A few minutes ago, my macbook pro (OSX 10.6.8) played what I think was the Skype incoming call chime. I didn't think Skype was running, and as I was Cmd-Tabbing through applications to see if I'd accidentally left Skype turned on, the webcam light briefly flashed. Skype wasn't running, but I double-checked by starting Activity Monitor, and didn't see any processes with Skype in the name.
I'm not totally sure it was the skype chime, because I don't use skype often. I do have google chat running in gmail with video chat enabled, but there were no visible notifications in the gmail window. I suppose it could've been a deceptive flash ad in a browser tab, but it's the webcam light that creeps me out. Any ideas what might have happened? Should I find a malware scanner? Is that even a thing? The last ask.metafilter match for "osx malware" is almost 2 years old.
posted by moonmilk
on Mar 14, 2013 -
4 answers
Open source software is considered trustworthy because anyone can validate the source code and hold the developer accountable. Usually developers will also make compiled binaries available for convenience. How can we know that these binaries are compiled from the
same source code the developer published, and not a malicious variant of it?
[more inside]
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis
on Feb 26, 2013 -
17 answers
Can anyone help me with a malware problem in system 7, possibly related to a recent ransomware attack?
[more inside]
posted by Huplescat
on Jan 30, 2013 -
16 answers
What do I *really* need to do in order to keep my computer reasonably save from malware and intrusions?
[more inside]
posted by lord_yo
on Dec 10, 2011 -
23 answers
I hate intrusive facebook.
My favorite facebook blocker is 3 versions of firefox behind and doesn't appear to be actively updated anymore. What's more, with the latest redesign, FB has a new social plugin thing on other sites that I can't figure out how to block. What's the best way to keep facebook and its assorted APIs, plugins, sniffers, trackers and malware on its own damn webpage?
posted by T.D. Strange
on Sep 22, 2011 -
13 answers
Windows XP. I can't get my Date/Time dialog to popup when clicking the clock, nor the video card/monitor properties to pop up (when right clicking desktop and choosing "properties"). I also have auto updates not being allowed to be turned on (or rather, the service is on, but in the control panel it says it can't be turned on). I think i got hit w/something a while back, but everything I've done to fix it isn't working.
[more inside]
posted by symbioid
on Jun 27, 2011 -
28 answers
Is this malware, and what do I do to handle this?? Long, convoluted problem inside.
[more inside]
posted by dunkadunc
on Jun 15, 2011 -
7 answers
My networked work PC was infected with what appears to be XP Shield. Questions about this specific piece of malware...
[more inside]
posted by Dr. Zira
on May 26, 2011 -
10 answers
I was surprised to find an option in the McAfee anti-virus enterprise management software, that "jokes" are a category that they block (
screenshot). What sort of jokes? Are any of these jokes awesome and/or funny?
[more inside]
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo
on Apr 7, 2011 -
5 answers
Do Cisco/Linksys routers sometimes redirect you to a Yahoo Toolbar download page when you try to go to Google, and if so how do they get away with it?
[more inside]
posted by miyabo
on Mar 25, 2011 -
10 answers
Malware. WIN7. Walked back into my house after UPS delivery gave me package, checked email, "Oh, look -- UPS is tracking the delivery. Cool." And I not only opened the email but clicked on the executable.
[more inside]
posted by dancestoblue
on Mar 23, 2011 -
16 answers
How paranoid should I be about my Windows XP Pro machine after hitting a dodgy site with Firefox 3.6, scanning with Microsoft Security Essentials, updating NoScript, scanning with MSE again, and finally using Windows to restore to yesterday's restore point, about 18 hours before hitting that site? Firefox is now missing NoScript completely, but it's been installed for weeks and surely should have been here yesterday morning. Has there been a known issue with NoScript, or am I just a special (and dim) snowflake?
[more inside]
posted by The True Wheel
on Nov 26, 2010 -
14 answers
My firefox homepage and keyword.URL have been hijacked by "eSnips". It's incredibly persistent and resists all attempts to change. How do I kick its ass?
[more inside]
posted by Senza Volto
on Nov 11, 2010 -
11 answers
How to protect against rootkits? Our computer was down with what we thought was malware but turned out to be a rootkit from China according to our computer guy (which would explain why we weren't able to take care of problems ourselves.) Any of y'all have any suggestions to keep this kind of stuff off our computers in future?
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies
on Jul 21, 2010 -
17 answers
My computer (XP SP2) is infected with malware that pretends to be User Account Control. Help!
[more inside]
posted by Praxis
on Apr 14, 2010 -
32 answers
So for the first time in...well, ever. I let my pc get infected. The virus is calling itself 'Internet Antivirus Pro'....and this is how it happened...
[more inside]
posted by dawson
on Jun 1, 2009 -
9 answers
I downloaded a .scr file that was probably a virus. I was at least smart enough to trash the file instead of opening it, but is it likely that my computer is infected, anyway; that the file is executed merely by downloading it? (NOTE: This happened on a Macbook Pro.)
[more inside]
posted by ProfLinusPauling
on May 24, 2009 -
9 answers
In light of the increasing number of PDF security exploits, what is the most secure PDF viewer for Windows?
[more inside]
posted by benzenedream
on Apr 1, 2009 -
5 answers
Facebook-filter: Somehow two links have been posted to my facebook page, NOT by me, which directly people to a website to "Vote for my modeling pic please :) http://theimageparlour.com/images/?&uploaded=58291H560.jpg" or similar ...
that pages contains malware or virus. How is this getting posted? How can I stop it? [more inside]
posted by unclezeb
on Mar 15, 2009 -
8 answers
I'm heading out tomorrow to work on my Mom's computer, which has been infected by Antivirus2009. Help me load up my flash drive with everything I need.
[more inside]
posted by tdismukes
on Jan 2, 2009 -
25 answers
I've read so much here lately
1 2 3 about not browsing as an admin, decided to
check it out and yepper, I surely was using an admin account. I've set up a non admin account, made a few other changes (described inside), hoping to find out from The Hive Mind if I am now safe enough to breathe easy(er).
[more inside]
posted by dancestoblue
on Jul 21, 2008 -
14 answers
My wife's computer (running XP Pro SP2) has fallen victim to a piece of malware called "WinFixer 2005". None of the spyware or virus tools I've tried (Norton, MS AntiSpyware, AdAware) have even been able to find it, let alone remove it. Has anyone managed to get rid of this thing?
posted by timeistight
on Sep 16, 2005 -
9 answers