[SOLVED] Is my computer security compromised?

[beagle10]

First good things:

For several years, I was using popular dabian based Linux distributions. But, for my new Asuscomputer, I couldn't get correct screen resolution and graphics (Intel i7) to work.
Besides, installation of those distributions required me to turn off several boot options. About two months ago, I came across Mageia and tried it's ver3 distribution. It installed and worked like a charm.

Here is my problem:

Initial one or two weeks, I used to get user login prompt for password. I changed the dektop from KDE to Gnome to XFCE. For next several weeks, my computer was booting straight without the need for user password input.
Today, I installed WINE. After WINE install, I notice that once again the boot requires my user password. In addition, I notice that left side of my name has a picture icon of an animal. I have no recollection of installing this picture icon.

Is there any way to check if my computer security is breached?

Thanks,
B10

Hardware: Asus laptop U46E-bal7

[djennings]

Short Answer : Probably not

Long Answer :

If you have been switching desktops (KDE/Gnome/XFCE) then each desktop will have installed its own login manager (kdm, gdm, and whatever xfce includes) each login manager will have differences in layout. The picture you see at login is because you are using a different login manager. You can select the login manager you prefer in Mageia Control Centre>Boot menu>Set up display Manager https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Display_Managers

As for the login without password that is configured in Mageia Control Centre>boot>autologin. I suspect installing different desktops has caused it to change. If this is mageia 3 you are using, then it is not the released version, and I know has had some changes recently made in autologin. In pre release software stuff is liable to change without notice.

On installation Mageia does not install telnet or ssh or any of the other normal methods an attacker will use to gain access to your computer so noone will have got in that way. It is possible for an attacker to exploit a flaw in a browser, but that would only give them access to your user account without root privilege. If you are concerned you could examine the security logs generated by msec (Mageia Secure) at /var/log/security

[beagle10]

Thanks for the detailed answer.

B10