MacKeeper is a system utility that claims to improve the performance of Mac computers by cleaning up junk files, freeing memory, and removing malicious software. It also purports to safeguard user data through encryption and backup features. However, there are a few things about this app that raise red flags. These include a controversially aggressive marketing strategy and scare tactics being employed to peddle subscriptions.

Any web browser is intended to be an ultimately user-friendly tool where the whole customization and features are at one’s fingertips. Ideally, things are just as smooth as that and don’t deviate from the norm unless a piece of malware interferes with a victim’s web experience. Such a disruption occurs when the Search Baron virus infects a Mac and iteratively redirects the browser to bing.com without asking for the admin’s consent.

Browser-centric malware is taking the Mac world by storm. Rather than combat top-notch infections that utilize complex persistence techniques, the victims seem to be faced with the prosaic need for trashing some mischievous plugin and rectifying their Internet settings. Although this looks like good news and no big deal, the irritation caused by browser hijackers like SearchMine is huge, plus the cleanup isn’t as easy as it may appear.

It may be hard to tell a pseudo Mac optimization tool from a genuine one these days. Light-fingered vendors have gotten good enough at software design to evoke customer trust while providing dummy services. This is the case with the TuneupMyMac app to an extent. It infiltrates Macs without asking for authorization and then inflates the system with fake error reports.

The Internet is first and foremost an inexhaustible source of data, everything else coming next on the list of benefits. No wonder the niche of web search enhancement tools is a prolific one. Many of these applications actually make it easier to find information, but others wreak havoc with user experience while pretending to be useful. The Search Pulse app for Mac is in the latter category.

There are Mac apps that deliver unconditional value for the customer without any hidden caveats, and there are ones that only pretend to be useful in one way or another. The good news is, the former prevail over the latter. The bad news, though, is that when faced with the dubious kind of software, such as 1 Click PDF, the user is in trouble because of the irritating effects ensuing from the attack and considerable risks to their privacy.