23david23

Q: TextEdit using the Internet?

Does TextEdit use the Internet for any reason when I create a new document or edit an old one?  The reason I ask is because I had begun to suspect that coworkers were somehow reading my TextEdit projects so I started typing short paragraphs that would be sure to get the attention of certain random people with whom I work.  Sure enough, my little essays were getting back to them and I was receiving hostile feedback in regard to specific things I typed about.  This is stuff I did on my home Mac which is not in any way used for work.  I have the firewall turned on and have even taken the machine in to have it checked for key loggers or other malware.  It all came back negative.  File Sharing is turned off.  Anyone have any ideas what might be going on?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, Memory: 8 GB 1333 MH

Posted on Jan 8, 2016 12:26 PM

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Q: TextEdit using the Internet?

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  • Helpful answers

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  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones Jan 25, 2016 4:31 AM in response to 23david23
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    Jan 25, 2016 4:31 AM in response to 23david23

    23david23 wrote:

     

    Thank you again for your assistance.  I ran EtreCheck as you suggested.  I ran the suggested Malwarebytes ANTI-MALWARE for Mac, too, but it only removed a couple of adware apps which I know are not the problem.  Otherwise, this is the result:

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.7.2 (232)

    Report generated 2016-01-16 10:43:03

    Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 2:33

    Performance: Excellent

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

    Click the [Scan for adware] links for help removing adware.

     

    Problem: Other problem

    Description:

    Co-workers of mine seem to have access to everything I do and look at on my iMac.

     

    Hardware Information: ⓘ

        iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac12,2

        1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

        8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 0/DIMM1

                Empty 

            BANK 1/DIMM1

                Empty 

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information: ⓘ

        AMD Radeon HD 6770M - VRAM: 512 MB

            iMac 2560 x 1440

     

    System Software: ⓘ

        OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (15C50) - Time since boot: about 3 days

     

    Disk Information: ⓘ

        ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (830.59 GB free)

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

     

        HL-DT-STDVDRW  GA32N   ()

     

    USB Information: ⓘ

        Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

        Mitsumi Electric Apple Optical USB Mouse

        Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Logitech Logitech USB Headset

        LaCie P'9221 Mobile Drive 500.11 GB

            EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Time Machine (disk1s2) /Volumes/Time Machine : 499.76 GB (91.26 GB free)

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Apple Card Reader

     

    Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

        Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

     

    Gatekeeper: ⓘ

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Adware: ⓘ

        Adware infection possible. [Scan for adware]

     

    Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

            /Library/Application Support/MacKeeper/AntiVirus.app

        [not loaded]    com.zeobit.kext.AVKauth (2.3.2 - SDK 10.7) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.zeobit.kext.Firewall (2.3.2 - SDK 10.7) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.1) [Support]

     

    Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist ✓ [Support]

        [running]    com.machangout.glims.agent.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.opendns.osx.DNSCryptMenuBar.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist ✓ [Support]

        [running]    net.culater.SIMBL.Agent.plist ✓ [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist ✓ [Support]

        [running]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.DeltaVPNInstaller.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.DeltaVPNOpenVPNHelper.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.GreenlightInterrogator.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.L2TPConfigurator.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.OpenVPN.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist ✓ [Support]

        [running]    com.machangout.glims.loader.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.opendns.osx.DNSCryptConfigUpdater.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.Helper.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist ✓ [Support]

        [running]    com.zeobit.MacKeeper.AntiVirus.plist [Support]

        [failed]    net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.startup.vpnbook--us1--udp53.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.tunnelblickd.plist [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist ✓ [Support]

        [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist [Support] [Details]

        [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.notify.plist [Support] [Details]

        [running]    com.zeobit.MacKeeper.Helper.plist [Support]

        [failed]    net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.LaunchAtLogin.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist ✓ [Support]

     

    User Login Items: ⓘ

        smcFanControl    Application  (~/Downloads/smcfancontrol_2_4/smcFanControl.app)

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        PandoCalendar    Application  (/Applications/PandoCalendar.app)

        Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX    Application Hidden (/Applications/Canon Utilities/IJ Network Scanner Selector EX/Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.app)

        Typinator    Application  (/Applications/Typinator.app)

        Mail    Application  (/Applications/Mail.app)

        Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)

        Skype    Application Hidden (/Applications/Skype.app)

        iLauncherHelper    UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)

        OpenDNS Updater    Application Hidden (/Applications/OpenDNS Updater.app)

        Stickies    Application  (/Applications/Stickies.app)

        Dave.pastor    Pastor Document  (~/Documents/Pastor 1.8.2/Dave.pastor)

     

    Other Apps: ⓘ

        [running]    com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x1000000b.EtreCheck

        [running]    com.eidac.smcFanControl2.13792

        [running]    com.google.GoogleDrive.8992

        [running]    com.macility.typinator2.68192

        [running]    com.opendns.OpenDNS_Updater.84512

        [running]    com.opendns.osx.DNSCryptProxy

        [running]    com.pandasystems.pandocalendar.84832

        [running]    com.skype.skype.146272

        [loaded]    com.vimov.weatherhd.mac.menulauncher

        [running]    jp.co.canon.cijscannerregister.16992

        [running]    jp.co.canon.ij.CNSSelectorAgent.93792

        [running]    net.mehlau.pastor.63392

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16   - SDK 10.8 [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

        Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        EPPEX Plugin: Version: 3.0.5.0 [Support]

        Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

        Silverlight: Version: 5.1.40416.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

     

    User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.0 [Support]

     

    Safari Extensions: ⓘ

        AdBlock

        TinEye

        Cookie Stumbler

        InvisibleHand

        StartPage HTTPS

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

        DNSCrypt  [Support]

        Flash Player  [Support]

        Flip4Mac WMV  [Support]

     

    Time Machine: ⓘ

        Skip System Files: NO

        Mobile backups: OFF

        Auto backup: YES

        Volumes being backed up:

            Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 168.76 GB

        Destinations:

            Time Machine [Local]

            Total size: 499.76 GB

            Total number of backups: 165

            Oldest backup: 7/29/13, 6:10 AM

            Last backup: 1/16/16, 9:47 AM

            Size of backup disk: Too small

                Backup size 499.76 GB < (Disk used 168.76 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

             2%    fontd

             2%    WindowServer

             1%    kernel_task

             0%    Dock

             0%    Google Drive

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

        739 MB    kernel_task

        467 MB    softwareupdated

        287 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(3)

        262 MB    mds_stores

        229 MB    Skype

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

        2.22 GB    Free RAM

        5.78 GB    Used RAM (2.78 GB Cached)

        0 B    Swap Used

     

    Your second bigger problem, after what you started this thread about, is the fact you put MacKeeper on your computer.  MacKeeper is currently involved in a class-action lawsuit for fraudulent business practices, so it would behoove you to utterly and completely remove that product from your computer as soon as you possibly can.  You don't need it, you've never needed it.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jan 25, 2016 6:36 AM in response to pinkstones
    Level 9 (66,889 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jan 25, 2016 6:36 AM in response to pinkstones

    I've heard people have trouble with it being overzealous.

  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones Jan 25, 2016 6:43 AM in response to a brody
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    Jan 25, 2016 6:43 AM in response to a brody

    a brody wrote:

     

    I've heard people have trouble with it being overzealous.

     

    I've never heard anything like that, not to mention, I've used it myself.  It didn't delete anything other than what it was supposed to delete, it added nothing to my hard drive, and I've experienced no further trouble since, so it's not actively funneling malware/adware on my system.

  • by 23david23,

    23david23 23david23 Jan 25, 2016 8:36 AM in response to pinkstones
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2016 8:36 AM in response to pinkstones

    Hi, Here is an updated EtreCheck scan.  Note that MacKeeper is gone.  In regard to TeamViewer, this problem started long before I ever even heard of TeamViewer.  To anyone else who is reading this thread, this computer is my own personal, at-home computer.  I do not even use a computer at work, yet co-workers of mine apparently have access to it.  Also, this problem effected my land line telephone, CORDED (not wireless), which I have since terminated because it simply was not private.  My Internet connection uses DSL which comes into my home over that same phone line.  I seriously believe that the problem is with the external phone line which my DSL Internet connection uses.  Interestingly, when I had Satellite Internet service for one year (2006-2007), the privacy problem stopped.  The problem with satellite, however, is that it was very expensive and began to get extremely unreliable.  I finally got frustrated with it and went back to DSL.  Immediately the privacy problems cropped up again and have remained ever since.  It's got to be a problem with the phone/DSL line somewhere between my home and the phone company switching office in town, about 15 miles away.

     

    Concerning the app, MALWAREBYTES, it was suggested by EtreCheck to use it to remove things like MacKeeper.  I uninstalled TUNNELBLICK using the Tunnelblick uninstaller but at least a part of it still shows up here.  I will try running the uninstaller again.  I have used the app, L'IL SNITCH but was not savvy enough to know what to look for.

     

    Thanks for your (and everyone's) help.  I think this problem is bigger than just something malicious installed on my computer.  Otherwise, why would my (former) corded telephone be involved as well? 

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.7.7 (237)

    Report generated 2016-01-25 09:13:15

    Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 2:28

    Performance: Excellent

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

     

    Problem: Other problem

    Description:

    Security issues.

     

    Hardware Information: ⓘ

        iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac12,2

        1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

        8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 0/DIMM1

                Empty 

            BANK 1/DIMM1

                Empty 

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information: ⓘ

        AMD Radeon HD 6770M - VRAM: 512 MB

            iMac 2560 x 1440

     

    System Software: ⓘ

        OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 (15C50) - Time since boot: about one day

     

    Disk Information: ⓘ

        ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (826.64 GB free)

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

     

        HL-DT-STDVDRW  GA32N   ()

     

    USB Information: ⓘ

        Logitech Logitech USB Headset

        LaCie P'9221 Mobile Drive 500.11 GB

            EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Time Machine (disk1s2) /Volumes/Time Machine : 499.76 GB (83.74 GB free)

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Apple Card Reader

        Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

        Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

     

    Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

        Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

     

    Gatekeeper: ⓘ

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.5.1) [Support]

     

    Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.machangout.glims.agent.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.opendns.osx.DNSCryptMenuBar.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist [Support]

        [running]    net.culater.SIMBL.Agent.plist [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.DeltaVPNInstaller.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.DeltaVPNOpenVPNHelper.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.GreenlightInterrogator.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.L2TPConfigurator.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.anonymizer.deltavpn.OpenVPN.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.machangout.glims.loader.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.malwarebytes.MBAMHelperTool.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.opendns.osx.DNSCryptConfigUpdater.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.Helper.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

        [loaded]    uk.co.markallan.clamxav.freshclam.plist [Support]

     

    User Login Items: ⓘ

        smcFanControl    Application  (~/Downloads/smcfancontrol_2_4/smcFanControl.app)

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        PandoCalendar    Application  (/Applications/PandoCalendar.app)

        Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX    Application Hidden (/Applications/Canon Utilities/IJ Network Scanner Selector EX/Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.app)

        Typinator    Application  (/Applications/Typinator.app)

        Mail    Application  (/Applications/Mail.app)

        Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)

        Skype    Application Hidden (/Applications/Skype.app)

        iLauncherHelper    UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)

        OpenDNS Updater    Application Hidden (/Applications/OpenDNS Updater.app)

        Stickies    Application  (/Applications/Stickies.app)

        Dave.pastor    Pastor Document  (~/Documents/Pastor 1.8.2/Dave.pastor)

     

    Other Apps: ⓘ

        [running]    com.apple.xpc.launchd.oneshot.0x1000000b.EtreCheck

        [running]    com.eidac.smcFanControl2.13792

        [running]    com.google.GoogleDrive.8992

        [running]    com.macility.typinator2.68192

        [running]    com.opendns.OpenDNS_Updater.84512

        [running]    com.opendns.osx.DNSCryptProxy

        [running]    com.pandasystems.pandocalendar.84832

        [running]    com.skype.skype.146272

        [loaded]    com.vimov.weatherhd.mac.menulauncher

        [running]    jp.co.canon.ij.CNSSelectorAgent.93792

        [running]    net.mehlau.pastor.63392

        [failed]    net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.LaunchAtLogin

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16   - SDK 10.8 [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

        Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.286 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        EPPEX Plugin: Version: 3.0.5.0 [Support]

        Default Browser: Version: 601 - SDK 10.11

        Silverlight: Version: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

     

    User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.0 [Support]

     

    Safari Extensions: ⓘ

        AdBlock

        TinEye

        Cookie Stumbler

        InvisibleHand

        StartPage HTTPS

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

        DNSCrypt  [Support]

        Flash Player  [Support]

        Flip4Mac WMV  [Support]

     

    Time Machine: ⓘ

        Skip System Files: NO

        Mobile backups: OFF

        Auto backup: YES

        Volumes being backed up:

            Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 172.70 GB

        Destinations:

            Time Machine [Local]

            Total size: 499.76 GB

            Total number of backups: 167

            Oldest backup: 7/29/13, 6:10 AM

            Last backup: 1/25/16, 8:39 AM

            Size of backup disk: Too small

                Backup size 499.76 GB < (Disk used 172.70 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

            50%    mds

            13%    mdworker(6)

             2%    WindowServer

             1%    fontd

             1%    kernel_task

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

        753 MB    kernel_task

        451 MB    softwareupdated

        393 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(2)

        197 MB    mds_stores

        197 MB    Skype

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

        2.30 GB    Free RAM

        5.70 GB    Used RAM (2.39 GB Cached)

        0 B    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

        Jan 24, 2016, 02:10:29 AM    Self test - passed

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jan 25, 2016 10:19 AM in response to 23david23
    Level 7 (30,944 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 25, 2016 10:19 AM in response to 23david23

    I see that you have installed Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac, and I'd point out that it has a large set of detections for keyloggers. If it didn't detect one, the cause is probably not a keylogger.

     

    I saw that some people mentioned changing your iCloud password, but I'm not sure that you did that. Your only comment regarding a password sounds like it was a change to your wifi network's password, which probably won't help in this situation.

     

    My guess is that your TextEdit app is saving these things to your iCloud account, and that someone at work has access to your iCloud account and is thus seeing what you type that way. You need to change your iCloud password immediately, if you haven't already, and should also enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID/iCloud account.

     

    Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

  • by cdhw,

    cdhw cdhw Jan 25, 2016 10:24 AM in response to 23david23
    Level 4 (2,668 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Jan 25, 2016 10:24 AM in response to 23david23

    Uninstall "Team Viewer".

     

    C.

  • by 23david23,

    23david23 23david23 Jan 25, 2016 10:36 AM in response to cdhw
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2016 10:36 AM in response to cdhw

    Thank you, C... I just did as you suggested and uninstalled TeamViewer... although, as noted in an earlier post, this problem started long before I ever downloaded TeamViewer.... March of 2003 to be exact, and it was probably going on since about 1999 without my noticing it.  1999 is when, as a brand new computer owner/user, I stupidly inserted a floppy disk into my old 6GB Mac that had been given to me by one of these co-workers who now/still have access to everything I do on my new, mid-2011 iMac.  Also as noted above, the only thing that seemed to lose these losers was when I had satellite Internet for one year but it was too expensive and unreliable for me, at which point I went back to DSL.  That's when the privacy issues started up again.

  • by 23david23,

    23david23 23david23 Jan 25, 2016 10:42 AM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2016 10:42 AM in response to thomas_r.

    As  noted in earlier posts, this problem started in 2003 or earlier.  The one thing that temporarily solved the problem was when I went with a satellite Internet provider during 2006-2007.  It was too expensive and unreliable so I went back with DSL at which point the privacy issues started up again.  I will look into two-factor authentication.  Thank you.

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jan 25, 2016 12:10 PM in response to 23david23
    Level 7 (30,944 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 25, 2016 12:10 PM in response to 23david23

    Ahh. Well, there's really nothing they could have done back in 2003 that would carry over to today. Anything you might have been infected with back then would not function on a modern Mac, and unless they have had physical access to your home Mac, it's very unlikely that they've managed to infect it again.

     

    What are you doing with these TextEdit docs? Are you ultimately e-mailing them to different people? If so, it could be your e-mail account that is compromised. Or, if this is from a company e-mail, potentially, one of those guys may have a way to read company e-mail messages without actually compromising your account.

  • by 23david23,

    23david23 23david23 Jan 25, 2016 12:49 PM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2016 12:49 PM in response to thomas_r.

    thomas... I learned early on that if I type something "sensational" about someone who I work with in a TextEdit document that it nearly always gets back to me.  These TE documents go straight into a folder where I keep them for future reference.  No emailing or posting on the Internet, just otherwise private text documents on my home computer.  I know it sounds incredible but I could give you specific examples of what I have typed and the unmistakeable "responses" I have received.  It would have to be in private (as far as Apple forums is concerned) because the language gets pretty raw.  Is private messaging even possible here?

     

    As I posted earlier in this thread, I think I have narrowed it down to someone having access to my physical phone/DSL line somewhere between my house and the phone company/ISP.  You wouldn't think that they would have access to my TE documents if that is how they are doing it... that is why I asked in my initial question if TextEdit uses the Internet at all.  I have spoken with other local people who have said that they won't use the phone lines in this town to order adult content (for example) via Dish Network or DirecTV because the ordering info goes over the phone lines and they don't trust those lines to be private.  There is also a tight-knit group of "good ol' boys" in this backwards western town which sits out in the middle of nowhere.

     

    To address your suggestion, no one but me has ever had physical access to my computer.  I've never seen evidence of someone having broken into my home.  Finally, yes, "they" are probably reading everything I type here - except for the fact that it is a supposedly secure connection - but what else can I do?  I'm looking for any suggestions from experts that may solve this problem.  From what I have read, what seems to be happening here is highly illegal, yet they seem pretty confident about what they are doing.  I am 100% totally at a loss as to what to do next short of getting off the Internet or getting another expensive and unreliable satellite connection... but then there goes my Skype which is my only phone service when I am at home.

     

    Thanks for your input but I think I'm pretty much screwed.

  • by cdhw,

    cdhw cdhw Jan 25, 2016 1:36 PM in response to 23david23
    Level 4 (2,668 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Jan 25, 2016 1:36 PM in response to 23david23

    If you connect to your work network via VPN (you have several VPN extensions loaded and running so you probably are) it's possible that you are putting documents in a folder on your computer that has sharing/access settings that are allowing others to see them. Using a work VPN is effectively taking your 'home computer' in to work and plugging it into their network so any shared folders, etc. will be available for all to see. Enterprise VPN clients can (not sure about the one you are using) provide 'malware protection', which some would consider a first cousin to spyware. In any event, sysadmins for your employer's network would be able to monitor your use of the internet while you are connect to their VPN. (If they could be bothered, which most of them wouldn't be.)

     

    Are you sure that the explanation is not just that you are 'easily read' and your colleagues are picking up on that and using it to wind you up? If this has gone on since 2003 then they've had 13 years to learn how to push your buttons!

     

    C.

  • by 23david23,

    23david23 23david23 Jan 25, 2016 1:48 PM in response to cdhw
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2016 1:48 PM in response to cdhw

    Thank you for your reply, C.... I have mentioned in earlier posts that this is not a work computer.  I don't even use a computer at work.  I have also checked and rechecked sharing prefs and everything is turned off except wireless printer sharing for my own use between my desktop and iPad.

     

    Your "being easily read" suggestion is the first thing that comes to many people's minds upon hearing this situation but, honestly... I if could just share some of the things that have happened, there would be no doubt, that is if you could even believe it.  Unfortunately, I would have to share all the raw details and the Apple forums is no place for that.

     

    Like I said, finally, to thomas_r, above, I think I'm screwed.

     

    Many thanks for your input.

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jan 25, 2016 1:58 PM in response to 23david23
    Level 7 (30,944 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 25, 2016 1:58 PM in response to 23david23

    Infecting your computer with some kind of spyware would require these guys to be VERY tech savvy, willing to break the law just to mess with you, and would probably require physical access to your Mac, unless they could put together a trojan "dropper" package and convince you to open it. In order to continue this since 2003 would require multiple repeat performances.

     

    If you're not transmitting these files anywhere or saving them to iCloud, your network is irrelevant. Nobody can read files from your hard drive as a result of hacking your network.

     

    So, either they have repeatedly broken the law, making this a matter for the police, if proof can be found (which will probably require a professional computer forensics specialist), or they are using the same tricks that fortune-tellers use to fool their marks as a way to convince you that they've seen your documents.

  • by 23david23,

    23david23 23david23 Jan 25, 2016 2:10 PM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2016 2:10 PM in response to thomas_r.

    thomas_r.... I am glad I am on the same track as you because I have come up with the same exact conclusions.  Knowing the way things operate in this town I suspect the former of the two theories you've postulated here.  These a-holes do feel they're above the law and have many friends in relatively high places.  I can see them getting away with it.  (I say "relatively" high places because the mayor himself would not be much more than a corrupt beat-cop in a bigger city.)

     

    Like I said... I'm screwed.  No reply needed but I appreciate the help in identifying the sheer unlikelihood of what's been going on.... and yet it is happening.  Thanks again.

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