"Turn computer off" message - virus?

I recently lent my USB to a stranger in a coffeeshop and after inserting it back into my macbook pro, a box with the message "turn computer off" in five different languages came up (it was on a gray background, in case this sounds familiar). I had never seen that box or message before.
A technician told me not to worry about it unless the message came up again.
Any ideas what could have caused this?
How can I ensure no virus or trojan or anything like that was put on my computer (I installed the newest Norton AntiVirus a few days ago)?
Can I use the USB again or should I discard it?
Thanks, any help will be appreciated!

The kernel panics are USUALLY (but not always) caused by hardware issues. Including things connected to USB ports. But when that happens, usually it is something more complicated than a USB drive; for instance a printer, hard drive, USB hub, scanner or some device, versus just a solid state USB jump drive with no moving parts.
That said, the person who "borrowed" your USB jump drive might have "done something" to it (or tried to) that made it impossible for your Mac to handle it, or might have physically damaged it (bent the connector) or tried to damage your computer by putting some software on it that tries to install something on your Mac against your will. When the attempt fails, it can cause your system to crash or possibly cause the kernel panic. In fact, this is one way that "malware" accesses memory or tries to control computers, it causes the system to crash in a way that enables it to access or control the "frozen" computer.
I'm with BDAqua here, why would someone borrow a USB drive and then give it back to you if not to put something on it to then do something to your computer?

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Welcome to Apple Discussions Dathanb
You have posted in the Feedback About New Discussions forum.
As you are a first time poster, you seem to have missed the text at the top of this forum that says:
Please Read This Before Posting Here
If your question concerns a hardware or software technical issue, please do not post in this forum
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[solved] can't turn computer off

hello!
yesterday I wanted to turn compiz on so i typed:
# compiz --replace
then the display gone a bit bad: I didn't have windows titles and all windows was in a bunch so I couldnt get to them.
then I typed:
# metacity --replace
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I use arch with gnome on toshiba laptop.
10x anyway.
ariel.
Last edited by ariel (2009-08-24 14:11:11)

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T-Dawg wrote:
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Make sure that new file is executable.
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how can I do a boot log?
is it ok to create /etc/rc.sysinit that will be look like:
#!/bin/bash
mount /dev/sda5 / -o rw
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"Turn computer off" message - virus?

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