Finder displays (4) Mac Mini on sidebar

[hleewell]

Some info on my Mac Mini: It is the Server Edition which I reconfigured to 2 separate HDDs, totaling in 1GB space. Instead of Server OS I installed the standard OS. It's been updated to the latest Lion version.

As you can see from the screenshot, the Mac Mini icon on the sidebar is showing (4) for some time. I thought it is just a glitch. It shows (2) before then (3), and now...

I am not worried if it is a glitch since it doesn't affect the performance of the Mac. But I have been hearing how Macs are being hacked with Keyloggers software and, my fear, Remote Viewing. I know my iMac G5 which I have sold was hacked by my buddy/enemy before. How do you know your Mac is not "remote viewed" by some hackers?

Sorry, not an IT expert...

 

[Sky Blue]

It's likely OS X thinks there's another Mac of the same name on the network, so it automatically changes the name.

 

[hleewell]

It's likely OS X thinks there's another Mac of the same name on the network, so it automatically changes the name.

I only have a MacBook and it is names MacBook XXXXWhat appears on the sidebar are duplicates..

Are there virtual Macs hacking into my WiFi network spying on me?

Would a fresh re-install help?

 

[Sky Blue]

No, no one is spying on you. Just go into Sharing and change the name.
Might have been when the Mini got a new IP or something similar.

 

[saulinpa]

A glitch in some versions of OSX that after a machine comes out of sleep it sees itself on the network so renames to prevent a conflict. I had it for a while but appears OK with 10.8.2. Very annoying!