i have been a victim of a scam and need to check my computer to make sure it's clean
how do I check for viruses
Mac mini
how do I check for viruses
Mac mini
The only way you can be sure that the computer is not compromised is to erase at least the startup volume and restore it to something like the state it was in before the attack. The easiest approach is to recover the entire system from a backup that predates the attack. Obviously, that's only practical if you know when the attack took place, and it was recent, and you have such a backup. You will lose all changes to data, such as email, that were made after the time of the snapshot. Some of those changes can be restored from a later backup.
If you don't know when the attack happened, or if it was too long ago for a complete rollback to be practical, then you should erase and install OS X. If you don't already have at least two complete, independent backups of all data, then you must make them first. One backup is not enough to be safe.
When you restart after the installation, you'll be prompted to go through the initial setup process for a new computer. That’s when you transfer the data from a backup in Setup Assistant.
Select only users in the Setup Assistant dialog—not Applications, Other files and folders, or Computer & Network Settings. Don't transfer the Guest account, if it was enabled.
Reinstall third-party software from original media or fresh downloads—not from a backup, which could be contaminated.
Unless you were the target of an improbably sophisticated attack, this procedure will leave you with a clean system. If you have reason to think that you were the target of a sophisticated attack, then you need expert help.
The above being done, change all Internet passwords and check all financial accounts for unauthorized transactions. Do this after the system has been secured, not before.
yes, I had called a support number from the Linksys website and someone called me back. turns out either the call I made was intercepted or the website I went to was a bogus one.
Since there are no virus for the Mac, I doubt that it has been infected by one.
If this was a popup on your browser claiming your Mac was infected, they are scams.
Usually those scams have a phone number that they want you to call.
Did you call it?
Did you allow the miscreants to have access to your Mac?
thank you for the reply. I hear that mac's are virus proof but I was not sure of the validity of that statement.
so my only exposure was when they were connected? If they are no longer connected I should be safe?
I would change the passwords for all accounts used on the Mac
Monitor your financial institutions carefully for abnormal activity
Boot to Recovery or install DVD and format/erase the startup disk and install a fresh copy of your OSX. They may have left malicious software on your Mac
To date there has not been a virus released into the wild that can attack a Mac. There is malware, trojans and phishing attacks which the user must allow to install on their Macs.
That depends on what the miscreants did while they were on your computer. If they stole your personal information then your bank accounts are in jeopardy. Personally in addition to what Illaass suggested, I would request that your credit company close your current cards and issue you new ones. Also there is no telling what they may have issued on your Mac. such as a key logger or bot software so that they can use your computer to send out spam email.
sadly yes. they were on teamviewer to trouble shoot a problem with our router.
How was that call for service initiated?
Did they call you?
i have been a victim of a scam and need to check my computer to make sure it's clean