Is this a virus?

[Marlene4]

Greetings All,

A few nights ago, I was looking for music, and I think I wandered into a bad place.
Within minutes, my beach ball was turning wildly, then my curser hopped, skipped and jumped from application to application. I could not get it to stop.
I turned the computer off, then started it again. The total weirdness stopped however, now the ball begins spinning at apparently random times, and I have much difficulty getting any work done. In just the time it took for me to type this message, the ball came up at least 3 times. Each time I have to wait till the cursor appears.
Is there any hope
Thanks so much,
Marlene

 

[honestone]

Yeah, it seems your Mac "caught something". Here are two programs you can use that might help:

1. Malwarebytes - Available from here:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

2. ClamXAv - Available from here: https://www.clamxav.com/

It might be good if you run both of them. Run Malwarebytes first, and then ClasmXAv. You can use ClamXAv in "demo" mode for 30 days. When you run ClamXAv, you'll be presented with various "levels" that you can have it check. It might be good if you choose the "top level", which should be the name of your internal drive. It will take some time for it to scan all your files, but better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Marlene4]

Thank You So Much,
However, I've run into another situation, I don't recall my password to install new software(
I'll look around and see what I can see to find/change my password.
Oye!!

 

[honestone]

That password should be the same as your "admin" password, and if you are the only individual who uses your Mac, there is only one of those.

If you still cannot remember it, this link will help you:

https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/forgotten-mac-password-3594395/

Just use the instructions contained there for using Recovery Mode.

 

[Marlene4]

Thank you for all of your assistance. I'm running the malware application now.
I received a notice stating that I'm opening "Frontend Application" for the first time.
Can anyone tell me if this is the normal response when running this malware app?

Thanks Again!
Cheers!
Marlene

 

[honestone]

Glad you were able to start Malwarebytes. As far as that message, I've never seen it. Here are the results of a google search of "Frontend Application":

https://www.google.com/search?q=Fro...rome..69i57.1246j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

It's definition is:

"User interface or that part of a software or a website that a user sees on the screen, and acts on to enter commands or to access other parts of the software or website. See also back end application

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/front-end-application.html"

Sorry that I don't know anything about it.

Did Malwarebytes find anything? What about ClamXAv?

 

[Marlene4]

Glad you were able to start Malwarebytes. As far as that message, I've never seen it. Here are the results of a google search of "Frontend Application":

https://www.google.com/search?q=Fro...rome..69i57.1246j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

It's definition is:

"User interface or that part of a software or a website that a user sees on the screen, and acts on to enter commands or to access other parts of the software or website. See also back end application

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/front-end-application.html"

Sorry that I don't know anything about it.

Did Malwarebytes find anything? What about ClamXAv?

Greetings All,
Malwarebytes found nada! I'm trying to run clamXav now. So far, the symbols are doing a funny dance, but it won't open. I'll keep working on it
Thanks again for all of your help. Truly, I appreciate it
Cheers!
Marlene

 

[honestone]

ClamXAv is more thorough than Malwarebyes, so hopefully it will find the culprit/culprits. But not sure what you mean by "So far, the symbols are doing a funny dance, but it won't open.". I don't remember it ever doing that. Maybe you can explain that better.

Also, some more information might help:

1. What exact Mac model do you have?

2. What exact Mac OS are you running?

3. Have you ever done an disk cleanup/maintenance/repairs, from a software perspective? By that I mean have you ever run any disk-related software to help with those tasks? There are some excellent products available (both free and commercial) that can help you with that.

4. This is critical: are you making backups to an external device? If you are, what software are you using for that?

5. What third party (ie, non-Apple) software are you using? Along with that, it is important to insure that such software is compatible with whatever OS you plan on upgrading to. This site can help you with that:

https://roaringapps.com/apps

6. As "part" of #3 above, do you have either CleanMyMac or MacKeeper? If you do, they are bad, and you need to get rid of them immediately. There are some excellent, free products available that do the same tasks (some do more), and they are safe, reliable, and trouble-free.

 

[Marlene4]

Once Again,
Thank you for all of your help and tips. I was able to run ClamXav, a few moments ago.
It also, found nothing.
Nope, I don't have the "CleanMyMac" or "Mackeeper" files. A notice appeared on my computer once to install it, but I checked here first, and discovered that it was not a good idea.
As for backing up my files, I'm afraid I've been completely derelict.
The computer is still running slowly. I will investigate methods of back up this week and end my dereliction of duty I'm using a mac 10.11.16 and the only non mac (I think) software I'm running is microsoft excel, word, and etc. Someone suggested that I look up something called "Framm" Has anyone ever heard of that? A
I'm trying to complete a job application (UGH) so I'm going to finish it before I start on another venture.
Cheers!
and Thank You!
Marlene

 

[honestone]

Too bad ClamXAv did not find anything (or, maybe a good thing). As for "non-mac" software, you cannot run any Windows software directly from the Mac OS. You would need an "emulation" program like Parallels to do that.

There are/were Mac versions of the programs you mentioned: Office 2008, Office 2011, and the most recent one, Office 2016. I suspect those MIcrosoft programs you have are from one of those suites.

You really, really need to do backups. That is so, so critical!