Odd behavior on iMac (10.6.8) -- virus? attack?

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Level 1

5 points

Odd behavior on iMac (10.6.8) -- virus? attack?

Two strange things have happened lately: (1) My screen will suddenly go dark -- not full dark, but "glow" dark -- and I have to turn off the power and reboot before I regain control of the computer. (2) I will put the computer in Sleep mode and return sometime later to see a line of dots in the password field of the sign-in screen. When I clear the dots, a new line will start to appear. The computer is for home use and is not networked. Does anyone have any thoughts about what might be going on?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 13, 2013 9:13 AM

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Answer 1

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rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,478 points

Jan 13, 2013 9:21 AM in response to Katmandu123

No viruses are out there for OS X however there can be other types of malware. The best method of keeping yoru system free and clear is keeping it up-to-date by running Software Update and installing the recommended updates. Also NEVER every download software from a site you don't trust 100%, if a site "tells" you you must download something then navigate away from that site.

You said your system isn't networked, please clarify. I'm assuming you are using it to access the Internet, if so then it's on the biggest network there is the WWW. Your screen issues could be cause be the need to do some basic resets such as iMac SMC and PRAM reset and restarting in Safe Mode which will clear some caches.

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Answer 2

WZZZ

Level 6

13,220 points

Jan 13, 2013 9:22 AM in response to Katmandu123

It's almost certainly not a virus. Sounds hardware related, maybe the grahics card is going south. Run the Hardware Test in extended. Not a great diagnostic, so coming up negative won't be all that meaningul, but a positive can be trusted.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

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Answer 3

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Jan 13, 2013 9:23 AM in response to Katmandu123

What year was your Mac made?

In any event it is failing in someway. None of that stuff happens to a good working system. Virus? I doubt it. Attack from outside? You say it isn't networked so how could someone get to from over the internet.

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Answer 4

Katmandu123 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2013 2:16 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I'm up-to-date on all updates, etc. You're right, of course, about the web being the world's largest network. I meant to say that it's a home computer not tapped into any LAN.

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Answer 5

Katmandu123 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2013 2:17 PM in response to WZZZ

Ran the test before I put the question on the board. I also had the machine stress-tested at an Apple store. I'm beginning to think gnomes are involved.

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