"MacKeeper offer free download to check your Mac..any good ?

Question

After one downloads this "free" MacKeeper..is it really free > and what problems can it present ?

Answer 1

TaylorN90 wrote:
I also use OnyX as well, I simply purchased Mac keeper for the automation, and the anti-theft.
Mac's don't need anything, certainly don't need performance robbing, always on, third party anti-virus that has always caused problems in the past as Apple changes things and combats malware themselves, why Mac's hardly get any malware, and if they do, not for long.
For those who deal with Windows files and want to clean the filth off, there is the free ClamXav
http://www.clamxav.com/
For those who get a rare corrupt cache file, there is the free OnyX, which has been around for ages.
http://www.titanium.free.fr/
For people by accident have a lot of duplicate files, which doesn't occur very often, there is Decloner and others
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/30827/decloner
TaylorN90 wrote:
 It's good because it can help if your Mac gets stolen, and its a lot cheaper than some of the other anti-theft services out there
It "can" help, but it really can't and $40 a year is really wasted.
For those who want to track down a rarely stolen Mac there is free Prey
http://preyproject.com/
This is the facts about recovereing a stolen Mac.
If you don't get the computer within the first week or so, by some dumb local kid who snatched it and wants to use it, keeps all your data on it, your options after that are pretty slim concerning recovery options.
The problem with tracking software is there isn't a whole lot of "open" networks for the computer to connect automatically to the Internet anymore. Most networks are now password protected, so in order to get on a network means one has to enter the password into OS X, which means they got to get into it first.
The way most Mac's are they are password protected, the thief when confronted with a password screen, is likely going to wipe the entire computer to remove all traces of the former owner, including MacKeeper and Prey, for sale on eBay, classifieds, overseas etc. or to use it themselves. Any pro thief or fence with brains is going to let a hot device "cool" off for some time before messing with it, then it's going to get wiped of all data and sold in a way as not to be traceable back to the seller.
Even if the wiped computer id gets picked up by Apple's servers and Apple cooperates (likely not) and provides a consistent IP where the computer is located, the costs involved recovering the machine is going to be in most cases, substantially more than the machine is worth, in another State or country halfway around the world. Then it's likely going to be some innocent who bought it used off eBay or classified and can't locate the purchaser.
Unless you had your Mac just stolen and Prey picked it up in a few days and you ran down to the police station with tons of evidence showing you know exactly where it's at, the police will likely do nothing or hope it shows up in a raid they made, as they are looking for someone to arrest and throw in jail so they can meet their quota's (jail is a business) so they want to make sure if they are going out with you, they can make a arrest. God forbid if your wrong or you just missed the thief at the coffee shop, you likely won't get another shot.
If your really concerned about recuperating your losses on a stolen Mac, you should buy insurance. Some forms of renters and property insurance covers loss from a burglery, provided the Mac was stolen in such a manner.
So what is that $40 a year for MacKeeper really going for? Nothing.