Munix hacked? Valid files for install of Leopard?

[VirtualTracy]

Also, even though during the install process you only set yourself up as a user on the system, there are already a handful of other users on your system... "root," "wheel," "www," and "nobody" are just a few.

When I told my family, "Nobody touch my iMac when I'm out!" I was being literal!

[NewMacUser-TX]

Well, I am back. I can't get my MAC boot to the install disc at all and I keep having problem with my settings staying, well, set. Today I have hundreds of "WARNING!" messages in the System Log, but I will probably be told, 'that's normal, don't sweat it and don't look at the logs and then you won't worry'. I guess the old "outta site outta mind" phrase comes into play when it comes to Macs? Screen capture of my Log is attached. Sorry if I sound like a smart ass, but nobody will address the questions as presented. If you look back I knew something was wrong because I did a 7 pass erase and reinstall yet even though I didn't install X-11 or the language packages, they were all installed. The question of "how could that happen" is ignored and I'm not sure why. I am VERY frustrated and starting to feel like the hacking issues I had with my window's machines are just going to continue even though I switched to a Mac and so I might as well get used to it

[nixgeek]

Originally Posted by NewMacUser-TX

Well, I am back. I can't get my MAC boot to the install disc at all and I keep having problem with my settings staying, well, set. Today I have hundreds of "WARNING!" messages in the System Log, but I will probably be told, 'that's normal, don't sweat it and don't look at the logs and then you won't worry'. I guess the old "outta site outta mind" phrase comes into play when it comes to Macs? Screen capture of my Log is attached. Sorry if I sound like a smart ass, but nobody will address the questions as presented. If you look back I knew something was wrong because I did a 7 pass erase and reinstall yet even though I didn't install X-11 or the language packages, they were all installed. The question of "how could that happen" is ignored and I'm not sure why. I am VERY frustrated and starting to feel like the hacking issues I had with my window's machines are just going to continue even though I switched to a Mac and so I might as well get used to it

First of all, read the entire thread....don't just skim it. We tried as best we can to cover all that was possible. Anything that looked normal was confirmed as such by everyone that's responded. There's a difference between actually having problems and jumping at every little message that ways "Warning" on it just because you're not familiar with how Unix works. If you think it's any different in Windows, have a gander at the Event Viewer logs and see what you'll find there. That might just make your hair stand up just as it is with what you're finding in OS X's logs.

Now, on the the log you attached. As it stands, we're only seeing part of the log where it repeats the same message. We don't see where it starts happening to be able to assess how this came to pass. All that is shown is that you have a System Preferences warning. Could you possibly post some of the information prior to that message first showing up?

As for X11 being installed, did you see an icon for X11.app in your Applications folder? If not, then it's not installed. Plain and simple. To my knowledge, X11 was never installed by default until Leopard (see this link). The language packs are also installed by default to my knowledge. To prevent this from happening, you have to select to "Customize" before selecting to begin the installation of the files and then uncheck that which you do NOT want installed (I'm sure this was mentioned in previous posts as I remember reading this when going through this unnecessarily long thread). This link shows you how to do a custom installation (yes, it's about Tiger but it applied just as well to Leopard). BTW, this was EASILY found on Google just by using a few key words relating to your problem.

I hate to say it, but sometimes one must read the manual if one does not have familiarity with a particular OS. Many in this thread have even mentioned some great books that will help in the matter. As was mentioned, logs are there to inform you of what's going on. Not everything that says "Warning" means you're getting hacked. It might apply to the fact that something might not be activated/supported/whatever and it just telling you this. Or, it might be an application that is trying to do something that the operating system does not like (possibly due to a bug in the application). Whatever the case, you can't assume that every message means someone is trying to "pwn" you. You have to check the logs in context in order to properly deduce what the problem might be, whether it's just an informative message or a genuine intrusion to your system.

[Viro]

Originally Posted by NewMacUser-TX

Well, I am back. I can't get my MAC boot to the install disc at all and I keep having problem with my settings staying, well, set. Today I have hundreds of "WARNING!" messages in the System Log, but I will probably be told, 'that's normal, don't sweat it and don't look at the logs and then you won't worry'.

Sorry to say this but that log file is a list of assertion failures (and they can be normal!). What were you running that generated those assertion failure messages?

Before you start panicking, assertion are normal if you're running a debug build or a program that for one reason or another, decided to keep those asserts in at release. We do that at my company, so that developers will get to see exactly where a problem occured. Notice, this is completely and thoroughly useless for an end user as you will have no idea what is contained at NSView.m at line 4755 and you're not expected to. It's there for developers of the app to determine what's going on in their program.

If you want something similar on Windows, download DebugViewer or view the Event Log.

There could be a lot of reasons why you're seeing those messages. What were you doing prior to seeing those messages? And what error are you getting when you cannot boot up?

[Viro]

And just to show you what me and nixgeek mean, here's a screenshot of my Windows log. No, my system is functioning correctly and it's not hacked nor is it going to blow up at any point in time.

You're viewing a log file that is used by system administrators and developers for tracing down problems. There's a reason why those messages are hidden away from users but are readily available to those who need such info.

[CuteCari]

i ran across this site while i was looking for answers and noticed the problems you are having. i have been killing windows viruses for 9 years. i switched to mac after i ran into the cd replicating virus. i couldnt figure out how it was doing it and where it could possibly be storing itself (trust me, i have a firm understanding and knowledge of removing the most insane viruses (and there of course was no one who could even conceive that this was possible). this virus was the only one i couldnt figure out and because of this, it rendered the infected computer useless.

i switched to mac because i was obsessed with figuring out this virus and it turned me into a mad scientist which prevented me from living a "normal" life.

so now i am infected with the same virus/hack issues that are being discussed here on my mac. anyone who says something is "impossible" or you are "just paranoid" is someone with a mind that cant comprehend passed what they can see and if you are familiar with viruses, you know that it is what you cant see, explain or even comprehend that is the issue. i told myself a long time ago that if your computer is making you feel crazy in any way that it is most likely the computer and not you although the line between reality and perceived reality can become blurred and create paranoia. i, from all of my years working with computers, can tell the difference between what is real and what isnt, but finding someone else that can is almost impossible which is why i feel the need to post.

if you are one of the 95% of the population which cannot comprehend the incomprehensible, there is a book called "Big Book of Apple Hacks" that will surely open your eyes and take you to the next level of understanding.

1. the cd replication is true, as i stated i have seen this in windows an uncountable amount of times. it is happening to my g4 which is not connected in any way to any network; no matter what i do, i cant get rid of it. i recently found that there is memory in the optical drive can be programed and store information although i dont know how, and in the mac hack book also tells you about memory in other places you would not even think of. this opened my eyes to an ability that i didnt know was possible. this made sense to me wether it is true, i dont know as FACT. if it is true then there must be other areas that can be programed the same way (we must keep an open mind or we will never find the answers). Please help me with this if you are aware that this is a possibility.

2. i am also experiencing the same virus/hack on my laptop, but the one on my laptop is network oriented, i did the same thing as that other guy with getting all of the new routers and all of that crap. mac store (idiots by the way) etc... even replaced my laptop and deleted my airport card through the software. but when i looked in to my computer (software) the airport card was still connected and functioning. i dont know the ins and outs of networks which is where the confusion lies for me. i have the isight issue, fake web pages, everything and feel like there is someone with me at all times. the mac hack book has taught me some and i have crammed my head full of book after giant book trying to figure all of this out. my computer has been taken over completely though im not sure that the virus i have on my laptop is the same one that is on my g4 or not, but if not, they are very similar. i suspect the remote function. i want to physically disable any entry to my laptop but dont want to void my apple care. if you know how to do this please help me with it as i will do it if i have to.

so as of now i am screwed and there is no help for this in the world of closed minds.

so i just wanted to let you guys know that you are not crazy in any way and we, as of now, are stuck in the purgatory between the 2nd plane, which is where we are now and the 3rd plane which is where we will be after figuring out this new craziness. every plane is more isolating and painful but to a "scientist" the progression is out of our control.

please help!!!!

[ElDiabloConCaca]

If the people here are so sure that their computers have been infected at the hardware level, then simply take the computers to the nearest Apple Store. They'll be very interested in seeing the first Mac computer to be infected at the hardware level in over 20 years.

Other than that, I'm about ready to say that the scope of the problems being discussed here is beyond our help. We don't have physical access to the computer, people are too paranoid to put their computers on a network for us to have remote access to them, and it seems that just when we're squashing or explaining one problem away, a completely new one manifests itself (or a completely new member joins the discussion to chime in with a "me too").

Take your computers to security experts who can have physical access to do diagnostics on the machine. We would be very interested in hearing about the results. Otherwise, we have no choice other than to be skeptical, since these problems are obviously WAY out of the realm of anything we've heard of before.

[nixgeek]

I listen to a few security podcasts (PaulDotCom Security Weekly is one) and they've NEVER mentioned anything other than the ARD issue (which has been all over the tech news sites). Beyond that, anything that is being described would have been discussed and exposed. We live in a global village now, and information is more readily available than ever before, so even 0day exploits are known about very quickly. Patching them takes longer, of course.

Like EDCC said, all that could be done over a forum has been done. At this point, it's a matter of contacting a security professional and having that security professional examine the system. Mind you, this will not be cheap....security professionals charge quite a bit for their expertise.

I still stick by my opinion that those in question are claiming that the sky is falling due to lack of knowledge, and are just trying to cover that up by sprinkling jargon in their posts. I'm sorry if that offends, but we've been going on a wild goose chase here.

BTW, I just did a search for the "Big Book of Apple Hacks". Here's what Amazon says about it:
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Apple.../dp/0596529821

Product Description
Bigger in size, longer in length, broader in scope, and even more useful than our original Mac OS X Hacks, the new Big Book of Apple Hacks offers a grab bag of tips, tricks and hacks to get the most out of Mac OS X Leopard, as well as the new line of iPods, iPhone, and Apple TV.

With 125 entirely new hacks presented in step-by-step fashion, this practical book is for serious Apple computer and gadget users who really want to take control of these systems. Many of the hacks take you under the hood and show you how to tweak system preferences, alter or add keyboard shortcuts, mount drives and devices, and generally do things with your operating system and gadgets that Apple doesn't expect you to do. The Big Book of Apple Hacks gives you:

• Hacks for both Mac OS X Leopard and Tiger, their related applications, and the hardware they run on or connect to
• Expanded tutorials and lots of background material, including informative sidebars
• "Quick Hacks" for tweaking system and gadget settings in minutes
• Full-blown hacks for adjusting Mac OS X applications such as Mail, Safari, iCal, Front Row, or the iLife suite
• Plenty of hacks and tips for the Mac mini, the MacBook laptops, and new Intel desktops
• Tricks for running Windows on the Mac, under emulation in Parallels or as a standalone OS with Bootcamp

The Big Book of Apple Hacks is not only perfect for Mac fans and power users, but also for recent -- and aspiring -- "switchers" new to the Apple experience. Hacks are arranged by topic for quick and easy lookup, and each one stands on its own so you can jump around and tweak whatever system or gadget strikes your fancy. Pick up this book and take control of Mac OS X and your favorite Apple gadget today!

All this book is about is how to maximize the use of the Mac hardware and apps that run on it, which leads me to call BS on the posters. To claim such knowledge and not realize that "hack" means "finding ways to do things with hardware/software that were not originally intended by the creator" and not "pwning yer 'puter" leads me to believe that we are officially wasting our time. If not, then as was mentioned take it to a security professional and make yourself famous.

Are we done now???