About MPlayerX: AppStore or website?

Hi there,


I hope my question is in the right forum.


I recently downloaded MPlayerX (as an alternative to VLC).


I first checked on the AppStore where it is available for $1.99:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mplayerx/id421131143?mt=12

On the description it says to go directly on the mplayerx website to download the latest version. As recommended I then checked this website where the application is... free (so why should I pay on the Appstore?)


So I decided to get it for free, as a dmg file, from the mplayerx website download page:

http://mplayerx.org/download.html#sthash.TURfp989.dpbs


But after installing the software, I noticed that MacKeeper was then also present in the applications folder on my MacBook!!!

So what would be the difference between the $1,99 version on the AppStore and the free version on the website? is the Mplayerx website corrupted? Is the MPlayerX app I downloaded corrupted? Why would they integrate this MacKeeper app in their dmg?


Note that MplayerX looks to be running fine on my computer so far (fingers crossed) and I managed to get rid of MacKeeper (via Terminal).

I just wonder if I should also get rid of MPlayerX now and get the AppStore version instead...


Thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), MPlayerX

Posted on Sep 7, 2015 1:13 AM

Reply
29 replies

Sep 7, 2015 8:16 AM in response to caribougnal

"Sourceforge" is a rogue site that intentionally distributes malware. Never download anything from that site again. The application that you downloaded tries to install "MacKeeper" and several other kinds of junk, including malicious extensions for Safari and other browsers. If you clicked "Accept" in any of the windows, ask for instructions. Remove any Safari extensions that you don't recognize and need. Do the same in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. Reset your home page, if it was changed.

Sep 7, 2015 5:41 PM in response to cabakroll

Ok, so it was a scam. I thought I was on the official page:

http://mplayerx.org/download.html#sthash.TURfp989.wZ5IqNfd.dpbs

But indeed, the download link directs me to the Sourceforge scam page and I didn't pay attention...

Anyway, like I said, I "just" had MacKeeper installed which I managed to remove totally. I have Chrome (as default browser), Firefox and Safari and none of them look corrupted (so far).


Is the MPlayerX I have (from the site) corrupted though? Or should I just trash it?


So to sum it up: the link in the description of the $1,99 MPlayerX on the AppStore directs to the official Mplayer site to download the same application for free which directs to a scam page where the file is corrupted with junk content...


cabakroll wrote:


i think you should go where your mac was calibrated and ask to remove old HASP drivers

it’s not ok to have outdated kernel extensions on the system

Problem is, it's been 3 years since I did the calibration and I don't live at the same place anymore... If I need to remove those old HASP drivers, I have to do it by myself. Maybe I could go to the Apple Genius Bar though...

Sep 7, 2015 8:33 PM in response to caribougnal

MPlayerX is perfectly legitimate software, but like anything else distributed via the Internet (not through Apple's App Store) it has been frequently "hijacked" by sites that bundle malware along with it. To learn how that can occur read How to install adware.


Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.

  • Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
  • "Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements
  • If you need to install software that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it only from legitimate sources authorized by the software's developer.

Sep 7, 2015 9:18 PM in response to caribougnal

MPlayerX is perfectly OK, and there is no reason to believe there is anything else affecting your system, other than Aladdin's HASP anti-piracy software which appears to be doing nothing other than crashing a lot. It is totally unrelated to MPlayerX.


The download link you provided results in a never-ending repetitious loop of downloading the MPlayerX .dmg file. Opening the resulting .dmg file just starts the download all over again. I have no idea what the heck that is intended to accomplish, but it all points to the fact that "Sourceforge" can no longer be considered a reliable source for Mac software. Forget about obtaining it from there. If you really, really need MPlayerX (and you probably don't) spend the two lousy bucks and get it from the Mac App Store.

Sep 7, 2015 10:56 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks for your help and details. It's getting clearer now.


Just to explain: as I said on the previous page, my VLC is bugging when watching a movie with lots of details (probably because of my X-Rite software according to cabakroll above). Quicktime doesn't support srt files (or I didn't manage to make it work), this is why I downloaded MPlayerX which is working fine despite the fact that it also installed this MacKeeper-scam.

Since MPlayerX is already installed now, do you think I should get rid of it?

Sep 7, 2015 11:52 PM in response to caribougnal

MPlayerX is not malicious in itself, so there is no reason to get rid of it. Problems occur when a program has been "hijacked" by any number of software download aggregator sites that bundle malware with an otherwise legitimate installation program. That can occur with anything generally distributed through an Internet download, which is the reason for verifying the source is a reliable one. SourceForge can no longer be considered reliable, nor can most other download aggregator sites; certainly none that accept advertisements for garbage products. Most of them do... advertisements pay the bills.


To over-generalize in the extreme, if you see a "download now" button that is green with white text, run away. Of course I'm being facetious, but malware peddlers appear to be fond of that color scheme. I surmise it's effective.


User uploaded file


<-- avoid

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