47CAM

Q: should I have MacKeeper on my Mac mini?

I got a popup yesterday about a virus and a link to install MacKeeper (free) there was an "Apple Certified" person in a chat window so I installed, then they wanted me to purchase a licensed versions to finish the "fix".  I did not but the free versions keeps giving me warnings to activate.  Should I or should I uninstall the free version.  I wasn't having any issues before this pop up

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Jul 24, 2016 7:32 AM

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Q: should I have MacKeeper on my Mac mini?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by stedman1,Helpful

    stedman1 stedman1 Jul 24, 2016 12:13 PM in response to 47CAM
    Level 9 (73,345 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 24, 2016 12:13 PM in response to 47CAM

    Uninstall as soon as possible, using developer's instructions.

    Do not respond to such popup messages, as they are ALWAYS a scam.

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 24, 2016 7:37 AM in response to 47CAM
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 24, 2016 7:37 AM in response to 47CAM

    Not on your life! What do you mean, "there was an "Apple Certified" person in a chat window"?

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 24, 2016 7:42 AM in response to 47CAM
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 24, 2016 7:42 AM in response to 47CAM

    The MacKeeper instructions for uninstall tell you to drag the app to the Trash. But that won't get all pieces of it, use these manual removal steps to assure you've got it all:

    1. Open MacKeeper.

    2. Quit MacKeeper.

    3. Open the Applications folder and drag MacKeeper to the Trash.

    4. Enter your admin password.

    5. A pop-up window appears asking if you want to Uninstall the rest of the components.

    6. Click Uninstall MacKeeper.

    7. Choose Go > Go to Folder from Finder.

    8. Enter ~/Library/Application Support.

    9. Find a file called NoticeEngine.plugin. Drag it to the Trash.

    10.Restart your Mac (Apple > Restart).

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Jul 24, 2016 11:47 AM in response to 47CAM
    Level 8 (48,821 points)
    Jul 24, 2016 11:47 AM in response to 47CAM

    Do not install MacKeeper (and how to uninstall it if you have):

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6221

     

    It contains a major security flaw, recently noted:

     

    http://www.macnn.com/articles/15/05/08/contentious.utility.ignored.apple.guideli nes.created.zero.day.exploit.128538/

     

    There is currently a class-action against MacKeeper:

     

    http://www.macworld.com/article/2927032/ads-for-mackeeper-refunds-will-run-on-fa cebook.html#tk.nl_mwbest

     

    (Please note that references to the original developers, Zeobit, also now refer to Kromtech Alliance Corp, who acquired MacKeeper and PCKeeper from ZeoBit LLC in early 2013.)

  • by 47CAM,

    47CAM 47CAM Jul 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 24, 2016 12:17 PM in response to macjack

    I did all but #8-9 as I did not have that in the library/application support  I only had the free version did not put in dock 

  • by 47CAM,

    47CAM 47CAM Jul 24, 2016 12:19 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 24, 2016 12:19 PM in response to macjack

    Just exactly that.  A chat window opened  name was Chris and it said Apple Certified..I  trusted site because of that

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Jul 24, 2016 12:22 PM in response to 47CAM
    Level 6 (8,410 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 24, 2016 12:22 PM in response to 47CAM

    You simply cannot trust any software, item or whatever that presents itself in a pop-up. No respectable company uses this kind of tactic.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jul 24, 2016 9:49 PM in response to 47CAM
    Level 8 (48,595 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 24, 2016 9:49 PM in response to 47CAM

    You were not communicating with Apple. You fell victim to a scam.

     

    Please read Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popups and web pages.

     

    Your actions now depend on whether you actually permitted criminals to remotely log in and access your Mac. Did you permit them to do that?

     

    should I have MacKeeper on my Mac mini?

     

    No you should not. To uninstall "MacKeeper" follow its instructions, summarized below.

     


     

    Follow these instructions to uninstall MacKeeper. They have been tested with the most recent version of MacKeeper. Earlier versions than the one released in 2012 required more extensive work to uninstall all its components.

     

    If you actually used MacKeeper to alter your system, e.g. "remove excess binaries" or such, you will need to reinstall OS X as well as all your additional software. Uninstalling MacKeeper is insufficient to reverse the corruption it is capable of – once again, that is if you used it.

     

    If you merely installed MacKeeper but did not use it to perform any particular action, the following instructions will suffice.

     


     

    • If you used MacKeeper to encrypt any files or folders, use MacKeeper to un-encrypt them first.
    • Quit the MacKeeper app if it is running.
    • Open your Applications folder: Using the Finder's Go menu, select Applications.
    • Drag the MacKeeper icon from your Applications folder (not the Dock) to the Trash.

     

    You will be asked to authenticate (twice):


    Uninstall MK confirmation.png

    You do not need to provide a reason for uninstalling it:


    Uninstall+MK.png

    Just click the Uninstall MacKeeper button. You will be asked to authenticate again.


    After it uninstalls you may empty the Trash and restart your Mac.

     


    Recovery Procedure


    Follow these instructions if uninstalling MacKeeper alone does not result in a usable system.

    • If you have a backup that you created prior to using MacKeeper, now is the time to use it. For Time Machine, boot OS X Recovery, and at the Mac OS X Utilities screen, choose Restore from Time Machine Backup. Choose a date preceding the installation of MacKeeper.
    • If you do not have a backup that predates the use of MacKeeper, create one now. To do that read Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac.
      • The recovery procedure will require that you erase the Mac using OS X Recovery, and then create a new User Account whose contents will be empty. You will then be able to use Setup Assistant to migrate your essential documents including photos, music, work products and other essential files.
      • To erase and install OS X read How to reinstall OS X on your Mac.
        • Follow the instructions in that document under Erase your drive and install OS X.
        • Then, follow the procedure in Move your content to a new Mac.
        • When asked how you want to transfer your information, select Transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
        • Under Select the Information to Transfer, select only your previous User account and do not select "Applications", "Computer and Network Settings" or "Other files and folders". De-select those choices.
      • Subsequent to using Setup Assistant, you will need to reinstall the essential software you may require, once again remembering to install software only from their original sources, and omitting all non-essential software.
      • "Non-essential software" is a broad category that includes but is not limited to third party "cleaning", "maintenance", and "anti-virus" products.
  • by oldcdr,

    oldcdr oldcdr Jul 30, 2016 12:22 PM in response to 47CAM
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 12:22 PM in response to 47CAM

    Is Advanced Mac Cleaner in the same category as MacKeeper?

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 30, 2016 12:35 PM in response to oldcdr
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 30, 2016 12:35 PM in response to oldcdr

    Yes.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jul 30, 2016 12:41 PM in response to oldcdr
    Level 9 (50,245 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 12:41 PM in response to oldcdr

    oldcdr wrote:

     

    Is Advanced Mac Cleaner in the same category as MacKeeper?

    To keep it simple: Everything that claims it can Clean, Protect, or Optimize your Mac is a scam, Mackeeper and Advanced Mac Cleaner are merely 2 of many, they are all bad.