Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Alert

Mac Hack or Prank?

Nov 9, 2011 2:28AM PST

I am having some issues on the Mac mini I use in my office. Either it's a prank from my co-workers, or it's some sort of keyboard-related hack. Whichever it is, I need help getting rid of it.

When I turned on my computer this morning, it said my keyboard (which is a Mac USB keyboard) could not be detected. Then it started detecting a second keyboard that wasn't mine. I had to reboot, because my keyboard was not working.

After rebooting, my mouse started moving on it's own. I opened Skype, which is a program I use regularly for my work. The keyboard started typing "1337" about every other minute. When it would type on it's own, the mouse would do a sort of diagonal fishtail move toward the upper left of my screen. I often kept losing control of my mouse, and the keyboard would not always type, or there was a VERY noticeable delay where the words just "appeared." My keyboard then started typing binary code, and phrases like "syntax error," while also sending them over Skype. Then, it typed the numeral form of pi, followed by several other numbers (it began happening more frequently). I was also online using the same Skype account on my MacBook Pro, so I could type to my coworkers that I was not the one sending them these messages... it was my phantom keyboard. Finally, it began typing messages directed at me:
"hello there"
"i can see you"
"i can see what you're doing"
"i know all of your passwords"
etc.

Now, I know it is a binary day, and all... But I am the only real Mac user in the office, and my Mini IS the only Mac in the office. My coworkers are not the most Mac savvy people, and I'm not sure if they would even know how to put some sort of prank like this on my keyboard without me knowing, or noticing.

I've read articles about keyboard hacks, but I don't know if that's the likeliest thing, either. I called Apple Care support (the Mini is still under warranty), but they said it was probably a prank, and that they had no way of verifying it so they could not replace my keyboard. Huh. Well, I didn't ask for a new keyboard, I just explained my problem. So, no help there.

I am considering taking it into the nearest Apple store, but that won't be for a while. As of now, it's completely unplugged and off until I can figure something out.

Has anyone heard of any of these problems I'm encountering?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Correction and Update
Nov 9, 2011 2:38AM PST

* binary day this week

My boss just came back to the office, and I turned on my computer to show him. It is running the same pattern of numbers and phrases that it previously typed. I'm guessing now it's a prank or probably a harmless virus. Either way, I'm still not sure what to do about it. Anyone have some suggestions?

- Collapse -
Disconnect the ethernet cable
Nov 9, 2011 5:17AM PST

and/or turn off the wireless (airport)

Reboot.

Still doing it?
If yes, it's not coming from outside

P

- Collapse -
The bit where you said
Nov 9, 2011 11:36AM PST

The bit where you said it seems to detect another keyboard makes it seem like someone in the office there has a bluetooth keyboard that they managed to pair with your computer.

So, just on the outside chance, I'd have your boss just give a little speech about how if someone is doing this, they've had their fun and now it needs to stop. I suppose it's ultimately up to your boss, but I'd suggest making it clear that so long as it stops immediately, s/he won't pursue the matter any further. Otherwise, any guilty party will be subject to some disciplinary actions.

I highly doubt this is some sort of hack on your keyboard. I am aware of some theoretical ways in which someone could plant a program inside the keyboard controller, but AFAIK, there's no actual program for doing this in the wild. It would also have to be a pretty small program. It might be some kind of trojan, but usually people don't go announcing themselves like that if they go to all the trouble of planting a trojan for malicious reasons.

- Collapse -
Eliminate one by one.
Nov 11, 2011 8:22AM PST

I kind of agree it might be another bluetooth keyboard.

Somebody has to have "access" in some way. Try eliminating outside "pipes" into your computer one by one.

First turn bluetooth off and see if that stops it. If it does, it is another keyboard.

Then unplug your Ethernet cable or turn off your Airport. Could be screen sharing.

Take the computer to your house and see if still there.

If any of those stop it, then it is likely a prank.

- Collapse -
Very Strange Indeed....it does sound like another keyboard
Nov 15, 2011 12:28AM PST

Go in to your System Preferences (the gears icon), click the Bluetooth icon, and see if the phantom keyboard is in the list....I would expect that you would see 2 if indeed there is another one. Delete the stranger. Change your passwords for your account and your administrator (search Mac help for "account password", and review "Important passwords in Mac OS X").
Then make sure (in Bluetooth Sharing settings) you only allow access to yourself and your Mac admintrator if you have any sharing preferences set.