F-Secure: MacSweeper a 'rogue' application
January 15th 2008
F-Secure is reporting on the appearance of MacSweeper, which the security company calls a rogue application.
[Software] such as this have been around for years on Windows (WinFixer, SpySheriff, et cetera). They're designed to trick people into thinking that they have security problems and that the only way to solve it is to buy the software. Up until now, this has been a Windows only problem, but that's not the case anymore.
After a user downloads, installs and run MacSweeper, the application will state that it has found hundreds of "privacy violations." Thereupon, it will then say, "You need to buy our software to be able to clean your Mac."
Needless to say, the app does nothing except fleece the user--it doesn't "clean" anything.
Beware Kiwi Software, the maker of MacSweeper.
Interactive learning tool for Switchers to Mac.