imac virus?

yvonnedono · yvonnedono #1 (**permalink**)

08-18-2007, 09:50 AM

My parents have an imac. They are running the most up to date OS.

I've been noticing that the computer is automatically downloading files onto their desktop. They look like solid gray icons with FAD written on them. They pile up - so at times there are ten or fifteen of them.

I deleted them all. Then I was on their computer doing something and noticed that when I was done - there was a new FAD download on their desktop again. I did not initiate this.

I looked at their download list and there were lots of these FADs - all of which were not initiated.

Does anyone know what this is?

In addition, they are starting to get the rainbow ball more and more - in other words - the compuer is slowing up. Now, using Safari, they can get the initial home web page - but when they click on a story to read it - the computer can't move beyond the rainbow ball.

Anyone know if there is a virus? Or - what can all this be?

Being mostly a windows user, I thought maybe there were too many temporary internet files - but couldn't find them...

Any suggestions would be helpful.

goobimama · goobimama #2 (**permalink**)

08-19-2007, 06:16 AM

Tried the repair disk permissions in Disk utility?

TWM · TWM #3 (**permalink**)

08-19-2007, 06:31 AM

It's not a virus.

christm · christm #4 (**permalink**)

08-19-2007, 06:54 AM

yh its extremly unlikely that its a virus.

yvonnedono · yvonnedono #5 (**permalink**)

08-20-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goobimama

Tried the repair disk permissions in Disk utility?

I have not yet tried the repair disk permissions.

Does anyone have idea why these automatic downloads would show up on my desktop? (Gray icons with FAD written on them) would it be related to the repair disk permissions?

thanx

yvonnedono · yvonnedono #6 (**permalink**)

01-08-2008, 02:48 PM

The FADs that were ending up on the desktop were error reports from Safari because Safari wasn't able to run properly. Had to switch over to Firefox.

Frattimonde · Frattimonde #7 (**permalink**)

01-08-2008, 04:16 PM

Well, paranoia is a natural thing.

christm #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 18, 2005 Location: Devon, England Posts: 2,295 Mac Specs: ibook g4, imac 2ghz c2d, mbp 2.4ghz c2d - 10.5.1	08-19-2007, 06:54 AM yh its extremly unlikely that its a virus. my website-templemurray.com professional event photography updated daily http://www.last.fm/user/christm3 mac tips n tricks - http://uk.youtube.com/christm3
	QUOTE Thanks

Frattimonde #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 08, 2007 Location: sweden Posts: 273 Mac Specs: aluminium PowerBook G4 first gen	01-08-2008, 04:16 PM Well, paranoia is a natural thing. Megatron wants your macintosh.
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yvonnedono #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 18, 2007 Posts: 3	08-18-2007, 09:50 AM My parents have an imac. They are running the most up to date OS. I've been noticing that the computer is automatically downloading files onto their desktop. They look like solid gray icons with FAD written on them. They pile up - so at times there are ten or fifteen of them. I deleted them all. Then I was on their computer doing something and noticed that when I was done - there was a new FAD download on their desktop again. I did not initiate this. I looked at their download list and there were lots of these FADs - all of which were not initiated. Does anyone know what this is? In addition, they are starting to get the rainbow ball more and more - in other words - the compuer is slowing up. Now, using Safari, they can get the initial home web page - but when they click on a story to read it - the computer can't move beyond the rainbow ball. Anyone know if there is a virus? Or - what can all this be? Being mostly a windows user, I thought maybe there were too many temporary internet files - but couldn't find them... Any suggestions would be helpful.
	QUOTE Thanks

goobimama #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 2,542 Mac Specs: iMac Core Duo 20", iBook G4, iPhone 8GB :)	08-19-2007, 06:16 AM Tried the repair disk permissions in Disk utility?
	QUOTE Thanks

yvonnedono #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 18, 2007 Posts: 3	01-08-2008, 02:48 PM The FADs that were ending up on the desktop were error reports from Safari because Safari wasn't able to run properly. Had to switch over to Firefox.
	QUOTE Thanks

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