This is not anti-virus software but is indeed a virus itself.

If you downloaded this virus and installed it, the following pages can help you get rid of it:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4650?locale=en_US (Manual Removal)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-mac-defender (Automated Removal Tool)

1. Bad Hard Drive

Hard Drives can start going bad and still function somewhat. Just because your computer is still booting doesn’t mean that your hard drive isn’t about to crash. Slowness can be a warning sign to a failing hard drive. Back up your data as soon as you can and run Disc Utilities. This is found under your Applications – Utilities folder. Click “Verify Disc”. If any red comes up take your computer in to get diagnosed because it could be a bad Hard Drive.

2. Not enough RAM

RAM helps applications run faster and smoother. As time progresses applications, videos and websites are using more and more resources from your computer. This means that upgrading your RAM could help speed up your computer.

3. Too slow of a Processor

Again, as technology goes on, computers become outdated. It’s just inevitable. And as technology goes on, it leaves outdated computers in the dust. Sooner or later your processors will not be able to keep up with the technology of the day. When this happens, it’s time to sell and upgrade!

4. OS Problems

Sometimes the Operating System just needs a good cleaning, maybe even a fresh install. This will clear all the junk out of the system that is dragging it down. You can either do a System Cleaning (if you know what to look for to delete), an Archive Install (preserving user name and settings) or a Clean Install (erasing your Hard Drive and starting from scratch).

5. Updates

Apple is good at providing you an easy way to keep your computer up to date with the latest fixes and updates. Make sure to run “Software Update” from your Apple Menu often. Sometimes this is the easiest way to fix a problem because Apple has already fixed it!

First thing to do is to tip your computer upside down and try to get the liquid to drip back off of it as much as possible. Grab a paper towel or something absorbent and lightly dab the spill, soaking up as much as you can.

The very next thing to do is to get it to a repair shop as quick as possible. The longer the liquid sits on the components, the more damage it can do to them. Do this even if the computer turns on still. If there is still liquid on the components, this can corrode over time and damage it.

CORNICE offers a spill service where we completely take apart your computer to the frame and clean everything. Sometimes this processes can save you a lot of money because even though your warranty might not cover the part, we can save the part by cleaning it. Many other Apple service departments will offer the same thing.

Step 1: Don’t continue to use the computer. Even though your files were emptied from the trash, they are actually still there! They just aren’t visible anymore. But if you continue to use the computer and write to the Hard Drive, you can overwrite the files and lose them forever. (Note: If you did a “secure erase” the chances of getting the data back are not so good).

Step 2: Bring in your computer for Data Recovery. We can attempt to find your deleted files and put them back on your computer.

What can you do to prevent data loss? How can you protect your sensitive data? Well if you are using Leopard or Snow Leopard as your Operating System you have a great tool to help you called Time Machine. All you need is an external Hard Drive hooked up to your computer (or a secondary Hard Drive inside your MacPro). For instructions on setting up Time Machine go here: Help: Setting Up Time Machine

If you are using Tiger and below, there is still a way to back up your data. There are programs like Super Duper and Carbon Copy Cloner that work well. Or if you just simply drag and drop your user folder onto your external hard drive. This is the folder that usually has your name on it. If you have multiple users, make sure to drag each user folder to the drive. When you do another backup by dragging over the user folder, just overwrite the previous backup (warning: this will delete all data from the previous backup so if you have changes that you might want to keep, make a separate folder for archiving).

If your hard drive does end up crashing and you don’t have your data backed up, there are data recovery solutions available. Contact us with any questions!