VTskierchick
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: virus scan OSx

I think I may have downloaded a virus.  My screen went gray and the scrolling wheel appeared for a few moments after I used an online program to convert a .pdf to a .doc.  Any recommendations for a virus scan?

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Sep 9, 2013 7:36 PM

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VTskierchick

Q: virus scan OSx

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 9, 2013 7:37 PM in response to VTskierchick
    Level 10 (314,533 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2013 7:37 PM in response to VTskierchick

    Use ClamXav or Sophos.

     

    (88743)

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Sep 9, 2013 9:14 PM in response to VTskierchick
    Level 5 (4,801 points)
    Sep 9, 2013 9:14 PM in response to VTskierchick

    VTskierchick wrote:

     

    I think I may have downloaded a virus.

    Since you appear to have your software fully up-to-date your are completely protected against all known malware, depending on how you downloaded that file. As long as you used a browser that supports Quarantine and haven't disabled GateKeeper you would have received a warning when trying to open the downloaded file. The only other possibilities involve Java. If you have it enabled in the browser that you used and it's not up-to-date or it's a new threat, then you could have been infected. If you never installed Java, don't.

     

    Apple currently makes the following recommendations:

     

    To help limit exposure to potential Java web app vulnerabilities, try to follow this best practice:

    1. Enable Java in your web browser only when you need to run a Java web app.
    2. Confine your web browser only to the websites that need the Java web app. Do not open any other websites while the Java web plug-in is enabled.
    3. When you are done, disable the Java web plug-in. See How to disable the Java web plug-in in Safari.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Sep 9, 2013 9:35 PM in response to VTskierchick
    Level 9 (50,431 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2013 9:35 PM in response to VTskierchick

    There are plenty of junk programs to download that can do what you describe, make your Internet browser unresponsive, or simply crash your Mac. That in itself does not imply you have a virus.

     

    Can you provide a description of the site from which you downloaded the program? Please don't post its exact URL - obscure it creatively so others won't inadvertently click on it. Or, explain how you found it, or the name of the program if it was something you installed. I'll try to duplicate your problem.

     

    Other than the program you downloaded or website that appears not to work to convert your PDF to an editable document, is your Mac operating normally?