How can I stop a persistent cyberstalker from hacking my Mac, iPhone, and router?

Iscribe77 wrote:

Lol. Also, one of our neighbours a block away had used the name ‘MARWAN’ as their wifi name which appeared in the long list of available wifi networks. We reported to the police and are still doing so to this day regarding this hacking problem we have been having for almost two full years now.

Every available WiFi network that is in your area is supposed to appear in the WiFi settings of your device and that does not mean they have access to your computer/phone. They may also be able to see your WiFi network on their computer and as long as you have a password for it, then cannot access yours either. You also will not be able to access the MARWAN network unless you provide the password that they have set on their network. Did you really call the police because of this? That is what you are supposed to see and there would be a serious problem with your computer/device if you went to Settings > Wifi and no networks that were broadcasting in your area showed up there. The ones with a lock symbol next to them, including yours, means that a password is required in order to access that network.

Do you think that since you have a neighbor that named their WiFi network MARWAN that they are some notorious hacker that is wanted by the FBI? You and everyone else can name their own WiFi network whatever they want. You could even name yours "IAmAHacker" and that means nothing.

No, you should not be using any of the AntiVirus/VPN packages, as you have found out they also show false positives claiming they have resolved a problem and that is how they try to prove to you that you need to keep paying for their service and justify a purchase you previously made. Unfortunately they profit off your fear and personally I consider that malicious use of software, which is actually the meaning of Malware.

It is also important to know the difference between an Account compromise and a Device compromise. Accounts are compromised quite easily, simply with the password used on that account and spreads to other accounts quickly when the same password is used on multiple account. To resolve an Account compromise issue, you have to change that password and that does not mean your device is compromised and it appears you are confusing the two. If you believe your Apple Account has been compromised then follow the steps here:

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

Unfortunately I don't think Google has been your friend here and it has just led you to believe everything you see means you are being hacked and this has been a rabbit hole you have followed for years. It appears you believe have a Keylogger installed somewhere that is capable of intercepting everything you type and if you think that is from your iPhone, then just know that is not possible unless you allowed someone physical access to your phone along with your Passcode/Password in order to "jailbreak" your phone. It cannot be done accidentally or remotely and you would clearly know if that was the case.

On your Mac, you can provide the free EtreCheck report that will detail what you have installed on your computer and is running in the background. If anything nefarious appears there, then can be identified and you would be advised what you should delete and how to do it. Be prepared, that any Antivirus/VPN that is installed, you will also be advised to delete them too, since despite their claims it actually leaves your device more susceptible because all your internet traffic is being routed to them and it is another vector where their servers can be breached exposing your data.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

You don't need AV for either Mac or iPhone. Unless your company or school requires it you don't need a VPN. Stop buying and installing them on everything. They are a waste of money. They don't do anything useful. Stop using them. Uninstall them.

If you've installed any disc cleaners then uninstall them too.

If your Mac isn't connected to a router, the internet, r wifi or bluetooth then there's no way that anyone can manipulate your computer in the way you have described. I don't know what you're seeing, but it is not someone hacking into your Mac remotely. Have you installed any other "protection" or "firewall" type apps from the internet? If so, uninstall them.

Have you installed any apps whatsoever directly from the web (as opposed to the App Store). If so, what are they?

You need to hire a technician who can check your devices, set them up for you and, most importantly, explain how they work and how to use them.

What makes you think your M3 Mini has been hacked?

Please download and run Etrecheck.  The free version is sufficient. It's a diagnostic app that examines your system and hardware and does not include any personal information.

Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and after clicking on the Reply button use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

"Even if I unplug our router, turn off the wifi and bluetooth (I keep bluetooth off always) the hacker can still manipulate the computer."

Since you have an iMac, I don't find this credible.

With the router unplugged, there is no internet connection to that router. Some routers have backup batteries, does yours? If not, then it has no power, meaning no internet.

Presumably there are two other ways someone other than you could connect to an iMac: Bluetooth and WiFi. But you say Bluetooth and WiFi are off. So now it comes down to physics: no physical way via cable (router) nor radio waves (Bluetooth, WiFi) to access the iMac. So I find the outsider manipulation of your iMac not credible here.

It makes me wonder what else to consider from your long list of "compromised" devices.

Does someone have physical access to your iMac and other devices?

I forgot to add that the iPhone is nearly impossible to hack. The only way it can be is with software from an Israeli firm that costs ~$500,000 US and they don't sell to individuals.

Please state what makes you think you're being hacked and describe in detail the instances that make you think you're being hacked.

Also please run and post the Etrecheck report as I asked earlier.

 OT 

Iscribe77 wrote:

{"code":500,"error":true,"errorMessage":"Internal Server Error","exception":"org.springframework.http.converter.HttpMessageNotWritableException","exceptionMessage":"No converter for [class java.lang.String] with preset Content-Type 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'","exceptionStack":null,"message":"Internal Server Error","violations":[]}

This is not a hack. This is a server error. It has nothing to do with your Mac. If you were accessing these forums a little while back today it was an issue with the forum servers. I saw it too. There is no hack. It's an error with the server on Apple's side when trying to access the content you requested.

My second question is what can I possibly do to protect a brand new Iphone from just being hacked like our Iphone 14’s were so easily hacked beginning two years ago.

iPhones cannot be easily hacked. It takes lots of expertise, time money and very, very expensive hardware and software to hack an iPhone remotely.

Unless you are a high-profile target, like a government official., diplomat, movie star or other high value target, it's almost impossible you would be the subject of a direct hack. You're just not worth it to hackers.

Keeping an iPhone updated with the most recent iOS version is the best way to keep vulnerabilities at a minimum.

Apple continuously finds and fixes any vulnerabilities and issues that can allow someone to access your device.

If you explain what is happening that least you to believe you are the victim of a hacking attempt, someone may be able to advise.

Also - what's the router make and model. Is its firmware up to date?

to tell you the truth then this sounds like

1. something next level way beyond us, average users skill level
2. something that exists mostly in your mind.