On-access scanner no longer running

Had similar issue but different sequence of events involved. Received a fake LinkedIn message that appeared to be from one of my network. I clicked to review the message and an advertisement page opened up, telling me that I have been fooled despite all caution (all it takes is 1 sec of letting your guard down!). I flagged the message as spam and deleted it. Shortly after I got a message that Sophos Antivirus is not running. Upon further investigation I got a message that on-access scan is not running.

First thing I tried was a manual update. Current version is 8.0.5C, Threat detection engine 3.33.2 and Threat date is 4.79, all running on MacBookPro with OSX 10.6.8.

I tried to change the setting for on-access scan but could not. I checked permissions: System has read/write, admin and everyone has read-only. I added myself with read/write rights and tried again to change settings, but no luck.

At this stage I am suspecting that a malware may have infected my system. I disconnected my TimeMachine and Ethernet to prevent any spread. I checked on the advanced tab of my firewall if any new app has added itself. There was at the top of the list "screen sharing" separated by a line from the rest of the apps in the list and set to "allow". I could not change its setting to "block" and therefore as a precaution switched my firewall to block all sharing services.

I have read through this thread, but would like to hear from Sophos or the community manager before I start attempts to re-update or uninstall particularly as the password received with my user name from Sophos is masked and I don't remember it.

Appreciate any insight or advice you can contribute.

Had similar issue but different sequence of events involved. Received a fake LinkedIn message that appeared to be from one of my network. I clicked to review the message and an advertisement page opened up, telling me that I have been fooled despite all caution (all it takes is 1 sec of letting your guard down!). I flagged the message as spam and deleted it. Shortly after I got a message that Sophos Antivirus is not running. Upon further investigation I got a message that on-access scan is not running.

First thing I tried was a manual update. Current version is 8.0.5C, Threat detection engine 3.33.2 and Threat date is 4.79, all running on MacBookPro with OSX 10.6.8.

I tried to change the setting for on-access scan but could not. I checked permissions: System has read/write, admin and everyone has read-only. I added myself with read/write rights and tried again to change settings, but no luck.

At this stage I am suspecting that a malware may have infected my system. I disconnected my TimeMachine and Ethernet to prevent any spread. I checked on the advanced tab of my firewall if any new app has added itself. There was at the top of the list "screen sharing" separated by a line from the rest of the apps in the list and set to "allow". I could not change its setting to "block" and therefore as a precaution switched my firewall to block all sharing services.

I have read through this thread, but would like to hear from Sophos or the community manager before I start attempts to re-update or uninstall particularly as the password received with my user name from Sophos is masked and I don't remember it.

Appreciate any insight or advice you can contribute.