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Macbook Pro keep crashing

Hi All,


My mid 2010 Macbook Pro been crashing lately, not often, but quite troublesome, it happens just like that, suddenly the screen went into grey screen of death and after a press of a key it reboots itself. sometimes it happen right after I wake it up from sleep.


Initially I though that the CPU or the GPU is over heating since sometime the screen show a little white strips just bellow the menu, but the strip not always present. And I have serviced it, but, the repair shop didn't find any trouble so they just clean the fan and internal and put a new thermal grease, however, the crashing still happen after, the thing is I can't seem to recreate the problem because it's seem so random, the crashing happen on heavy and light load, also there are no specific time interval, once I tried to open all the heavy load program and open big files all together but the crashing didn't happen.


I hope you can help me, I'm at a lost and buying a new MBP is not a good option at the moment



Thank You


B


Here's the copy of the latest crash report


Thu Nov 26 15:42:11 2015


*** Panic Report ***

panic(cpu 3 caller 0xffffff7f8a656bad): "GPU Panic: [<None>] 5 3 7f 0 0 0 0 3 : NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x00000100: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff912395f000 0x0a5480a2, D0, P2/4\n"@/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleGraphicsControl/AppleGraphic sControl-3.11.33.1/src/AppleMuxControl/kext/GPUPanic.cpp:127

Backtrace (CPU 3), Frame : Return Address

0xffffff8110f2b0a0 : 0xffffff80074e5307

0xffffff8110f2b120 : 0xffffff7f8a656bad

0xffffff8110f2b200 : 0xffffff7f88327fa4

0xffffff8110f2b2c0 : 0xffffff7f883f4add

0xffffff8110f2b300 : 0xffffff7f883f4b48

0xffffff8110f2b380 : 0xffffff7f88679a23

0xffffff8110f2b4f0 : 0xffffff7f88418b79

0xffffff8110f2b510 : 0xffffff7f8832ecfd

0xffffff8110f2b5c0 : 0xffffff7f8832c690

0xffffff8110f2b7c0 : 0xffffff7f8832d76f

0xffffff8110f2b8a0 : 0xffffff7f89aff0ea

0xffffff8110f2b8e0 : 0xffffff7f89b0eaa3

0xffffff8110f2b900 : 0xffffff7f89b3d3ea

0xffffff8110f2b940 : 0xffffff7f89b3d449

0xffffff8110f2b980 : 0xffffff7f89b14642

0xffffff8110f2b9d0 : 0xffffff7f89ae00ae

0xffffff8110f2ba70 : 0xffffff7f89adbf51

0xffffff8110f2baa0 : 0xffffff7f89ad9ae5

0xffffff8110f2bae0 : 0xffffff8007ae2057

0xffffff8110f2bb80 : 0xffffff8007ae4828

0xffffff8110f2bbe0 : 0xffffff8007ae1967

0xffffff8110f2bd20 : 0xffffff80075a07d0

0xffffff8110f2be30 : 0xffffff80074e9aa3

0xffffff8110f2be60 : 0xffffff80074cd478

0xffffff8110f2bea0 : 0xffffff80074dcfd5

0xffffff8110f2bf10 : 0xffffff80075c13aa

0xffffff8110f2bfb0 : 0xffffff80075f4b36

Kernel Extensions in backtrace:

com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl(3.11.33b1)[FF6CE9C5-9D8F-3A48-9D10-2BB9C2DDD22 7]@0xffffff7f8a648000->0xffffff7f8a65bfff

dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl(3.11.33b1)[4ADB751E-5208-3DA7-A8C3-E9EC07 263B16]@0xffffff7f8a640000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[CBAE26D8-0ACB-3C1F-8347-FDCA67EC40B3]@0xfffff f7f880f2000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[8E5F549E-0055-3C0E-93F8-E872A048E31B]@0xffffff 7f87d3e000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.4.1)[48AC8EA9-BD3C-3FDC-908D-09850215AA32]@0 xffffff7f8827a000

dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert(1.1.0)[5CB7D4B7-B100-34EE-BD40-1EC07E865C 67]@0xffffff7f8a643000

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla(10.0)[05FC5D7E-BB0B-3232-BBBD-8A49B687 0D8B]@0xffffff7f882d1000->0xffffff7f88546fff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[8E5F549E-0055-3C0E-93F8-E872A048E31B]@0xffffff 7f87d3e000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.4.1)[814A7F4B-03EF-384A-B205-9840F0594421]@0xff ffff7f882c1000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.4.1)[48AC8EA9-BD3C-3FDC-908D-09850215AA32]@0 xffffff7f8827a000

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDANV50HalTesla(10.0)[56199CA6-3C8D-3EBB-B5EF-7B1B467 8ACF9]@0xffffff7f88551000->0xffffff7f887fefff

dependency: com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla(10.0.0)[05FC5D7E-BB0B-3232-BBBD-8A49B6 870D8B]@0xffffff7f882d1000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[8E5F549E-0055-3C0E-93F8-E872A048E31B]@0xffffff 7f87d3e000

com.apple.GeForceTesla(10.0)[49982DF3-8146-3BD0-AD3F-A7E7AB5ACBB5]@0xffffff7f89 abe000->0xffffff7f89b89fff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[8E5F549E-0055-3C0E-93F8-E872A048E31B]@0xffffff 7f87d3e000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.4.1)[814A7F4B-03EF-384A-B205-9840F0594421]@0xff ffff7f882c1000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.4.1)[48AC8EA9-BD3C-3FDC-908D-09850215AA32]@0 xffffff7f8827a000

dependency: com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla(10.0.0)[05FC5D7E-BB0B-3232-BBBD-8A49B6 870D8B]@0xffffff7f882d1000


BSD process name corresponding to current thread: WindowServer


Mac OS version:

15B42


Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 15.0.0: Sat Sep 19 15:53:46 PDT 2015; root:xnu-3247.10.11~1/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: AB5FC1B4-12E7-311E-8E6F-9023985D8C1D

Kernel slide: 0x0000000007200000

Kernel text base: 0xffffff8007400000

__HIB text base: 0xffffff8007300000

System model name: MacBookPro6,2 (Mac-F22586C8)


System uptime in nanoseconds: 13274547069733

last loaded kext at 956158422439: com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 3.0.0 (addr 0xffffff7f8a783000, size 409600)

last unloaded kext at 1169706234203: com.apple.driver.StorageLynx 3.7.1 (addr 0xffffff7f8a765000, size 8192)

loaded kexts:

com.sophos.kext.sav 9.4.50

com.sophos.nke.swi 9.4.50

com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 3.0.0

com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.7.7

com.apple.driver.Oxford_Semi 3.7.1

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch 90.3

com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.70

com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0

com.apple.driver.AGPM 110.20.21

com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0

com.apple.driver.AppleOSXWatchdog 1

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 124

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 272.50.31

com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 272.50.31

com.apple.driver.pmtelemetry 1

com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.1

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.4.2f1

com.apple.GeForceTesla 10.0.0

com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphics 10.0.0

com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.6.1

com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.4d1

com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl 3.11.33b1

com.apple.driver.AppleHV 1

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelSlowAdaptiveClocking 4.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.2.13

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphicsFB 10.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU 208

com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 4.4.2f1

com.apple.driver.AppleSMCPDRC 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 3.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 245.4

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 245.4

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader 3.7.1

com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 327.5

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0

com.apple.BootCache 37

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.8.0

com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 800.20.24

com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet 10.1.11

com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 5.5.2

com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 3.1.5

com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBEHCIPCI 1.0.1

com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 161.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 4.0

com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 2.1

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 4.0

com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 218.0.0

com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 163

com.apple.security.quarantine 3

com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 8

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 218.0.0

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSerialBusProtocolTransport 2.5.1

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSBP2 4.2.7

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDKeyboard 181

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 181

com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 4.4.2f1

com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver 304.9

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDTransport 5

com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl 3.11.33b1

com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0

com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 272.50.31

com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 525

com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 108.0.1

com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 11

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDANV50HalTesla 10.0.0

com.apple.driver.CoreCaptureResponder 1

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla 10.0.0

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.6

com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.11.33b1

com.apple.iokit.IOSlowAdaptiveClockingFamily 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.1.0

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.14d1

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 4.4.2f1

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.4.2f1

com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 272.50.31

com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 272.50.31

com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 204.1

com.apple.vecLib.kext 1.2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.9

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.14d1

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 6.0.0d7

com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.4.1

com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.4.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 250.4

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.7.7

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageDriver 1.0.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.7.7

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 900.4.1

com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBHostCompositeDevice 1.0.1

com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBHub 1.0.1

com.apple.driver.CoreStorage 517

com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController 1.0.3b3

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.8

com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 1101.24

com.apple.driver.mDNSOffloadUserClient 1.0.1b8

com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.2

com.apple.driver.corecapture 1.0.4

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.8.0

com.apple.driver.usb.AppleUSBEHCI 1.0.1

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 900.4.1

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHostFamily 1.0.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHostMergeProperties 1.0.1

com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 2.0

com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 2.0.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1

com.apple.security.sandbox 300.0

com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1

com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 2

com.apple.driver.AppleMobileFileIntegrity 1.0.5

com.apple.driver.AppleCredentialManager 1.0

com.apple.driver.DiskImages 415

com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 2.1

com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily 31

com.apple.driver.AppleFDEKeyStore 28.30

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 4.0

com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.9

com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4

com.apple.kec.Libm 1

com.apple.kec.pthread 1

com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Nov 26, 2015 1:23 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 26, 2015 9:28 AM

A

You have the MacBookPro6,2—the Edsel of Macs. It may have the logic-board defect that was covered by a recall program that has now ended.

The model was discontinued in February 2011. As of five years from that date, it will be classified by Apple as a "vintage product." That means Apple will most likely refuse to service it (but see the exceptions on the linked page.) In that case, you would have to go to an independent service provider. The part may no longer be available, or the repair may not be cost-effective.

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider, to have the machine tested. The routine hardware diagnostics used by service providers do not detect the fault. There is a specific test for this issue that Apple calls "VST" (for "Video Switching Test.") Ask for it. A "Failed" result means that the fault is present.

You may be quoted a price of about $350 (in the U.S.) for a "depot repair," which involves shipping the unit to a central repair facility and takes about two weeks. For that flat fee, anything found wrong with it should be fixed, not just the logic board.

Sometimes the replacement part is also defective, so be prepared for that possibility. If you decide to pay for a new logic board, test thoroughly during the 90-day warranty period on the repair. Some owners have reported that they went through as many as three replacement boards before getting one that worked.

If you don't want to pay for the repair, you may (or may not) be able to work around the problem by disabling automatic graphics switching. To use the discrete graphics processor, you'll need a third-party utility to switch to it manually.

Often the problems start after an OS upgrade. If the upgrade was recent, and you have backups, then you can revert to a previous OS X version.

B

Please remove the Sophos product (which is not causing the panics, but will cause other problems) by following the instructions on this page, and also this one, if applicable. If you have a different version, the procedure may be different.

Back up all data before making any changes. Never install any "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" software again.

4 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Nov 26, 2015 9:28 AM in response to bajang14

A

You have the MacBookPro6,2—the Edsel of Macs. It may have the logic-board defect that was covered by a recall program that has now ended.

The model was discontinued in February 2011. As of five years from that date, it will be classified by Apple as a "vintage product." That means Apple will most likely refuse to service it (but see the exceptions on the linked page.) In that case, you would have to go to an independent service provider. The part may no longer be available, or the repair may not be cost-effective.

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider, to have the machine tested. The routine hardware diagnostics used by service providers do not detect the fault. There is a specific test for this issue that Apple calls "VST" (for "Video Switching Test.") Ask for it. A "Failed" result means that the fault is present.

You may be quoted a price of about $350 (in the U.S.) for a "depot repair," which involves shipping the unit to a central repair facility and takes about two weeks. For that flat fee, anything found wrong with it should be fixed, not just the logic board.

Sometimes the replacement part is also defective, so be prepared for that possibility. If you decide to pay for a new logic board, test thoroughly during the 90-day warranty period on the repair. Some owners have reported that they went through as many as three replacement boards before getting one that worked.

If you don't want to pay for the repair, you may (or may not) be able to work around the problem by disabling automatic graphics switching. To use the discrete graphics processor, you'll need a third-party utility to switch to it manually.

Often the problems start after an OS upgrade. If the upgrade was recent, and you have backups, then you can revert to a previous OS X version.

B

Please remove the Sophos product (which is not causing the panics, but will cause other problems) by following the instructions on this page, and also this one, if applicable. If you have a different version, the procedure may be different.

Back up all data before making any changes. Never install any "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" software again.

Nov 26, 2015 10:10 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thank you Linc Davis, you're a wizard, as of fact, I just found out about the model defect today from other forum and from you, I've done what you suggest and turn off the automatic graphic switching and everything went smooth now, I'm still considering to install the third party utility since I'm fear that it make things worst, but maybe I'll give it a try should the need arise.


Just out of curiosity, why'd you mentioned that I need to remove sophos and any anti-virus? I install it since sometimes I receive files from usb flash disk and mostly it came from PC and mostly it contains virus or maleware of sort, I thought i need to protect my mac.


Again thank you for your prompt reply, this really help me....


Best


B

Nov 28, 2015 1:35 AM in response to bajang14

Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" (AV) or "anti-malware" software. The short answer is "no," but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat.

1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions.

It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to take control of it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. AV software is not intended to, and does not, defend against such attacks.

The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5 and 11.

OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as file quarantine, execute disable, sandboxing, system integrity protection, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.

2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."

The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.

The following caveats apply to XProtect:

☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.

☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.

As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.

3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't been checked for security by Apple unless it comes from the App Store, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)

Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:

☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.

☞ A malware attacker could find a way around it, or could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.

☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.

Apple has taken far too long to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. Those lapses don't involve App Store products, however.

For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.

4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background. It checks for, and removes, malware that matches a recognition database maintained by Apple. To ensure that MRT will run when that database is updated, open the App Store pane in System Preferences and check the box marked

Install system data files and security updates

if it's not already checked.

Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise it has no user interface.

5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, not machine behavior, and no technological fix alone is going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.

The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and Internet criminals. If you're better informed than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in effect, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.

Software from an untrustworthy source

☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.

☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.

☞ Rogue websites such as CNET Download, MacUpdate, Soft32, Softonic, and SourceForge distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."

☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.

Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal

☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."

☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.

Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers

☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)

☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.

☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.

☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.

☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.

☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."

Unexpected events

☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.

☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.

☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.

☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.

I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.

6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.

Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.

Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable itnot JavaScript—in your browsers.

Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a padlock icon in the address bar when visiting a secure site.

7. Another perennial weak point is Adobe Flash Player. Like Java, Flash is in well-deserved decline, but Flash content is still much more widespread than Java content on the Web. If you choose to install the Flash plugin, you can reduce your exposure to Flash by checking the box marked

Stop plug-ins to save power

in Advanced tab of the Safari preferences window, if it's not already checked. Consider also installing a Safari extension such as "ClickToFlash" or "ClickToPlugin." They will prevent Flash content from loading automatically, and will also cause non-Flash video to be substituted for Flash on YouTube and maybe some other sites. I've tested those extensions and found them safe, but you should always do your own research before deciding whether to trust any third-party software.

8. Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.

Never install any AV or "Internet security" products for the Mac if you have a choice, as they are all worse than useless. If you are required by a (mistaken) institutional policy to install some kind of AV, pick one of the free apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.

Why shouldn't you use AV products?

☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.

☞ The design is usually predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.

☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknessesthat could be exploited by malware attackers.

☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous. That fact pertains to all AV software there will ever be, no matter what else changes.

9. A free AV product from the Mac App Store is harmless as long you don't let it delete or move any files. Ignore any warnings it may give you about "heuristics" or "phishing." Those warnings, if they're not merely false positives, refer to the text of email messages or cached web pages, not to malware.

An AV app is not needed, and can't be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.

Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:

London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe

You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, a free AV product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must have some kind of AV application. An App Store product won't modify the operating system; in fact, it won't do anything unless you run it.

If you're just curious as to whether a file is recognized as malware by AV engines, you can upload it to the "VirusTotal" website, where it will be tested against most of them at no charge. A negative result is no proof of anything, for the reasons stated above. I don't recommend doing this with a file that might contain private information.

10. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

11. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It can be as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by AV software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Nov 28, 2015 3:57 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thank you Linc Davis, again you help me with your thorough answer.


update:

My Macbook pro is now running stable and hopefully will last after I switch off Automatic Graphic Switching and finally I installed gfxCardStatus just to make switching easier and keep using discreet only option since all the setting went back to default Automatic Graphics Switching after reboot. I'm not sure which part is at fault the internal, the discreet or the switching mechanism but since everything went smooth my guess is the switching mechanism, I have to use discreet graphic since I'm using external monitor in my work, I'm doing graphic design and photo/video editing, but I switch to internal when I'm not doing work.


Thank you


B

Macbook Pro keep crashing

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