Apr 03, 2018 And now, the detailed review of Mackeeper. What is Mackeeper? Mackeeper is a suite of cleaning and optimization tools for Mac. Will it slow my Mac? It actually improved my Macbook's performance. I ended up saving some storage space. The three features that I liked the most were Memory Ccleaner, Duplicates Finder, and Smart Uninstaller. Simply calling MacKeeper a ‘Mac cleaning application’ would be an understatement as it features up to 17 tune-up and optimization tools, which could easily be split into at least 3 separate apps. With MacKeeper you will be getting a set of dedicated drive cleanup, performance optimization, data security, and privacy sweeping features.
MacKeeper is utility software distributed by Kromtech Alliance. It is known for being heavily promoted through aggressive advertising and affiliate marketing. MacKeeper faced a class-action lawsuit because the company allegedly deceived users into paying for unneeded fixes. The lawsuit was settled in 2015 for US $2 million[2] without any admission of guilt by the company.
History[edit]
As of May 2019, five major versions of MacKeeper had been released. The first beta version, MacKeeper 0.8, was released on 13 May 2010.[3] MacKeeper 1.0 was released on October 26, 2010.[4] MacKeeper 2.0 was released on 30 January 2012 at Macworld – iWorld with an expanded number of utilities related to security, data control, cleaning and optimization.[5] Kromtech Alliance acquired MacKeeper from Zeobit in April 2013.[6] MacKeeper 3.0 was released in June 2014 as software as a service with a new 'human expert' feature and optimization with OS X Yosemite.[7][8] In July 2018, MacKeeper 4.0 was released.[9]
MacKeeper was initially developed in 2009 by Zeobit. In April 2013, Zeobit sold MacKeeper to Kromtech Alliance Corp.[6][10] Kromtech was closely affiliated with Zeobit in Ukraine and hired many former Kiev-based Zeobit employees.[10] In December 2015 security researcher Chris Vickery discovered a publicly accessible database of 21GB of MacKeeper user data on the internet, exposing the usernames, passwords and other information of over 13 million MacKeeper users. According to Kromtech this was the result of a 'server misconfiguration' and the error was 'fixed within hours of the discovery'.[11]
Features[edit]
It integrates Avira's anti-malware scanning engine, but some versions opened a critical security hole.[12][10][13] The filesystem-level encryption tool can encrypt files or folders with a password. The data recovery utility permits users to recover unintentionally deleted files. A backup software is also included, which can copy files to a USB flash drive, External HDD or FTP server. The data erasure permits users to permanently delete files although PC World argues that this feature duplicates the secure empty trash feature formerly built into macOS.[10] The disk cleaner finds and removes junk files on the hard drive in order to free up space.[14]
Reception[edit]Version 1.0 and 2.0[edit]
The earlier bundles received mixed reviews, with reviewers being divided as to the effectiveness of the software. Macworld gave MacKeeper 3.5 out of 5 stars in August 2010, based on the 0.9.6 build of the program, and found it a reasonably priced set of tools but experienced lagging while switching between tools.[15]MacLife rated it at 2.5 out of 5 and said it to be useful mainly for freeing up drive space, but found other features offered inconsistent results and believed most users won’t need its antivirus feature.[16]AV-Comparatives found that MacKeeper had an excellent ability to detect Mac-based malware.[17] They noted that it was 'very well suited to enthusiasts who have a good understanding of security issues, but not ideal for non-expert users who need pre-configured optimal security for their Macs.'[17] Zeobit claims that negative attacks were launched against MacKeeper by an unnamed competitor, and that many users and press were confusing MacKeeper with another application.[18]
Version 3.0[edit]
Reviews of the latest software version have been largely negative. A May 2015 test by PC World found that MacKeeper identified the need for extensive corrections on brand new fully patched machines.[10][19] In December 2015, Business Insider and iMore suggested users avoid the product and not install it.[20][21]Top Ten Reviews has removed MacKeeper from its top 10 ranking noting that the software had more features than its competitors but its performance in Mac malware identification tests showed other software had better detection rates, resulting in a score of 7.5 out of 10.[22] A July 2017 AV-TEST assessment found MacKeeper only detected 85.9 percent of the tested malware.[23][24]
MacKeeper has been criticized for being very difficult to uninstall; both Tom's Guide and MacWorld have published how-to guides for deleting the software.[21][25][21][26] According to MacWorld, users frequently ask how they can get rid of MacKeeper.[26]Sophos and Malwarebytes, both competing vendors to Kromtech in the anti-virus software market, have identified MacKeeper as a potentially unwanted program; Sophos reported MacKeeper as 2017's most prolific macOS potentially unwanted program.[27][28][29] MacWorld observed that aggressive MacKeeper advertising leads people to believe that the software is either malware or a scam, when it is neither; MacWorld also notes that some pop-up and pop-under ads may be due to third-party installers.[30][31]Computerworld described MacKeeper as 'a virulent piece of software that promises to cure all your Mac woes, but instead just makes things much worse'.[32]Softonic.com described the software as 'not perfect, but genuinely useful' while also noting MacKeeper exaggerates the threat associated with a user not having a security app.[1]
Marketing techniques[edit]
Multiple reviewers have criticized Zeobit's marketing and promotional techniques.[33][34] Kromtech buys upwards of 60 million ad impressions a month, making it one of the largest buyers of web traffic aimed at Mac users.[10] Zeobit has been accused of employing misleading advertising with regard to its promotion of MacKeeper, including aggressive affiliate marketing, pop-under ads and planting sockpuppet reviews as well as websites set up to discredit their competitors.[33][35] Kromtech has also had issues with affiliate advertisers, attracted by the 50 percent commissions Kromtech pays for sales of MacKeeper, who have wrapped MacKeeper ads into adware.[10]In 2018, Kromtech began to take steps against affiliate marketers it said were scamming users.[36]
Lawsuits[edit]Is Mackeeper Really Needed
In January 2014 a class action lawsuit was filed against Zeobit in Illinois.[37] The lawsuit alleged that 'neither the free trial nor the full registered versions of MacKeeper performed any credible diagnostic testing' and reported that a consumer's Mac was in need of repair and was at-risk due to harmful error.[37] In May 2014 a lawsuit was filed against Zeobit in Pennsylvania, alleging that MacKeeper fakes security problems to deceive victims into paying for unneeded fixes.[38][10] On 10 August 2015, Zeobit settled a class action lawsuit against it for US$2 million.[39] Customers who bought MacKeeper before 8 July 2015 can apply to get a refund.[40]
Kromtech also filed at least two unsuccessful lawsuits against those it perceives are defaming them. In July 2013 Kromtech filed a lawsuit against Macpaw, the developers of CleanMyMac. Kromtech alleged that Macpaw employees created several usernames and posts on several websites defaming the MacKeeper software.[41] The case was dismissed before the hearing.[42] A year later, in 2014, Kromtech again filed a lawsuit against David A. Cox alleging that he defamed Kromtech by calling MacKeeper a fraudulent application in a YouTube video. The judge dismissed the case for lack of personal jurisdiction.[43] In July 2016, Kromtech sent a cease and desist letter to Luqman Wadood, a 14-year old technology reviewer for alleged harassment and slander of the MacKeeper brand in a number of YouTube videos. Luqman said the videos were diplomatic.[44]
See also[edit]References[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MacKeeper&oldid=922324793'
In the last few years the market for Mac optimizers has been divided into two categories; there are the simple Mac cleaning solutions and there are those that provide additional features in addition to optimizing the computer’s system.
MacKeeper and CCleaner are the best examples of each of these distinct approaches. MacKeeper is in the latter category, one of the most dominant programs in the industry that sports not only Mac optimization features but additional extras like an antivirus and theft prevention. CCleaner, on the other hand, has kept things simple with its cleaning solution, and as a result has become one of the best optimization solutions that the market has to offer in this category.
MacKeeper
Although MacKeeper has a terrible reputation amongst Apple users, it’s actually quite a powerful multi-functional Mac optimization tool. For starters it’s not only a Mac cleaning tool but also a memory optimizer, a program updater, a file shredder, and a real-time antivirus. Additionally, MacKeeper is can also be used to provide advanced security for your Mac thanks its built-in anti-theft tool capable of tracking a stolen device through GPS. And these are just some of the many extra features…
MacKeeper is also a great asset in the removal of system junk, but thanks to restore points the process is entirely risk-free. Not to mention that the program’s cleaning features also hide the greatest strength of MacKeeper, namely the option for live assistance from Apple-certified professionals that can complete the system cleaning through the pay-only deep fix.
Activating the Built-in Anti-Theft ToolDeep Fix Provided via Remote Desktop
Interestingly, MacKeeper users aren’t purchasing a license but a subscription. On a monthly basis this costs $14.95 per month, but opting for a longer payment period – the maximum of which is two years – can reduce the price to just $4.95 per month. And to make the deal sweeter these longer subscriptions will unlock all of MacKeeper’s best features and also comes with a life-long refund policy that is applied in cases of software malfunction.
CCleaner
Compared to MacKeeper, CCleaner might seem to be at a huge disadvantage: it’s only a Mac cleaner with no special extras. However, this is also the software’s main charm, as its cleaning features are quite outstanding. Scans, for instance, can be performed as many times as you want in either the free or paid version of the program. There is even the option to specify which parts of the Mac should be analyzed Download imovie for mac. – covering the likes of system junk, unnecessary Safari elements and system apps – after which CCleaner will perform the cleaning within mere seconds.
Mackeeper Vs Mac Cleanup Pro
Since the program mostly focuses on deep cleaning, its list of additional features comprises of only a software uninstaller and a startup optimizer – both of which do their job as expected. However, CCleaner also possesses the so-called “Erase Free Space” feature that, despite being disabled on Macs with SSDs, can effectively remove all remaining traces of already deleted files.
CCleaner During Deep CleaningMackeeper PriceThe Erase Free Space Option
If that’s not convincing already, then CCleaner’s pricing certainly will turn your head. The program is available for free, but for a truly unlimited experience we recommend buying CCleaner Professional with a 30-day money back guarantee for $24.95 – a price that can be reduced to just $14.95 per license by purchasing five or more licenses.
Conclusion
Download sublime for mac. Before picking a winner you should ask yourself a question: do you need a virtual bodyguard for your Mac, or is just a cleaning solution to keep the device healthy enough?
MacKeeper is the bodyguard that ups the ante even when it comes to the sole purpose of cleaning by adding live assistance into the mix. It also provides additional Mac optimization tools for free, whether that is its built-in real-time antivirus, the clever anti-theft feature or a simple program updater. Not only that, but MacKeeper is cheap and has a life-long refund policy.
CCleaner, on the other hand, is a simple yet strong cleaning solution, providing unlimited super-fast scans and repairs that can clean the entirety of your Mac’s system, or just specified parts of it. The software is even supplied with a barely-limited free version, but even the complete, unlocked program is available for affordable prices that are even cheaper if you’re looking to put additional computers under CCleaner’s protection.
Best Mac Optimization Software of 2019Mackeeper Vs Advanced Mac Cleaner
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