How Can I Regain Admin Control and Remove Unauthorized Access on My Mac?
Asked by
CuriousCat42
Hi everyone, I'm dealing with a serious security issue on my Apple devices, and I could really use your advice. Somehow, my personal computer has been compromised, and permissions have been granted to accounts I never authorized. I've tried a few security measures, including installing MalwareBytes and Norton, but I still can't regain admin rights to my own system.
I'm looking for help to remove these unauthorized permissions and restore my status as the primary administrator. I don't use these devices much since they're mainly for medical calls and personal messages, and they've never left my home. I also haven't used iCloud or transferred any data.
I suspect I've been hacked, as tech support has confirmed key logging activity and the quick compromise of my passwords even after creating new accounts. My devices have been wiped several times, yet the unauthorized access persists. This situation is impacting my ability to communicate and access necessary medical services, which is incredibly stressful given my circumstances.
If anyone has insights on how to tackle these system permission issues or any general advice on securing Apple devices, I'd really appreciate it!
Answers
First thing you should do is log into your Apple account through their website, and log out of every device linked to your account, even if it seems familiar. After that, reset your password to something strong and unique, at least 10 characters long. Once you have that sorted, you should factory reset all your Apple devices and then log back in with your new credentials. That should hopefully kick out any unauthorized access!
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If you’re open to it, uploading images of the issues you’re facing can really help. You can use imgur or any similar service to share links in this thread. Also, since you're not using the devices much, why not consider factory-resetting them? Starting fresh with a clean OS can often be the best way to wipe out malware and regain control!
CuriousCat42: Good suggestion! I can share an image showing the access issues. Just trying to find a simple way to do it.
DigitalDude99: I agree! A fresh install can save a lot of headaches.
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CuriousCat42: Thanks for the advice! We’ve done both of these steps a few times already, but I appreciate the reminder.