Mac issues. Virus?

Linz · Mac issues. Virus?

I'm not very tech-savvy, so I think I need some help here. I am very paranoid about downloading things that friends send to me on my MacBook Pro, because I don't want to risk getting a virus. However, today a friend sent me a photo so that I could put text on it for him and make it like a lolcat, and soon after I opened it my Photoshop CS4 began to act weirdly. I tried opening it, and it said that there was not enough memory, which I know isn't true. I began to get really worried because this was exactly what happened to my old PC just before it was completely ravaged by a virus. I was able to open Photoshop just fine with a second try, but after a while I tried to create a new layer on a drawing that I was working on, and it gave me an error message. Then, with another try, I successfully added a new layer, but now I'm worried about it.

Also, Skype won't open (It says it's open but the window will not show up) and I've been getting some odd little errors occasionally while browsing with Firefox.

Does anyone think they know what's happening? Confused

I'm freaking out because I'd really rather not have my school computer die...

Maz

Unfortunately i'm not Mac-savvy enough to be able to really answer your question, but i use a basic antivirus for my mac as a precautionary measure. Its a free download so it might not be the best or most thorough antivirus software for macs out there, but it's worth a go and a good starting point.

http://download.cnet.com/iAntiVir...39_4-10854561.html?tag=mncol;pick

its served me well so far.

Linz

I restarted my computer and so far things seem to be working alright. Skype has opened just fine and so far I've had no issues with anything else.

NightSky

I dunno but you just broke the #1 sacred rule of keeping your computer safe, downloading attachments!

All I can say is when I had my MBP a year ago, I got it thinking I wouldn't have to deal with all the virus/trojan/malware crap that you have to deal with on Windows. While there's significantly less out there for Macs, don't think you're invincible just because you own one. I got hacked (I didn't know it at the time) by using torrents and my camera was turned on without me knowing (who knows if my mic was turned on too). I didn't realize it until two weeks later. Needless to say I got rid of my Mac (because what's the point if I can get just as easily hacked on it?). I'm back on Windows and am pretty much avoiding doing anything semi-safe on it so that I don't have to worry about doing business/errands on it. Now I use a separate computer to do file sharing on and never use it for anything else.

nekotine

As someone that works at an Apple store (though not as a Genius), I'd be pretty surprised if you somehow got a virus from a photo, especially if it was your garden variety jpg, gif or what have you. Not to say that it's impossible either but I'd be highly surprised, especially if the friend whom you got the picture from is not having the same issues as well.

If you want, run some anti-virus stuff but as many people will tell you, Mac viruses are few and far between. If you really feel like something is wrong with the computer, 1) I hope you've been backing stuff up via Time Machine because 2) if there is something wrong with it and you decide to bring it in to have one of the Geniuses take a look at it, if it's something a virus scanner can't quarantine, they'll likely suggest you format the drive and start anew. And never accept files from that friend again. Smile

If you can't bring it into an Apple store immediately, remember you can call AppleCare for support, provided that your computer is under warranty, extended or not. 1-800-APL-CARE is the number.

Hope this helps a bit.