Could This Be a Virus?

KawaiiMira

KawaiiMira

Registered
My computer has been runining slow ever since I got this IM. The IM I got said .exe file transmitting (in the IM) and what looked like commands. My transfer screen never popped up and there was no file on my desktop.

Is it possible I got a file transfered into my computer that I cannot see (or worst, a virus). Any help would be appriciated!

I have a Apple iBook, OS X

Thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum KawaiiMira
Which instant messenger are you talking about? First of: I don't know of any virus for OSX. Then: .exe files can't do a thing to your mac. They are executables for x86 pcs (windows). Such files do not execute on macs. If your system is slowing down, you should repair the permissions. If your os is below 10.3 (panther), you should boot from your MacOSX installer CD/DVD holding the "C" key while booting. Then go to Disk Utility and mark your current drive and press "repair permissions".
Hope this will fix everything.
 
have you closed iChat at all since this problem started, it could be doing that thing where it uses 100% proc until its closed.
 
Quitting iChat is a great place to start, followed by a system restart. Yeah, UNIX machines are supposed to run 24x7 without a restart, but a restart can cure a whole slew of problems and shouldn't be something you're reluctant to try when you experience slowness.
 
well, if someone transferred you a .exe without your asking them to, then it probably was a virus, but it would be a windows virus...

If your comp's slowing down, you might be able to find out what's taking up the CPU time with the Activity Monitor app (in /Applications/Utilities)
 
Thank You all for the replies! :)

I am using iChat and I do quit if every night.

I am curious to know how to "repair the permissions". I am running on Panther OS right now.
 
Then, simply fire up Disk Utility, located in the Applications > Utilities folder, and click on your hard drive icon. Then, click the "Repair Permissions" button at the bottom of the window and sit back and relax. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, depending on how much stuff you have installed on your drive.

It's probably a good idea to make sure your computer doesn't go to sleep during this process, so either set the iBook not to sleep in the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences, or stay in front of it and jiggle the mouse/trackpad every so often to keep it awake. I find the Energy Saver solution the easiest and most effective.
 
Plus, it's a good practice to "Repair Permissions" in Disk Utility about every two weeks. Also, do it after major software installs (updates to OS X, big program installs). OS X is based on a type of Unix called BSD and Unix loves files permissions. It's just every software developer thinks they are best in the world so they try to re-write their program (you've installed) to be the #1 program in your Mac. So Disk Utility keeps a file of installed program (OS X) permissions the way OS X should have them. Repairing permissions on a regular basis can save you a lot of future headaches.
 
Hi KawaiiMira :)
Welcome on board! The guys have pretty much answered your questions, so I just wanted to say welcome ;)
 
brianleahy said:
KawaiiMira - are you from Hawaii, perchance? My wife and I are going in September...
Click to expand...

Thanks to all! :)

No, I am not from Hawaii, I am from California.

A brief explaination of my username:

'Kawaii' means 'cute' in Japanese, and 'Mira' means 'look' in Spanish (and it's also my nickname)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top