Virus / Spyware? Tiny bug crawling on screen

Question

Level 1

6 points

Virus / Spyware? Tiny bug crawling on screen

I've got what looks like a tiny bug randomly crawling around my screen. After researching a bit - I thought it might be a real but - but it's not. I know this because when the hard drive is being accessed and the computer's at work - the "bug" stops moving, or slows down, then speeds up again.

My kids have recently started using my computer - so I'm not sure if they opened up an attachment or not. The computer has been running a bit slower lately - so I'm concerned there's some spyware or a virus on the machine.

Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks -
Dan

iMac

Posted on Feb 28, 2011 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Feb 28, 2011 11:14 AM in response to IrishDan

Welcome to the forums!

My kids have recently started using my computer

Hmmmm!

Ask them whether they have installed a screensaver that shows a bug walking round - there are several out there!

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Answer 2

IrishDan Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 28, 2011 11:18 AM in response to Klaus1

Thanks for the welcome. I'll check with them (they'll all deny everything!).

It's present when I'm using the computer - not just when it's idle. I noticed it when using Firefox over the weekend - and then saw it when I was in Finder as well.

Quite peculiar . . . .

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Answer 3

db24401

Level 4

1,564 points

Feb 28, 2011 11:35 AM in response to IrishDan

Does the bug appear on all user accounts?
Perhaps you might create a new account to see if the crawling bug does or not appear there?

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Answer 4

IrishDan Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 28, 2011 1:14 PM in response to db24401

I'll check tonight when I get home . . .

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Answer 5

Jun 10, 2011 9:50 AM in response to IrishDan

Hi Dan - I seem to have the same issue - how did it resolve for you? Thanks, Guy

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Answer 6

towps

Level 1

8 points

Jun 24, 2011 6:18 PM in response to guyfixsen

was this ever resolved?

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Answer 7

Jun 25, 2011 1:51 AM in response to towps

No. But then again it hasn't happened again in a couple of weeks.

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Answer 8

Jun 28, 2011 1:59 AM in response to guyfixsen

I have this too, noticed it yesterday. Tiny little black line that I thought was a real bug in the screen at first but it's moving in a digital way.

Help much appreciated PLEASE

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Answer 9

Jetti10

Level 1

0 points

Jul 26, 2011 2:10 PM in response to IrishDan

I am having the same problem right now and can't find any answers.

Has anyone figured out how to get rid of it?

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

238,997 points

Jul 26, 2011 3:02 PM in response to Jetti10

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 "bug" in Safe Mode...

PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive

Reboot, test again.

If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport in 10.4 & below, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.

Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.

Check any DashBoard Widgets installed.

Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...

/private/var/run/StartupItems

/Library/StartupItems

/System/Library/StartupItems

/System/Library/LaunchDaemons

/Library/LaunchDaemons

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