Is MacKeeper a legitimate program?

Question

I am concerned about this app named "MacKeeper". It's very weird, and I'm not 100% sure it's legitimate. Is it real or a scam? Here's a screenshot:
Is this app real or a scam? People here on Apple Support Communities think MacKeeper is a scam and they tell you that you must uninstall it now. MacKeeper displays a lot of distracting popups and notifications, and for doing almost anything requires you pay for the registered version.
Message was edited by: Brandon Sky

Answer 1

Many users will see references to an application called MacKeeper on various web sites and via pop-ups on their browser. Not only is it expensive for what it purports to do (freeware applications that do the same or more are readily available), it can sometimes install itself without the user realising it, and it can be very tricky to get rid of.
Most positive reviews of it have been found to have been paid for by Zeobit (developers of MacKeeper) in the form of ‘free upgrades’ etc. For example (posted by fellow contributor Softwater), on their Facebook page and on their webpage they have this apparent endorsement from UNC Charlotte:
https://discussions.apple.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/2-18670779-12515 7/450-259/Screen+Shot+2012-06-17+at+17.04.04.png
Softwater contacted the Director of IT at the College of Arts and Architecture UNC Charlotte, about whether they endorse MacKeeper and his response, quoted here, was:
No, please do not download and install MacKeeper. We have seen problems with this software in the past.
MacKeeper has been described by various sources as highly invasive malware* that can de-stablize your operating system, adding that it is unethically marketed, with a history of making false advertising claims, by a company called Zeobit and a rip-off.
For more details about Zeobit’s alledgedly fraudulent advertising and paid-for ‘reviews’, and their dubious marketing practises, read this:
http://stemmings.com/the-truth-about-mackeeper-scam/
Further opinion on it and how to uninstall MacKeeper malware can be read here:
http://applehelpwriter.com/2011/09/21/how-to-uninstall-mackeeper-malware/
MacKeeper have recently said that the uninstaller from here:
http://applehelpwriter.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/how-to-uninstall-mackeeper-malwa re/
now works.
This is also worth reading:
http://www.reedcorner.net/news.php/?p=245
Equally phoney was iAntivirus:
http://www.reedcorner.net/news.php/?p=341
until it was purchased recently (May 2012) by Symantic (makers of Norton anti-virus which does not work well with Apple OS X). Even after having tinkered with it, iAntivirus still fails to do the job properly and cannot be recommended.
There are no viruses that can affect Apple OS X and there is therefore no reason to run anti-virus software on a Mac, but a Mac, like all computers, can transmit viruses and malware to other users particularly those running Windows. Note, however, that Trojans are another matter and can represent a genuine threat, an example of which was the recent 'Flashback Trojan' which you can read more about here:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3261
For further information you may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435
The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer some guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.
* The expression ‘malware’ is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software.