Home Malware Programs Mac Malware Mac Auto Fixer

Mac Auto Fixer

Posted: December 2, 2019

The Mac Auto Fixer is a Potentially Unwanted Program that nags users for premium registration so that it can 'clean' their computers and fix various security problems. Although malware experts see insufficient activity that would classify this threat as being unsafe, many of its installation methods use disingenuous techniques or tactics. Users should uninstall the Mac Auto Fixer with appropriate security products when possible.

The Fixer that Mostly Fixes Its Profit Margins

PUPs, or Potentially Unwanted Programs, are the 'annoying, but harmless siblings' of software. While they lack the aggression of Trojans or the good-faith features of most 'White Hat' software, they make up a smaller industry unto themselves. Most PUPs are Windows-targeting products, but the Mac Auto Fixer is an example of a macOS equivalent to Norassie, Fast Browser Search Protection or SystHeal Optimizer. Like the last of those three, it provides supposed security and cleanup benefits, but for the sake of a bait-and-switch leading into its premium registration demands.

The Mac Auto Fixer offers macOS users features including removing junk files, wiping history-related data for privacy, or removing threats from backdoor Trojans to adware supposedly. While malware experts haven't verified any of these capabilities, the software's official website only is a year old, and its company is concealing registrar information through a third-party. These are typical indicators of a small, startup company without the resources necessary for creating a full-fledged and competitive AV program, or even a junk cleaner product.

In their perusal of the Mac Auto Fixer's 'alternative' installation methods besides its website, malware researchers also found other characteristics worth some concern. Users might install the Mac Auto Fixer unintentionally through the following:

  • Its installer may bundle with another program, including legitimate and unrelated software, that the user finds on a website or file-sharing network. Bundlers don't always give adequate notice that they're installing one or more additional programs.
  • Some versions of the Mac Auto Fixer are using installers through fake Apple domains that generate equally-fictitious warnings about Trojans and viruses. These tactics recommend a 'repair process' involving installing the PUP.

The Right Fix to an Iffy Security Problem

Since 2018, the Mac Auto Fixer shows insufficient evidence of hostile intentions that malware researchers rate it as being a Trojan or equivalently-threatening program. Still, installation methods using the above, disingenuous techniques are capable of dropping real threats along with their PUPs, many of which are invisible or nearly so, like spyware and backdoor Trojans. Currently, the Mac Auto Fixer is specific to macOS systems, but many counterparts are on other operating systems, like Windows's AllPCOptimizer or the SafePCRepair Toolbar.

Minding one's download resources can help with evading nearly all Potentially Unwanted Programs. Torrents and other sources with unvetted downloads should undergo appropriate scans from security software before installation. Malware experts also recommend avoiding updates from non-official sources and watching for Web domain tactics, such as fake versions of Apple or Adobe websites.

Even though it's not unsafe, users should strongly consider removing the Mac Auto Fixer through compatible security software, since there's little to no evidence of its providing any security or optimization benefits.

The Mac Auto Fixer is a part of a long, if not-exactly-noble, history of programs demanding faith and money before service. As a good rule of thumb, any application that can't justify its presence before getting its price is worth zero, whether you're on macOS, Windows or another OS.

Loading...