Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

[Spork Schivago]

Hello,

I normally work on PCs. My Aunt has a Macbook Pro and got some sort of pop-up on it last night saying her computer might not be secure. It gave her a number to call. She called, gave them info, they logged in and said her firewall was broke and she'd need to purchase a replacement. She gave them her credit card number and they spent about two hours "fixing" it. The number they had her call was 1-800-243-1926 and she said they went by something like Doyal Techno.

I believe this was a scam, although the company seems to be real. Anyway, she called the banks, canceled the charge to her credit card, changed all her financial information, everything. She brought me the laptop. I tried doing a full system restore.

I hit the funky button and R. It brought up the recovery screen. I selected Full system restore. It needed to connect to the net, I did that. It took a few hours and put Mac OS X back on there. However, when I login, a window pops up asking for her password for iCloud. It has her e-mail address. I'm guessing this information is stored on the Apple servers, am I right in thinking that? I also see Teamviewer running. Does that come with a default OS X installation or did the system restore not format the drive before reinstalling the OS?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[diif]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

Yes, it sounds very much like a scam.

Sounds like you didn't do a wipe before you did a restore and you should have signed out of iCloud before you started and deauthorised iTunes.

Instructions here http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac...tings-3494564/

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

Yes, it sounds very much like a scam.

Sounds like you didn't do a wipe before you did a restore and you should have signed out of iCloud before you started and deauthorised iTunes.

Instructions here http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac...tings-3494564/

Thank you Diff. You're right, I just assumed that it was a similar process to the type of recovers you see on Windows, where it's just an image that gets written to the hard drive. I started again and this time, I erased the hard drive.

I didn't get your post in time though. I didn't deauthorize iTunes. iCloud was signed out from the first restore. I didn't know her password so it never logged her back in.

What does deauthorizing iTunes do and what happens if I didn't deauthorize it? Is it going to cause any issues?

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

Also, I agree, I think it's a scam. I like to call scams like this, "legit scams". After researching the company a bit, I don't think they were trying to steal her identity or max out her cards. They scam people in legal ways. For example, it appears that they installed (and charged) her for an anti-virus program. However, to my knowledge, there are no viruses for Mac OS X in the wild. People that prey on other people's lack of computer knowledge to trick them into thinking they need stuff they don't actually need, and then charging them for it.

They installed Sophos on her PC. I believe Sophos for the Mac is free. I saw TeamViewer on there as well. That's probably how they got remote access to her machine. Mac OS X seems to a bit like Linux. Linux comes with a pretty good firewall. I'd like to think Mac OS X would come with a pretty good one too, but they told her that her firewall was broken and charged her for one of those as well (wtf!). Thanks for helping Diff. This is the second time I've ever worked on a Mac. Both times, it was my Aunts. Last time it was hardware so it was easy. The software part of it is a whole nother world to me though!

[ratdude747]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

Also, I agree, I think it's a scam. I like to call scams like this, "legit scams". After researching the company a bit, I don't think they were trying to steal her identity or max out her cards. They scam people in legal ways. For example, it appears that they installed (and charged) her for an anti-virus program. However, to my knowledge, there are no viruses for Mac OS X in the wild. People that prey on other people's lack of computer knowledge to trick them into thinking they need stuff they don't actually need, and then charging them for it.

They installed Sophos on her PC. I believe Sophos for the Mac is free. I saw TeamViewer on there as well. That's probably how they got remote access to her machine. Mac OS X seems to a bit like Linux. Linux comes with a pretty good firewall. I'd like to think Mac OS X would come with a pretty good one too, but they told her that her firewall was broken and charged her for one of those as well (wtf!). Thanks for helping Diff. This is the second time I've ever worked on a Mac. Both times, it was my Aunts. Last time it was hardware so it was easy. The software part of it is a whole nother world to me though!

There are Mac OSX viruses. They're few and far between, but they do exist.

Sadly, OSX is BSD with a fancy GUI and half the security gutted out. It was pretty awful in the mid 2000's; a Hacking contest nabbed a macbook air in 30 mins, a HP with windows in a few days, and a dell with linux in... oh wait, they couldn't, no prize (the laptop) for them. I'm sure it's gotten better but the BSD base doesn't really mean much.

[shovenose]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

At work half our Mac service jobs are virus removals. Why? Because Apple (and their users) are so convinced that "only idiots using Windows need to worry about malware" they have minimal built-in security and refuse to believe they need to run an AV.

If you have a Mac, put Avast for Mac on there. Completely free, won't slow down your machine, not annoying/intrusive, and it'll keep you safe.

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

There are Mac OSX viruses. They're few and far between, but they do exist.

Sadly, OSX is BSD with a fancy GUI and half the security gutted out. It was pretty awful in the mid 2000's; a Hacking contest nabbed a macbook air in 30 mins, a HP with windows in a few days, and a dell with linux in... oh wait, they couldn't, no prize (the laptop) for them. I'm sure it's gotten better but the BSD base doesn't really mean much.

When I was researching the virus thing (for all 10 seconds), I saw the first (and only post that I read) on google saying there was no known viruses for Mac OS X in the wild. I do apologize for my misunderstanding and thank you for correcting me.

I figured with the *nix like OS, it probably had the same security. Why would they gut half the security? I noticed there's a few programs that aren't available on the terminal that there are on my Linux box, like iptables. There is a program called iptabs. I wondered if that was the same, with just a shorter name and a little different. I don't have root access because I don't know root's password. Since I formatted and then reinstalled, I haven't logged into the OS. I'll let my Aunt do all that. It wants her to sign into that iCloud thing.

All in all, it looks like a nice system. Is there away to throw Linux on a Mac? When I had it torn apart last time (she spilled water on it), the hardware seemed really nice. Lot better than most laptops that I work on. I was impressed. It's a bit odd using the GUI though. The keyboard doesn't feel right either for some reason. The one mouse button is really weird.

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

At work half our Mac service jobs are virus removals. Why? Because Apple (and their users) are so convinced that "only idiots using Windows need to worry about malware" they have minimal built-in security and refuse to believe they need to run an AV.

If you have a Mac, put Avast for Mac on there. Completely free, won't slow down your machine, not annoying/intrusive, and it'll keep you safe.

Are they actual viruses or are they more like exploits that grant some hacker a remote shell or annoying malware type programs or something?

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

The only reason I ask is because I want to know if I should really throw some AV program on there for her or instead maybe try to find some IDS or something. On my Linux box, I only use the anti-virus program to scan my e-mails for Windows viruses but I do have an IDS installed and some nice security programs that watch the firewall for people trying to get in and block them if they try too many times.

[ratdude747]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

When I was researching the virus thing (for all 10 seconds), I saw the first (and only post that I read) on google saying there was no known viruses for Mac OS X in the wild. I do apologize for my misunderstanding and thank you for correcting me.

I figured with the *nix like OS, it probably had the same security. Why would they gut half the security? I noticed there's a few programs that aren't available on the terminal that there are on my Linux box, like iptables. There is a program called iptabs. I wondered if that was the same, with just a shorter name and a little different. I don't have root access because I don't know root's password. Since I formatted and then reinstalled, I haven't logged into the OS. I'll let my Aunt do all that. It wants her to sign into that iCloud thing.

All in all, it looks like a nice system. Is there away to throw Linux on a Mac? When I had it torn apart last time (she spilled water on it), the hardware seemed really nice. Lot better than most laptops that I work on. I was impressed. It's a bit odd using the GUI though. The keyboard doesn't feel right either for some reason. The one mouse button is really weird.

Convenience, mainly. It's a lot easier to do things without security in the way. It's the same reason why in the summer time you can go to the grocery store and find minivans in the lot with the windows down, doors unlocked, and the keys in the ignition. Can't be bothered.

Yes you can run linux on macs. Intel ones have vastly better support as aside from the EFI implementation, they're pretty much the same as PCs. PPC ones can as well but the support is crap (and you thought PPC OSX support was bad, oh you've seen nothing).

[diif]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

What does deauthorizing iTunes do and what happens if I didn't deauthorize it? Is it going to cause any issues?

It won't cause issues generally, it's because an iTunes account can only be installed in 5 instances.

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

Convenience, mainly. It's a lot easier to do things without security in the way. It's the same reason why in the summer time you can go to the grocery store and find minivans in the lot with the windows down, doors unlocked, and the keys in the ignition. Can't be bothered.

Yes you can run linux on macs. Intel ones have vastly better support as aside from the EFI implementation, they're pretty much the same as PCs. PPC ones can as well but the support is crap (and you thought PPC OSX support was bad, oh you've seen nothing).

Man, I'd like to get an Intel Macbook Pro then. Something nice, with an i7 maybe. It might take a little getting used too, but I think I'd adjust. The one button mouse thing messes with me. I've just kind of fallen in love with this thing!

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

It won't cause issues generally, it's because an iTunes account can only be installed in 5 instances.

Okay. Because I didn't deauthorize but I formatted the partition and then reinstalled OS X, does that mean when she gets the Mac back and enters her username / password for iCloud and all that, she's going to have to reauthorize her Mac for iTunes? If so, I'll give her instructions on how to deauthorize it and then reauthorize it. If it just works, I won't pass the instructions along.

Thanks for the help!

[diif]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

I think she might just have have to authorise her iTunes Spork. It won't need deauthorising but her install count will be down to 4 now.

[stj]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

if you put linux on it for someone else, install Gnome and the Cairo docking bar - it will make them feel more at home.

[ratdude747]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

Man, I'd like to get an Intel Macbook Pro then. Something nice, with an i7 maybe. It might take a little getting used too, but I think I'd adjust. The one button mouse thing messes with me. I've just kind of fallen in love with this thing!

IIRC they went away from that in the recent models. Just a touchpad, you configure how many buttons are at the bottom.

If it wasn't for the cost, reported display problems, and lack of serviceable hardware (SSD is the only modular part), I'd love a fully optioned 15" Macbook Pro with Retina Display in Gold, Triple booted (Arch x64, OSX, and Win 7 or 8.1). But, that's not bueno due to the mentioned issues.

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

if you put linux on it for someone else, install Gnome and the Cairo docking bar - it will make them feel more at home.

Oh god! I couldn't install Linux on her Mac! She'd kill me! I just thought if I was going to get one for myself, I'd rather have it running Linux than MacOS I think.

How do you feel about Gnome 3 Stj? I'm slowly getting used to it but there's certain things I always have to tweak after I install it. I don't like how it minimizes the windows when you move the mouse up to the upper left hand corner. Not big on the that bar to the left either. The one with all the programs. I think I might check out that Gnome Classic Shell.

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

IIRC they went away from that in the recent models. Just a touchpad, you configure how many buttons are at the bottom.

If it wasn't for the cost, reported display problems, and lack of serviceable hardware (SSD is the only modular part), I'd love a fully optioned 15" Macbook Pro with Retina Display in Gold, Triple booted (Arch x64, OSX, and Win 7 or 8.1). But, that's not bueno due to the mentioned issues.

I'm okay with the hardware thing, personally. I know the hard drives and RAM are really the only removable parts (from the I saw the inside of), but in all reality, that isn't much different than a PC's laptop, you know? The configurable buttons could be cool. Have you used one like that yet?

I can't really play video games so I don't need anything crazy fancy for the video or anything like that.

[stj]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

How do you feel about Gnome 3 Stj?

i dont like it, i'm a KDE person,
but it's probably closest to osx.

[Spork Schivago]

Re: Need help with a Macbook Pro and OS X.

KDE's closest to OS X, right? When I first logged into OS X, first thing I thought of was KDE. But I haven't ran KDE since I was really young, maybe 10 - 15 years ago. I wonder if it changed a lot. My friend had his system setup in such a way when he turned on his PC, he could pick if he wanted Gnome 2 (Classic), Gnome 3, KDE, XFCE, etc. I want to setup my machine like that but can't remember how he did it.