and computer responds as normal, it's just that single window that gets stuck — it's almost like it the desktop/GUI won't update the drawing of just that window. I can open new Finder windows and do everything else — but the only way to get rid of the stuck window is to kill Finder and let is restart.
I've tried re-applying te 10.5.8 combo updater, created a new admin user, etc. — all the standard troubleshooting stuff. Going to continue working this out, but wondering if anyone else has every experienced this?
Thanks,
Kristin.Hi Kristin, not seen this single Finder window problem before.
You've already covered most things with what you've done.
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
Reboot, test again. -
Network devices not showing up under "shared" in finder bar
Ok so i have a network that consists of a maxtor nas device, 2 win xp pc's, 1 win7 pc, d-link 524 router, and my macbook pro. I would like to be able to transfer files between my mac and the devices and use the printer attached to my maxtor. My issue is that none of the computers show up under the "shared" section of finder or under network. I use to have this issue with leopard but it resolved itself. Now under snow leopard for a couple months and i have yet to get it work. I can access my mac and other pcs from a pc. Anyone know how to get my network to show up on my mac?
Your problem is very common under Snow. At first my shares did not show up under shared in finder windows. I, then, of course, used "Connect to Server" to connect to the shares--both Mac and PC. I found that the more I kept the shares active the more likely they were show up under shared. Then, I discovered that if I kept the computers from sleeping during the period of needed access they would tend to stay in shared without nearly so much keeping the connections active.
If you do not like the above work around, then there are two other possibilities. You can elect to show mounted items on your desktop. Do that and connect to each share. Then, go > users > unlock > + login options > try dragging the mounted shares to the login item window. If successful, then the shares should be available at login.
Another approach is to mount and connect as indicated above. Then, making an alias to the share should at least make things faster. -
Shared devices not showing up in finder
Shared devices on my network are not showing up in Finder on my MacBook Air. Problem just began in the last 24 hours, and is limited to just this computer. Have done usual things -- checking, unchecking shared devices in Finder; relaunching Finder; restarting computer. Any ideas?
Your problem is very common under Snow. At first my shares did not show up under shared in finder windows. I, then, of course, used "Connect to Server" to connect to the shares--both Mac and PC. I found that the more I kept the shares active the more likely they were show up under shared. Then, I discovered that if I kept the computers from sleeping during the period of needed access they would tend to stay in shared without nearly so much keeping the connections active.
If you do not like the above work around, then there are two other possibilities. You can elect to show mounted items on your desktop. Do that and connect to each share. Then, go > users > unlock > + login options > try dragging the mounted shares to the login item window. If successful, then the shares should be available at login.
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Preview in Finder windows does not work with VLC Player
hi there,
i am using vlc player, and whenever i access a folder where i have many avi folders that vlc player is set as the default program to open them, the finder windows freezes and i have to relaunch it. also, when i click on get info for a particular avi folder, finder crashes again because it cannot preview the file in the window. does anyone know how i can resolve this issue?
thanks!paranoidandroid60 wrote:
ok, it works fine with quicktime, but anyone know why vlc player might be doing this?
thanks!
I use VLC and there are some bugs with the latest version. Try an earlier version. WIth VLC, I keep the older versions for things like this.
For instance, the new VLC give the wrong time on a stereo audio file. In fact it gives double the correct time. I have had some other issues with VLC, but it's easy enough to remove and install.
If you make QT the default and then right-click the video and select VLC to play it, does that work?
Also check out:
http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=7bc9db9ba2aa53d4660133d4b9e3dbb 8
Message was edited by: nerowolfe -
Aftger I upgraded to Yosemite I cannot see my iMac at home from my work (i.e in Finder window under shared devices). Note both my work and home iMac are connected to time capsules and I can see both of those time capsules but I cannot see either iMac from the other location. My guess is that the time capsule is blocking the connection to the iMac. One last comment occasionally (5% of the time) my iMac does magically appear in the shared Finder window but this is extremely rare. Any help????
Just discovered this one myself. OK, this may sound silly but place your cursor next to the word "Shared" on the finder sidebar. The "hidden" command "Show" will magically appear. Clicking that will display your other network attached devices.
This appears to be a new "feature" that some freaking genius thought was some how "Cool". My only assumption is that Apple programers expect users to randomly move their cursor around the screen in hopes of finding some critical function like looking for an easter egg in their favorite game. -
How can I see my iPhone on the Shared devices list on sidebar of Finder ?
I have a Home Network Wireless-N based on a Linksys Broadband Router WRT300N. I have my MacBook Pro and my iPhone, my wife her MacBook, my son a Windows portable and still a Desktop Windows PC. The desktop Windows PC is connected via Ethernet cable direct to the Router, the other four devices connect wireless.
The problem is that I can only see the desktop Windows PC in my Finder's Sidebar on my MacBook Pro. Since all the other devices are connected in the wireless network with full access to internet, I suppose I should see them in the sharing devices list on the sidebar. Tried already to connect to server under Menu Go To without any luck. Someone knows why ? Thanks for some help.The iPhone doesn't have a disk mode or wireless N capabilities.
-
Lately my finder has been closing when I select a shared device such as another mac, a printer, or the time capsule. My WiFi connection is working - I can can still backup to the TC and use my wireless printer, but I just can't access them by clicking on them in the finder window. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks for your help
I made no changes to the mini or the server.
The router was shut down then on restart the new (replaced modem) was configured by using another mac on the network (not the file server)
Once the router and modem were online again, other macs running 9.2 were accessing the file server as usual. The mini was not.
I had been working on a file that resides on the server. I was not warned that the router was going to be shut down. When I saved the file I got the beach ball then error message.
It'll be next week before I'm in the office agin. I'll report back then. Thanks -
Why do we get a number next to a shared device in finder sidebar?
Does anyone know how to stop the appearance of a number next to a shared device number in the Finder sidebar window?
OSX Yosemite, version 10.10.2
Thanks.There are several possible causes for this behavior.
1. Two (or more) computers on the local network have the same Bonjour name, such as "X's-MacBook-Pro.local". Resolve the name conflict by renaming one or more of them in the Sharing preference pane.
2. You have two simultaneous connections to the same local network: probably Ethernet and Wi-Fi. If applicable, disconnect the Ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi.
3. A Mac wakes from sleep due to network traffic. This is a bug in OS X that may only affect some models. You can avoid it as follows:
Open the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences and unlock the settings, if necessary. Select the Power Adapter tab, if there is one. Uncheck the box marked
Wake for Wi-Fi network access
if it's checked.
4. A device that gets its network address from the router wakes from sleep, and the address it was using before has been assigned to another device.
5. A third-party wireless router has incompatible settings or firmware. In that case, refer to the manufacturer or ISP for support. Restarting the router may help, temporarily.
6. If the router is an Apple device, it may need to be restarted.
7. A third-party Bonjour device on the network is malfunctioning. Finding out which is a process of elimination.
8. There is more than one DHCP server on the network. Typically, there would be two or more wireless access points configured to act as routers.
9. See this support article.
10. Back up all data. Make notes of your settings in the Network preference pane.
Triple-click the line below on this page to select it:
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select
Services ▹ Reveal
from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item named "SystemConfiguration" selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator password.
Restart the computer and empty the Trash. You will need to recreate the network settings.
*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. -
What is 9fee28000000 under shared hardware in my finder window, this has suddenly appeared.
What is 9fee28000000 under shared hardware in my finder window, this has suddenly appeared.
Yes it appears to be something on the network, however I haven't added any devices and don't own any PCs! I've had the same network configuration for some time - this device has just appeared.
I was hoping someone else might have seen this device ID before as I certainly did not add it knowingly. -
In my Finder window the Shared Section is missing
Mac Pro 2007
Processor 2 x 3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Memory 6 GB 667 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM
Mac Lion OS X 10.7.5
In my Finder window the Shared Section is missing. Its even checked under Finder>Preferences>Sidebar. Do I need to edit something in my Library. If so, what file? in what folder? I rebooted, reset, etc to no avial.
ThanksPlease 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 documents 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.
Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.
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. -
Ethernet connection and 'shared' option in finder window!!!
I am relatively new to mac and everyday I see something that I don't understand, like the other day I connected to internet using ethernet cable and 'shared' option appeared in finder window with all kinds of people and devices listed. It never happened when I connected through wireless. What does it mean? Are other people able to see my computer and the content on it? Any explanation would be appreciated.
ThanksHi
It's either a PC or some other Hewlett Packard device connected to your network or on another network (probably wirelessly) you're connected to. It's in the Shared section of the Sidebar because it's either broadcasting itself using Bonjour or more likely NetBios. You can choose to not see this option by disabling it in the Finder Preferences.
It's also possible it's your router/gateway/wireless access point.
If you've not enabled personal file sharing and you're not in the habit of handing your account password out to all and sundry, there's nothing to worry about.
Tony -
Current Setup:
Asrock Extreme 4 Z77 mobo with built-in Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet. Windows 8 Pro. Intel i5-3570k (using onboard Intel 4000 HD Graphics). RAID0- 2 OCZ Vertex 4's.
I will refer to this setup as my tower.
The Ethernet port works fine by itself. When I use wired tethering with my Android phone (Droid 4 running on 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich), it works fine when nothing is connected into the Ethernet port in the mobo.
The issue arises when I try to connect both simultaneously. The network configuration window in windows basically freezes and I cannot really navigate it without a ~60 second delay at best.
I would like to be able to accept the internet from my Android via a USB tether and either bridge the connection or use the internet connection sharing service to route traffic through the unused Ethernet port on the mobo (either to another computer/xbox
or more desirably a switch/router to spread to the entire home network). I have extensively researched the issue of Windows 8 become slow and unresponsive when I attempt to do this and I have not found anyone with the exact problem. I am able to
do both the MAC bridge miniport (bridge 2 connections) and Internet Connection Sharing though a Windows Vista (home premium) Laptop I have. The difference between the laptop and the tower I am try to do this on is the laptop has a WIFI and Ethernet connection
while the tower only has the on-board Ethernet.
Do I have all the necessary equipment to accomplish this, or do I need to buy a PCIe WIFI card? If so could I get away with just getting a USB WIFI dongle?
Any help would be very appreciated.I had the same problem and came here by searching.
Per Rosengren's method solved the problem, but he didn't say how to do it, so I'll try to explain step-by-step for anyone that may venture here.
Open Device Manager (right click on Computer > Manage > on the left side, under System Tools choose Device Manager)
Choose the problematic device in Network Adapters (for me it's called HTC Remote NDIS based device)
Right click on it and choose Update Driver Software...
Click Browse my computer for driver software
Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers
Uncheck the box Show compatible hardware
For the manufacturer, choose Microsoft Corporation
Now you will have two options:
- Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device
- Remote NDIS Compatible Device
I chose the second one and it solved the problem, but if it doesn't work you could try the other one. In my case, the driver that was being used was neither of these, but a special driver from Android SDK ADT bundle.
Pick one and click Next. If a dialog comes up, confirm by clicking Yes.
Wait a few seconds for the connection to restart. If it doesn't work, try disabling and reenabling USB tethering on the phone, or reconnect the USB cable.
I should also note that I'm using a custom Android ROM on HTC Wildfire S (unofficial Cyanogenmod). If you have a stock ROM with HTC Sense, maybe this method may not work and you'll need a proprietary HTC driver. -
After the first few days of operating my new computer, Yosemite began to develop strange glitches. I tried to drag a folder from a Finder window. It zoomed upward on Desktop and stayed where it stopped—and nothing worked. Everything froze. The cursor left a jittery trail of ghost images within a Finder window. We had to relaunch Finder. This became a pattern: no dragging-dropping to move files. Only within a Finder window was it possible.
A day or two later, I began to notice—with increasing seriousness and frequency—open windows stuttering when I tried to move them around the desktop. They moved, but with halts and stutters.
When we opened Activity Monitor and saw 6 BG of 8BG memory used, we figured this is serious. After an EtreCheck we noticed we had to update a version of FlashPlayer, which we did. But our problem is still here. Help!
One probably rare item used with this computer is a Maltron Keyboard. This keyboard is made to be used with Macs and I found no issues relating to Yosemite on their website, but just thought I'd mention it.
EtreCheck version: 2.1.5 (108)
Report generated December 20, 2014 at 10:40:00 AM CST
Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) (Verified)
iMac - model: iMac15,1
1 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core
8 GB RAM Upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
BANK 0/DIMM1
empty empty empty empty
BANK 1/DIMM1
empty empty empty empty
Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Video Information: ℹ️
AMD Radeon R9 M290X - VRAM: 2048 MB
iMac spdisplays_5120x2880Retina
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.10 (14A389) - Uptime: 2:25:40
Disk Information: ℹ️
APPLE SSD SM0512F disk0 : (500.28 GB)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 499.10 GB (310.00 GB free)
Core Storage: disk0s2 499.42 GB Online
USB Information: ℹ️
PNY Technologies USB 3.0 FD 62.06 GB
USB30FD (disk2s1) /Volumes/USB30FD : 62.06 GB (61.85 GB free)
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
MALTRON USB Keyboard
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Anywhere
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]
[invalid?] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
AirPort Base Station Agent Application (/System/Library/CoreServices/AirPort Base Station Agent.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.2.2.3 [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 15.0.0 - SDK 10.10 Check version
Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Support]
Silverlight: Version: 4.1.10329.0 [Support]
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
AdBlock [Installed]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
APC PowerChute Personal Edition [Support]
Flash Player [Support]
Flip4Mac WMV [Support]
Perian [Support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Skip System Files: NO
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 499.10 GB Disk used: 189.10 GB
Destinations:
LaCie [Local]
Total size: 0 B
Total number of backups: 0
Oldest backup: -
Last backup: -
Size of backup disk:
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
7% mds
2% WindowServer
1% fontd
0% taskgated
0% Finder
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
472 MB firefox
249 MB WindowServer
223 MB soffice
146 MB Finder
146 MB Activity Monitor
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
3.78 GB Free RAM
2.55 GB Active RAM
1.34 GB Inactive RAM
923 MB Wired RAM
1.94 GB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Dec 20, 2014, 10:35:50 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Install Adobe Flash Player_2014-12-20-103550_[redacted].crash
Dec 20, 2014, 10:28:33 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Install Adobe Flash Player_2014-12-20-102833_[redacted].crash
Dec 20, 2014, 08:14:56 AM Self test - passedMac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
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 take control of 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 taken far too long to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. Those lapses 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, not machine behavior, and no technological fix alone is 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 Internet criminals. If you're better informed 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 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. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic, Soft32, 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. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.
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 padlock icon in the address bar 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 every email 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 can be 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.
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