Spyware or hidden software

Question

Hi, I might be paranoid, but I think my ex-husband may have place spyware on my laptop or ipad. * My ex-husband has broken into my house and I found him accessing my computer.* Other tell tale signs is that my son was able to tell me about a conversation that I had in private with another person when he was not home, and use the same particular words. He said that Dad told him about this.How do I find out if there is any monitoring software on my devices? I downloaded etrecheck and run through my mac laptop, and the print out is as follows:EtreCheck version: 3.4.6 (460)Report generated 2017-12-05 16:16:35Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.comRuntime: 5:35Performance: Below AverageClick the [Lookup] links for more information from Apple Support Communities.Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.Click the [Clean up] link to delete unused files.Problem: BeachballingHardware Information: ⓘ    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)     [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty &amp; Service]    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,3    1 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Duo) CPU: 2-core    4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]        BANK 0/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok    Handoff/Airdrop2: not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n    Battery: Health &#x3D; Check Battery - Cycle count &#x3D; 791Video Information: ⓘ    NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB        Color LCD 1440 x 900    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 256 MBDisk Information: ⓘ    FUJITSU MJA2320BH FFS G1 disk0: (320.07 GB) (Rotational)    [Show SMART report]        (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [EFI]: 210 MB        Macintosh HD (disk0s2 - Journaled HFS+) /  [Startup]: 319.21 GB (31.17 GB free)        (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB    HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS23N  ()USB Information: ⓘ     EHCI Root Hub Simulation         Apple Inc. Built-in iSight      EHCI Root Hub Simulation         Apple Internal Memory Card Reader      OHCI Root Hub Simulation         Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad         Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver      OHCI Root Hub Simulation         Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub             Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller System Software: ⓘ    OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 (13F1911) - Time since boot: about 4 days Gatekeeper: ⓘ    Mac App Store and identified developersClean up: ⓘ    ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[redacted]@me.com-SharedSer vices.Agent.plist        /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/OSServices.framewo rk/Versions/A/Support/CSConfigDotMacCert -l ~/Library/Logs/CSConfigDotMacCert.log -u [redacted]@me.com -t SharedServices -s        Executable not found!    One orphan file found. [Clean up]Startup Items: ⓘ    HWNetMgr: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HWNetMgr    HWPortDetect: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HWPortDetect    Startup items no longer function in OS X Yosemite or laterSystem Launch Agents: ⓘ    [not loaded]    5 Apple tasks    [loaded]    148 Apple tasks    [running]    31 Apple tasksSystem Launch Daemons: ⓘ    [not loaded]    47 Apple tasks    [loaded]    131 Apple tasks    [running]    70 Apple tasksLaunch Agents: ⓘ    [running]    com.Affinegy.InstaLANa.plist (? e5c3a4f4 59bd2107 - installed 2010-03-03) [Lookup]    [loaded]    com.divx.dms.agent.plist (DivX, LLC - installed 2014-11-09) [Lookup]    [loaded]    com.divx.update.agent.plist (? 4a2d5ecc d606b87a - installed 2014-11-09) [Lookup]    [loaded]    com.epson.ews.launcher.plist (? d9ab2448 bda25795 - installed 2010-12-18) [Lookup]Launch Daemons: ⓘ    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (? 2afb3af7 defea098 - installed 2017-10-26) [Lookup]    [loaded]    com.apple.aelwriter.plist (Apple, Inc. - installed 2010-03-28)    [running]    com.fitbit.galileod.plist (Fitbit, Inc. - installed 2014-10-30) [Lookup]User Launch Agents: ⓘ    [failed]    com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[redacted]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist (? ? ? - installed 2010-03-10) - /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/OSServices.framewo rk/Versions/A/Support/CSConfigDotMacCert: Executable not found!    [loaded]    com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2017-08-14) [Lookup]User Login Items: ⓘ    Skype    Application         (/Applications/Skype.app)    EndNote X2    Application         (~/.Trash/EndNote X2/EndNote X2.app)    GrowlHelperApp    Application         (/Library/PreferencePanes/Growl.prefPane/Contents/Resources/GrowlHelperApp.app)    Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper    Application (Fitbit, Inc. - installed 2015-05-09)        (~/.Trash/Fitbit Connect.app/Contents/MacOS/Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper.app)    Dropbox    Application         (/Applications/Dropbox.app)    Garmin Express Service    Application (Garmin International - installed 2017-11-19)        (~/.Trash/Garmin Express.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Garmin Express Service.app)    ConnectService    Application         (/Library/Application Support/ArcSoft/Connect Service/ConnectService.app)Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ    Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 2.4.0.11 (installed 2012-01-09) [Lookup]    FlashPlayer-10.6: 27.0.0.187 (installed 2017-11-15) [Lookup]    QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2016-07-26)    DivX Web Player: 3.2.3.1164 (installed 2014-10-10) [Lookup]    Flash Player: 27.0.0.187 (installed 2017-11-15) [Lookup]    Default Browser: 537 (installed 2014-09-30)    JavaAppletPlugin: 14.8.0 (installed 2012-08-06) Check version    OVSHelper: 1.1 (installed 2014-11-09) [Lookup]    Unity Web Player: UnityPlayer version 5.3.1f1 (installed 2016-12-20) [Lookup]    Silverlight: 5.1.50901.0 (installed 2017-01-15) [Lookup]    iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (installed 2010-04-28)3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ    Flash Player (installed 2017-10-26) [Lookup]    Flip4Mac WMV (installed 2011-07-01) [Lookup]    Growl (installed 2012-05-06) [Lookup]    Perian (installed 2011-07-24) [Lookup]Time Machine: ⓘ    Time Machine not configured!Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ         4%       plugin-container         3%       firefox         2%       kernel_task         1%       WindowServer         1%       ConnectServiceTop Processes by Memory: ⓘ    458 MB        kernel_task    268 MB        firefox    258 MB        softwareupdated    230 MB        plugin-container    135 MB        DropboxTop Processes by Energy Use: ⓘ      6.98    plugin-container      6.98    firefox      2.88    WindowServer      1.90    ConnectServiceVirtual Memory Information: ⓘ    1.58 GB       Available RAM    182 MB        Free RAM    2.42 GB       Used RAM    1.40 GB       Cached files    0 B           Swap UsedSoftware installs (last 30 days): ⓘ    Adobe Flash Player:  (installed 2017-11-15)    GIHO_IR_Trial_V3:  (installed 2017-11-19)    Garmin Express:  (installed 2017-11-19)    Install information may not be complete.Diagnostics Events (last 3 days for minor events): ⓘ    2017-12-05 16:08:10    GrowlHelperApp.app Crash [Open]

BobHarris · Accepted Answer

Change passwords on everything, not just your Mac. Youe ex has shown a disregard for your privacy, so make sure to protect all online assets. A password manager, such as 1password or LastPass can be very useful in keeping track of your passwords. Disable system preferences-iCloud-back to my MacDisable system preferences - sharingRemote loginScreen sharingRemote managementEtc...The backup (twice), wipe clean, reinstall and the manually transfer important data is a good idea. if you have a lawyer, you should consult with them, as they will have seen this before.

Limnos · Answer

I don&#x27;t know much about spyware. I suspect the only way to be sure would be to wipe the computer completely, then reinstall all the software so you know what is going onto it, then restore the data files such as music, photos, etc.As for the slow computer, it is an older machine, a slower hard drive, the hard drive is nearly full, and it has okay but not really enough RAM memory (4 is so-so with Mavericks OSX).You may also be running unnecessary items which are straining the few resources of the computer, e.g.,ConnectServices ArcSoft icon on desktopIt also sounds to me like you need to set up a login password on your account, or change it so it does not automatically log into your account when you boot the computer.  Of course also delete any other accounts on the computer that former residents may have used. This would prevent computer access should there be future incursions.

rccharles · Answer

I&#x27;m not that familiar with spyware.  Limnos has the recommended advice.I&#x27;d change all your skype passwords. I&#x27;d shutdown your device when not in use.Add firmware and login passwords.  Do not forget these.  Pick some book. and pick a page.  Underline words that make up your password.  Use filevault.  Be warned, you increase the risk of loosing your data. You must have a good backup plan. To many people forget passwords.  Lock up laptop and ipad in a lock box.  One of those fire safes would be good. I rely on physical security. apple icon &gt; system preferences &gt; soundTurn off sound.  Better yet, get the cheapest external microphone you can find. Plug in and verify that the mic works. Cut microphone wire.  Verify that you are not getting sound input from your "dead" mic.  Would be cheaper to find some plug that fit the mic input port.Don&#x27;t know if the software could change to the internal mic.  I&#x27;d plug the microphone hole on your laptop.  I&#x27;d tape over the camera.  Can remove tape when you want to skype. Use external mic tool.Apple baked in top notch security into the iPad.  Never-the-less, delete all apps you do not recognize. Some dummy plug would work for the ipad too.Look around the house for electrical bugs.  Be sure to examine phones carefully.  Search internet for household bugging.Loose lips sink ships.  Other person told husband.