Looking for new Mac software? Hoof yourself around to half a dozen different tracker sites to find the latest updates, or save your soles and ring our doorbell instead. Details

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Downloader Beware

If you've been directed here it's because we've flagged the software in question as potentially dangerous. Most developers are responsible when releasing their work, but some make very user-unfriendly choices. While we will immediately remove software we know to be malware, here are the reasons software might still be listed on MAT but considered something to avoid. Items marked with a red background apply to the linked software.

Administrative Access

Some software requests escalated privileges, or simply takes them if you're already logged in to the administrator account. Since you can't be certain what such software does when it takes control of the machine, we recommend not using the software.

Alters Desktop

Some software rearranges windows and icons, or does things like change the Dock settings. Usually this happens because the developer improperly forces screen resolution changes. Changing the system sound volume is another undesirable action we will flag.

Disreputable Company

Some developers show a pattern of software releases that are anti-user, or other business practices that call into question their motives. This includes things like affiliate marketing. We highly recommend you avoid anything produced by these companies.

Destroys Data

Some developers actually implement copy "protection" measures that they say will go so far as to delete files if it detects piracy. Since it is not known how likely a false positive is, we recommend not using the software.

Launches Applications

Some software opens other applications without the user's permission. Often times it is a web browser linking to the developer's web site, which further allows Internet tracking via web bugs. This includes "helper" applications that are installed and kept running with no reasonably useful purpose.

Opaque Installer

Some software uses special installer applications that make undisclosed changes to user files. Most properly written Mac software should work without an installer at all, or it should use Apple's Installer utility. Because we do not run these installers, such software may also suffer from Administrative Access dangers that might make undisclosed changes to system files.

Scatters Files

Some software puts support files in non-standard locations without asking permission. They often times clutter up your home directory or your Documents folder. There may also be a Destroys Data danger if a name collision with existing files happens.

Unsupported Format

Some software is still distributed in legacy formats (e.g., .hqx or .sit) that aren't useful to most current Mac OS X users. It's generally not worth your time or bandwidth downloading such software. Because they are unsupported by the OS, such software also suffers from Opaque Installer dangers.