Mysterious typing sound- is this a virus?

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Level 1

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Mysterious typing sound- is this a virus?

I hear a typing sound in the background.

It's not constant but happens daily.It has the cadence of someone typing can last up to 4-5 minutes but then usually stops.

It continues when I turn the AirPort off, close all programs- at least the programs I can tell are running, AND even when I hit mute.

I installed avast! and had 7 warnings. I deleted them all and still it continues.

Is it a virus? And if so how do i get rid of it? I can't come up with any other ideas...

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 16, 2013 8:14 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 16, 2013 8:26 PM in response to lennysmom

the ticking noise you are hearing could be your hard drive spinning because avast is running in the background constantly check your files for viruses that will never show up in your macbook.

why not uninstall avast and download clamx av instead and scan your macbook once in a while instead of avast automatically loading and slowing your macbook down.

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Apr 17, 2013 3:28 AM in response to lennysmom

Where is the sound coming from? I believe that all MacBook Pros have their hard drive in the front left corner. Is that where the sound is coming from? If so, your drive may be dying, as it's not normal for hard drive noise to be easily audible. You need to back up all your data immediately, especially if you don't have a regular backup plan in place. If the drive dies and you haven't backed up your data, your only option to get the data back will be a high-priced (somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000) data recovery service.

If, instead, the sound is coming from the speakers (try plugging in a pair of headphones to verify), then it's some software you've got installed, but not a virus, or any other kind of malware. One common cause of strange sounds is web page clippings that are kept open on the Dashboard.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 17, 2013 3:42 AM in response to thomas_r.

Thomas A Reed, greetings; You said "I believe that all MacBook Pros have their hard drive in the front left corner.". Not the case any more. Ex. 2011 and 2012 15" MBPs have it on the right side. But if you flip them over, then they do have it on the left side. 😝

Ciao.

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Answer 4

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Apr 17, 2013 3:48 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

But if you flip them over, then they do have it on the left side. 😝

Aha! Then I'm still right! 😉

Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't aware they had moved it in newer machines. If lennysmom is actually running 10.6.8, as her profile suggests, though, her hard drive will still be on the left.

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Answer 5

Apr 17, 2013 4:14 AM in response to thomas_r.

Thomas A Reed wrote:

But if you flip them over, then they do have it on the left side. 😝

Aha! Then I'm still right! 😉

Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't aware they had moved it in newer machines. If lennysmom is actually running 10.6.8, as her profile suggests, though, her hard drive will still be on the left.

My OS 10.6.8 running 2008 silver keyed MBP optical drive is on the right (right side up) side.

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Answer 6

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Apr 17, 2013 4:31 AM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Okay, I guess location isn't as consistent as I thought it was.

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Answer 7

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Apr 17, 2013 6:02 AM in response to thomas_r.

Apparently, as consistent as the typing sound the OP reported...

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Answer 8

lennysmom Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2013 12:45 PM in response to Bimmer 7 Series

I didn't install avast until after I heard the sounds. I did that in an attempt to get them to stop.

I will try clamx av- I had a hard time finding anything online that talked about a significant difference between the two.

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Answer 9

lennysmom Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2013 12:52 PM in response to thomas_r.

Hmmm.

I will try putting my ear up to the computer the next time it happens and see if I can locate a specific place.

I will also backup everything immediately. If it is the hard drive is there a fix?- the computer is less than 3 years old.

It continues even when I hit mute- so maybe this is what it is- it really does sound like someone typing- do you know if that is a common noise that hard drives make?

We bought the extra warranty so hopefully that covers this.

Should I just call apple at this point? I didn't want to call/take it in if it was just a virus I could get rid of myself.

Thanks a bunch!

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Answer 10

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 17, 2013 12:59 PM in response to lennysmom

If your MBP is still under Apple care, do not be bashful, take it in for an evaluation. One pays extra for Apple Care and should get their moneys worth if the need arises.

Ciao.

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