Mac is peeping into my screens, taking screenshots of what im working on.

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Level 1

11 points

Mac is peeping into my screens, taking screenshots of what im working on.

Using MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) 10.14.2

The computer seems to randomly take an automatic screenshot (screen flickers)

This usually happens when on Safari, Any app, any 3rd party app....usually pretty random.

It gives me the creeps and I feel someone is aware of what I am doing. I feel something fishy is going on. I don't go to creepy websites, so it must be something to do with Apple themselves. I hope this is not a hardware issue.

Please let me know whats going on. Im scared to use my computer now. Nothing in this world is safe anymore.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jul 30, 2020 2:42 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,728 points

Jul 30, 2020 2:56 AM in response to paulvudr

Highly unlikely, this sounds like you have set your mac to 'flash' when an alert sound occurs.

Open System Preferences> Accessibility> (scroll down to) Audio, there you will see Flash the screen when an alert sound occurs.

Make sure it is unchecked.

By the way that is the second consecutive day you have been wearing that shirt.

And we are not entirely convinced on the colour of your walls.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

159,186 points

Jul 30, 2020 8:46 AM in response to paulvudr

I understand that you have reason to believe something odd is happening with your Mac. By default, Screenshots are deposited onto your Mac's Desktop or other location specified in its options.

Please confirm that they appear there. If not, then something else is going on that you need to explain in greater detail. Explain why you're afraid to use your Mac. No one should be afraid to do that.

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Answer 3

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,728 points

Jul 30, 2020 4:11 AM in response to paulvudr

Click on this link which discusses screen flickering on macs from 2017.

MacBook Pro screen flickering solution - Apple Community

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Answer 4

paulvudr Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 30, 2020 3:24 AM in response to paulvudr

Also I was wondering why apple only wants to hear a "Yes" from its user?

Both "correct answer" and "helpful answer" are synonymous, isn't it?

Where is "Not Helpful Answer" and "Wrong Answer"?

Do you assume Apple is always right and customer is always wrong? I feel that with those two options.

Where is "Not Helpful Answer" and "Wrong Answer"?

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Answer 5

Jul 30, 2020 6:31 AM in response to paulvudr

I assume that if an answer is marked solved or helpful it solved or it helped. If the answer was not marked as either then I assume the answer was not helpful, unless the OP just didn't bother to mark the answer at all.

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Answer 6

Kurt Lang

Level 9

71,341 points

Jul 30, 2020 6:49 AM in response to paulvudr

Both "correct answer" and "helpful answer" are synonymous, isn't it?

No, not really. A helpful suggestion can simply be a nudge in the right direction, but may not fix the issue, or even turn out to be of little help at all after trying it. Solved means just that. It's a definitive word that can only mean a successful conclusion.

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Answer 7

paulvudr Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 30, 2020 3:06 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Thanks Eau for the quick response.

But sorry thats not the case and I tested the flash as well, attached snapshot. And FYI, the screenshot does not feel like the whole screen is flashing, it feels like a particular area of the screen which is active is being shot or just the app screenshot has been taken. Im really feeling very nervous using the computer. Highly creepy.

Most assuredly, there must be something else going on.

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Answer 8

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,728 points

Jul 30, 2020 4:00 AM in response to paulvudr

Not really understanding the experience you are having, it is certainly not an issue many people are reporting,

perhaps you can explain it in more detail. Perhaps you have installed malware/ adware, try running the free

version of https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

I think if companies were 'stealing' your browsing history or computer usage details they would make more

effort to disguise their activities than by alerting you by flashing your screen.

As for the question about Apple only wanting a 'yes' then you will need to ask Apple about that, these communities

are for users to speak to users, Apple does not really take any active part in here.

If you want to tell them something try here, https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html

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Mac is peeping into my screens, taking screenshots of what im working on.

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