Q: Have I been hacked?
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May 13, 2014 8:02 AMby Linc Davis,There are several possible causes for this issue. Please take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not apply in your case.
1. Follow the instructions in this support article, and also this one, if applicable. A damaged or defective AC adapter could be the cause, even if it's the right kind.
2. Open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and delete all pointing devices other than the trackpad, if applicable. Disconnect any USB pointing devices. By a "pointing device," I mean a peripheral that moves the cursor, such as a trackpad, mouse, trackball, or graphics tablet. A plain keyboard is not a pointing device.
3. Start up in safe mode and test, preferably without launching any third-party applications. If you don't have the problem in safe mode, but it comes back when you restart as usual, stop here and post your results. Do the same if you can't start in safe mode. If there was no difference in safe mode, go on to the next step.
4. Reset the System Management Controller.
5. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.
6. A swollen battery in a portable computer can impinge on the trackpad from below and cause erratic behavior. If you have trouble clicking the trackpad, this is likely the reason. The battery must be replaced without delay.
7. Press down all four corners of the trackpad at once and release. If there's any effect, it's likely to be temporary, and the unit needs to be serviced or replaced.
8. There's a report that a (possibly defective) Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter can cause the built-in trackpad of a MacBook to behave erratically. If you're using such an adapter, disconnect it and test.
9. There's also a of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.
10. If none of the above applies, or if you have another reason to think that your computer is being remotely controlled, remove it from the network by turning off Wi-Fi (or your Wi-Fi access point), disconnecting from a Bluetooth network link, and unplugging the Ethernet cable or USB modem, whichever is applicable. If the cursor movements stop at once, you should suspect an intrusion.
11. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine and/or external trackpad tested.
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May 13, 2014 2:04 PMby HowardJaxMug,HelpfulIf you use a USB wireless keyboard, trackpad, or mouse, read on ...
My system (MBPro c.a. 2012) has wireless USB keyboard and trackpad which always come on.
Thx Linc Davis! Your thorough and helpful reply helped me solve the same problem. Here's what happened to me and the resolution:
- MBPro has worked great for several years - and I work it hard!
- Once up and running, the Trackpad was immediately irratic --- thought a sec I was hacked too --- disabled internet, but still nearly uncontrollable. Wireless trackpad was working sort of, but clearly being interferred with by malfunctioning internal trackpad.
- Grabbed a USB mouse and started fighting The Beast... did backups, etc.
- Restarted in Safe Mode ... no change. Tried everything except Reset System Management Controller (aside to Linc. D. --- irratic trackpad was not in the list of "idicators" for doing s SMC reset ... still it makes sense to attemp that.)
- Restarted with USB wireless keyboard and USB wireless trackpad off ... still irratic ... powered down ... waited 2 hrs (Because I had cleaned it, thinking I might have used too much isopropyl alcohol and that some had gotten *under* the trackpad).
- Restarted with USB items off. Seem to work OK (for a while ), turned USB back on and then stared having wireless trackpad problems. (Oh Boy) Battery level 60% on keyboard and trackpad. So batteries looked good. (Hint hint) ... no other devices anywhere near. (Turned out, the alcohol wasn't completely gone, so it was irratic because of some in the sides of trackpad, throughing the capacitive touch out of whack.)
- Finnally just let it sit --- and replaced the trackpad batteries for the heck of it.
- It all works now as normal!
Conclusion: IGNORE THE wireless BATTERY LEVELS when devices start to be irratic. Just try replacing them before replacing your pulled out hair :-P (BTW, the old batteries in that trackpad now say 65% ... and they don't work. ... new ones do (so it's not corrosion or batt. connection issue)
