Apple update has blocked my MacKeeper Security app

1 - Given the nature of MacKeeper and the security and storage capabilities already built into macOS Tahoe,  I would not recommend overriding an Apple security block simply to continue using MacKeeper.

2 - macOS does not require a third-party disk-cleaning utility for normal operation.

3 - Apple provides built-in storage-management tools in System Settings >> General >> Storage for identifying and removing files and applications. Free up storage space on Mac — Apple Support

4 - Nor does macOS require third-party antivirus software for basic malware protection. 

5 - Apple documents that macOS incorporates Gatekeeper, notarization, XProtect and other security technologies to prevent, detect and address malware. Protecting against malware in macOS — Apple Platform Security

6 - Gatekeeper checks applications for characteristics including developer identification, notarization and whether software has been altered. 

7 - Apple also explains that notarization does not mean Apple recommends an application or that it is necessary, and Apple can revoke software credentials when appropriate. Gatekeeper and runtime protection in macOS — Apple Platform Security

8 -This does not establish that MacKeeper itself is malicious, and I would not make that claim without evidence. The exact wording of the macOS warning matters.

A - One other point: macOS Tahoe 26.5 is no longer the latest Tahoe release. 

B = Apple has subsequently released newer Tahoe versions containing security fixes. Apple security releases

C - For this reason, I would first make sure the Mac is fully updated before drawing conclusions about the MacKeeper block.

The relevant Apple resources are:

Free up storage space on Mac

Protecting against malware in macOS

Gatekeeper and runtime protection

Apple security releases

Bottom line: I would not bypass Apple's protection merely to restore MacKeeper.

D - Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions

MacKeeper

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

Official Apple Support Community

I have been using MacKeeper for years. It also provides a VPN.

Having them provide a VPN is no benefit for you. I really don't see how it can be any clearer, not only from the message you see on the screen, but also the recommendations from everyone here. Get rid of it.

MacKeeper Uninstall instructions

After uninstalling, I would also follow up with the free EtreCheck report, and post here using the Additional Text option when posting, to make sure all remnant files of that application have been removed. The report contains no personal information. Much like Malware, software like this does not want you to remove all of the files it installs and may want to leave some behind in order to get you to install it again and the EtreCheck report will show those files and where they are.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

In the future, never install:

• Cleaners
• Optimizers
• Antivirus
• VPN (unless required by a school/work environment where they would have an IT department telling you the exact setup needed to "tunnel" into their servers.

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

An Apple update has blocked my MacKeeper Security app. How can I override it?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Application Blocked

Do not use third party apps that claim to protect, clean, etc.

Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

Thank you for reaching out. 🤗

MacOS is the most secure operating system on the market. Privacy is at the very core of all Apple products and services.

Nothing can self-install, self-duplicate or self-sabotage your system.

I would advise against installing anything that interferes with that.

Don’t be fooled by clever marketing advertisement tactics that rely on fear to sell you a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

All the best! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian

It is done for your protection and any app that attempts to bypass the security exploits resolved in an update will be blocked. If you decide to continue and use MacKeeper for some reason, you will need to wait for them to provide an update that will work securely on your computer.

Presumably, the built-in macOS anti-malware detected and blocked something that MacKeeper tried.

Out of curiosity, what was the error message shown? Screenshot, please?

Some MacKeeper-related information from other add-on anti-malware apps:

• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/malware-encyclopedia-description?Name=PUA:MacOS/MacKeeper
• https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/pup-mackeeper

Older:

• https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2016/08/pup-friday-mackeeper

Mac keeper is more like malware then it is a security app. It interferes with the normal working op macOS. Get rid of it asap

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/636cefe1-aa87-491b-9c1d-1864dfd2525d

I have been using MacKeeper for years. It also provides a VPN.

That doesn't change the fact that it is complete garbage. And using a VPN to access the internet, ESPECIALLY one from them, does absolutely nothing to protect your privacy or secure your data. it does exactly the opposite.

Get rid of it.

MacKeeper is complete garbage. Calling is a "security app" is like calling cyanide cold medicine.

Get rid of it.

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

…It also provides a VPN.

In general, the “pinky promise” add-on VPNs badly solve a problem that hasn’t existed for a decade or so, but badly solve it in a way perfect for personally-identified web metadata collection.

Outside of geo-shifting for website or CDN testing or such, I’d generally avoid the “pinky promise” VPNs.

Use the existing end-to-end secure connections *that the add-on VPNs partially wrap with a second tunnel), and consider enabling iCloud+ Private Relay.

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/636cefe1-aa87-491b-9c1d-1864dfd2525d

I have been using MacKeeper for years. It also provides a VPN.

Read my reply to you above.

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

Official Apple Support Community

I have been using MacKeeper for years. It also provides a VPN.

Commercial VPNs 

They may not be what one believes they are doing for the computer and what they actually are doing behind the scenes and unbeknownst to the user ( you ) 

They may also reduce your Internet Speeds by upwards of 30% 

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

This MacKeeper is very mush akin to Avast One

Both making some wild claims to protect your computer and some of them include the claim of using Ai / LMM to augment their supposed protections

A marketing ploy to rope people into believing they pass all their personal responsibilities onto Third Party Software developed by Third Party Developers

Fatfingerpassword wrote:

It also provides a VPN.

Yes, a virtually private network that is not really private because like most commercial VPNs, MacKeeper collects sells your browsing data.