'MacGuard' double-plus ungood, avoid
The fine folks at Intego sent out a warning this morning about MacGuard, a bogus piece of software that claims to clean up your system and remove adware, spyware, and trojans. It doesn't.
According to the warning, MacGuard is simply a clone of a Windows app called WiniGuard. The company releasing the software, Innovagest 2000 SL, may be using the credit card numbers they harvest during the purchase process for "nefarious purposes."
WiniGuard "hijacks the user's desktop and typically displays exaggerated or false claims of spyware found to frighten the user into paying for the program," according to Sunbelt Malware Research Labs.
While our fine readers wouldn't get suckered into such a scheme, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles might not be so educated. If you know someone with a Mac who might fall for this, do them a favor and forward them this warning.
The MacGuard website is at macguard.net.
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The fine folks at Intego sent out a warning this morning about MacGuard, a bogus piece of software that claims to clean up your system and...
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Anybody notice that the contact info has a zip code (43017)? The zip code is for Dublin, OH.
October 19 2008 at 6:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply@mentalsticks: Wow, that's not racist...
that newspeak reference just made my day a whole lot better, thanks!
October 19 2008 at 11:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIs this a good condidate for a kill switch?
October 19 2008 at 8:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply( as long as there was a public announcement and a public register of killed apps, I would be in favor. The Mac's increased market share will not increase its vulnerability on a technical level, but this kind of 'social' engineering attack will definitely increase )
October 19 2008 at 8:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI can't see why anyone should be offended by Robert's comments... but then an arguementative moron is still an arguementative moron at any age.
The matter of fact is that older computer users are generally very easily agitated. The amount of time I have had to spend on the phone calming and soothing various older members of my extended family through various harmless IT situations is time I'll never get back. This is the simple truth, and I don't see how it is rude or derogatory to anyone.
"MacGuard has experienced significant growth in the last few years, becoming the world's fourth largest vendor of anti-virus software measured by installed user base."
Another funny one that they have become 4th largest!! that too in last 'few' years!
just emailed Mr. Paul Aspen..
"Hello Mr. Aspen,
I saw your piece of software on http://macguard.net/. I was just wondering which viruses does MacGuard look for? Last time I checked there were only 2 or 3 viruses for Macintosh computers, although I suppose I could count your software as a virus... Also, a quote from your site that makes no sense.. "Founded in 2008, with corporate offices in Europe, the US and the UK" and then going on to say "MacGuard has experienced significant growth in the last few years, becoming the world's fourth largest vendor of anti-virus software measured by installed user base. " These 2 sentences make no sense together? can you explain how effective your software is? Look forward to a reply.
Ben"
Still awaiting a reply.
What makes you think Paul Aspen has anything to do with the company?
Sometimes people are responsible for a lot of DNS records for various entities but have no other relationship to them.
Nice 1984 reference there guys. :P
October 18 2008 at 11:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI think that mainly has to do with alot of people think that Macs are impervious to viruses and malware. Even Apple itself suggests that you do NOT need any protection against malware, viruses and spyware. Alot of the *nix fans share this sentiment as well, which is naive and frankly, a little dumb IFAIC.
Get used to it guys. The Mac is gaining market share at a fairly rapid pace, and as it does, it becomes more and more of a target for software like this.
So yay, joy.. I guess not only can Mac users look forward to more Windows-esque sneaky software, but they can also look forward to equally worthless scanning software that doesn't do its job. Glee.
thank you for the newspeak
October 18 2008 at 10:12 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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