Apple security program, MacKeeper, celebrates difficult birthday

ITworld ^ | May 5, 2015 | Jeremy Kirk

[Utilizer]

MacKeeper, a utility and security program for Apple computers, celebrated its fifth birthday in April. But its gift to U.S. consumers who bought the application may be a slice of a $2 million class-action settlement.

Released in 2010, MacKeeper has been dogged by accusations that it exaggerates security threats in order to convince customers to buy. Its aggressive marketing has splashed MacKeeper pop-up ads all over the web.

The program was originally created by a company called ZeoBIT in Kiev, Ukraine. The country—full of young, smart programmers—has long been a hub for lower-cost software development and outsourcing.

[Jagdgewehr]

Its aggressive marketing has splashed MacKeeper pop-up ads all over the web.

Yeah, made me hate them even more.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Yeah they way they market I would never buy it. I don’t reward stupid and obtuse people.

[dayglored]

Psst, hey Sword, over here....

[Ronin]

It’s malware. It’s crap. Don’t even get anywhere near it.

[Utilizer]

Further:

The class-action suit, filed in May 2014 on behalf of Pennsylvania resident Holly Yencha, contends that MacKeeper falsely flagged security and performance problems in order to coax consumers into paying $39.95 for the full version. The suit sought $5 million in damages.

It is close to being settled, according to recent documents filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Under the settlement terms, ZeoBIT would put $2 million into a fund for those who want a refund, but admit no fault, which is customary in such settlements. It has yet to be approved by a judge.

[martin_fierro]

[Swordmaker]

MacKeeper's fifth birthday. . . which as far as I am concerned is about five years too many for this piece of MALWARE disguised as a utility for Mac users and advertised using the worst popup SCAREWARE techniques imaginable on the Internet. Avoid ever downloading and installing MacKeeper on your computer (I won't say "Like the plague, because it is a plague!) — PING!

Say NO to MacKeeper! Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

The current Freepathon is coming down to the wire. . . I challenge the members of the Apple ping list to each donate at least $10 each to the latest Freepathon. I HAVE donated $100. Many members of the Apple Ping list are already rising to the challenge. Join them. Let's show the power of the Apple Ping list in supporting Freerepublic!

If you have ordered an Apple Watch,
MAKE A DONATION TO THE FREEPATHON!

[Swordmaker]

Martin, I was looking for something like that for my PING alert. . . DANG!

[Swordmaker]

Thanks for posting this, Utilizer.

[Utilizer]

Welcome, mate. Looked important.

Cheers.

[Swordmaker]

Welcome, mate. Looked important.

It is! I look for any chance to tell people to avoid MacKeeper and appreciate any opportunity to tear the purveyors of that piece of excrement a new way to excrete it. . . GRIN! Thanks for the chance to do it again!

[tubebender]

Made my contribution to FR this morning ~

[Swordmaker]

Made my contribution to FR this morning ~

I thank you, and so does everyone on FR!

[TheBattman]

MacKeeper itself is a pile of malwear - it will slow and corrupt all sorts of bits on your computer. And to get you to run (and actually PAY for it), it will, as the OP states - exaggerate or even create issues to scare you into submission.