Can macs get bugs? If so, how do I clean it?

Sounds like Search is trying to anticipate the site your looking for. As a test just type in the first couple of letters and them wait for a second to see what comes up for selections.

For example: when I type in the letter "a" I get all kinds of choices.

but then when I add a "p" I start getting a more narrowed down list of choices.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up guest users” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem(s)?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

1. Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
2. When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
3. If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Hi Chris,

Im not sure what you mean by bugs (if you are speaking of virus and malware) there is a ongoing battle on the forms about that subject...... so you may want to do a search on AV or Anti-virus and malware in the communities to receive everyones input and insights...

As for myself i use a anti-virus for safety.....

As for cleaning up the mac, there are a lot of opinoins on that one too. From, using the mac default clean up tools

to onyx and other pproducts along those lines. as for myself I do use third party tools however,

I am only using app store applications due to sandboxing - also read the reviews in the app store for your own safety.

Depends on what you mean by Bugs?

Anyone's software can have Bugs including Microsoft and Apple, generally they are just slightly annoying things that don't work as expected and cause no real harm.

If you mean Viruses, no OS X does not get Viruses like Windows and you do not need AV Software.

You can however get Malware from downloading junkware from torrent and other unscrupulous sites.

For more on the subject, see > Thomas' Tech Corner » Mac Malware Guide

Lastly if you are having issues, you need to be more clear about what the issue is so that we can help you with that.

Chris,

go to system pref - keyboard and check your typing speed (most likely isnt the issue - but its a worth while to check). Also, I remember seeing an issue in the forums about Chrome / fonts and I believe word (please search the forum under Chrome.... It is due to that reason, I would suggest you do an orderly unintall of chrome (it may be the reason) and then restart your computer

http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95319

Unfortunately, I don't know what's causing that problem, though it's definitely not malware unless you have stumbled on something brand new. That's always possible, but unlikely.

There are a couple things you can try. First, try starting up in safe mode by holding down the shift key at startup. This will disable all third-party software that loads at startup, among other things. Then test and see if the problem is gone. If it is, and it comes back after you reboot normally, it's some third-party software you have installed.

If that doesn't help, try creating a new user account in System Preferences -> Users & Groups. Then log out of your account and log in to that new account. Test. Does the problem still happen, or is it gone?

What malware was identified and where were those files? Chances are good that they are Windows malware, and because Sophos told you to manually remove them, I'd guess they're probably e-mail attachments. (If anti-virus software deletes your e-mail messages for you, that will corrupt your mailboxes.)

Chirs,

I am sure most everyone will agree its had to make that determination with the information at hand and not having the computer in front of them.

I did a google search on the following "sophos remove files manually" and found a bunch of information, which may help

That depends on the answers to the questions I asked: What malware was identified and where were those files? Sophos should still have them listed in its quarantine, so you can find that information there.