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M
markw5215
Participant
February 23, 2016
Answered

MacKeeper attached to FlashPlayer update?

  • February 23, 2016
  • 2 replies
  • 3737 views

I recently downloaded the free Adobe Flash Player update. When I decompressed the file, i was encouraged to install MacKeeper, a program I detest! In spite of my not asking for it and even without asking for my password to install it, I was shocked to see that it was installed! I searched the internet for instructions on how to uninstall it (there wee several!) I did so after a lengthy process that required almost 20 files to be deleted! I was very careful to follow the instructions but now, I can't find my Photos library!!! Is Adobe aware of this intrusion by the jerks who make MacKeeper? I'm not sure how this could have been attached to the download without Adobe's knowledge. Anxious to hear from someone because I am afraid to install the file I have from Adobe and, quite frankly, hesitant to ever upgrade FlashPlayer again even if it means I never use it again.

I hate MacKeeper!!!!!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer _maria_

Hi,

I am sorry you downloaded a malicious Flash Player installer that installed the questionable MacKeeper software.  Adobe does NOT bundle MacKeeper with the Flash Player installer, so this did not come from an official Adobe Flash Player installer.  The official location to download Flash Player from is get.adobe.com/flashplayer.  If the installer does not come from this site, or the update does not come from the Flash Player notification update prompt it didn't come from Adobe.


Regarding: "I'm not sure how this could have been attached to the download without Adobe's knowledge."  This actually does happen and Adobe does go after these malicious actors who post malicious Flash Player installers.  Where did you download the update from?  I have heard (recently) of MacKeeper doing this but was not provided with a URL to forward to the appropriate department to handle this.  If you have a URL, please private message it to me and I'll forward it to the fraud/privacy team to follow-up on.

Thank you.

--

Maria

2 replies

_maria_
_maria_Correct answer
Legend
February 23, 2016

Hi,

I am sorry you downloaded a malicious Flash Player installer that installed the questionable MacKeeper software.  Adobe does NOT bundle MacKeeper with the Flash Player installer, so this did not come from an official Adobe Flash Player installer.  The official location to download Flash Player from is get.adobe.com/flashplayer.  If the installer does not come from this site, or the update does not come from the Flash Player notification update prompt it didn't come from Adobe.


Regarding: "I'm not sure how this could have been attached to the download without Adobe's knowledge."  This actually does happen and Adobe does go after these malicious actors who post malicious Flash Player installers.  Where did you download the update from?  I have heard (recently) of MacKeeper doing this but was not provided with a URL to forward to the appropriate department to handle this.  If you have a URL, please private message it to me and I'll forward it to the fraud/privacy team to follow-up on.

Thank you.

--

Maria

M
markw5215Author
Participant
February 25, 2016

Hi Maria:

Thank so much for your reply. I received an email with a link. I know NOW that such an update would not have been sent this way and I will know in the future that this is fraudulent. In spite of my not selecting the option to download the app, the link was setup to install it whether you wanted it or not. They are a very evil company. I regret that I did not save the link so that I could send it to you. Below is an alarming article from Forbes about this company. I’m quite amazed they are still in business.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/12/14/mackeeper-13-million-apple-mac-data-leak-passwords/#322d01c7498e <http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/12/14/mackeeper-13-million-apple-mac-data-leak-passwords/#322d01c7498e>

Thanks again!

Mark Watters

_maria_
_maria_
Legend
February 25, 2016

Thanks for the follow-up.

If you do happen to receive another email like this, please private message me the URL and I will forward it to the security/fraud department for follow-up.

Thank you.

--

Maria

Rajashree Bhattacharya
Rajashree Bhattacharya
Legend
February 23, 2016

I understand that you will now be hesitant to install flash player again, I am moving this to flash player Forum for sound suggestion.

Thanks

Rajashree

M
markw5215Author
Participant
February 23, 2016

Thank you!

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