wagne3am

Q: Has my computer been hacked? Please help. I am creeped out.

Okay so this started a few weeks ago, as far as Iv'e noticed. When my computer screen goes black, like going to my screen savor etc. I see an image of an animal...a bear sitting up. I don't know if this means my computer is hacked, or someone is watching my computer but I seriously am creeped out. I put tape over my camera and don't know what to do from here. I am a college student and I have to have my computer. This sounds stupid but I don't see it all the time but I just seen it again tonight. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 8, 2015 7:14 PM

Close

Q: Has my computer been hacked? Please help. I am creeped out.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by AppleManUser,

    AppleManUser AppleManUser Apr 8, 2015 7:16 PM in response to wagne3am
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 8, 2015 7:16 PM in response to wagne3am

    Are you sure its not a screen saver picture? Check System Preferences and overlook the settings

  • by wagne3am,

    wagne3am wagne3am Apr 8, 2015 7:21 PM in response to AppleManUser
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 8, 2015 7:21 PM in response to AppleManUser

    I am pretty positive it is not. I know it sounds dumb but it's like a golden outline and animated looking. Then it isn't just before my screen savor appears, that was just an example, but it happens when my screen goes black but I haven't noticed it for a couple weeks until tonight.  I will try that though thank you.

  • by AppleManUser,

    AppleManUser AppleManUser Apr 8, 2015 7:25 PM in response to wagne3am
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 8, 2015 7:25 PM in response to wagne3am

    Let me know how it goes!

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Apr 9, 2015 2:04 AM in response to AppleManUser
    Level 10 (188,781 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 9, 2015 2:04 AM in response to AppleManUser

    See if yo have an adware by running

    Adwaremedic: Removes all known adware from your Mac

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Apr 9, 2015 3:30 AM in response to wagne3am
    Level 7 (30,919 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 9, 2015 3:30 AM in response to wagne3am

    wagne3am wrote:

     

    I know it sounds dumb but it's like a golden outline and animated looking. Then it isn't just before my screen savor appears, that was just an example, but it happens when my screen goes black

     

    It makes no sense at all to be worried about a hacker. This is most assuredly not the work of a hacker. Or malware, or anything else along those lines.

     

    Without being able to see it in person, it's difficult to say what it is. A few possibilities spring to mind.

     

    The first is image persistence, the LCD monitor equivalent to the burn-in of old CRTs. If an image remains on an LCD screen long enough, it can cause a faint version of that image to remain persistent on the screen afterwards, which would be most noticeable in situations like what you describe, when the screen is black. Fortunately, unlike burn-in, image persistence is not permanent. To fix it, see the information here:

     

    Avoiding image persistence on Apple displays - Apple Support

     

    The second is some kind of hardware damage to your screen. The third is a hardware issue with your computer's internals, probably the graphics card. These will need to be diagnosed and repaired by Apple.