Privacy 1st observed a connection between Trend Micro and a Chinese developer while examining these apps.

They seem to do so only when receiving a specific JSON file at runtime when they attempt to connect to. It is to be noted that the apps always do not initiate data collection.

The data collected was sensitive user information and the data was being siphoned off to the domain. Antivirus collected browser and system history from Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. Security researcher Privacy 1st, who also first reported on Adware Doctor, found that Dr. The malware scanning abilities of the app were also dubious. Antivirus app and therefore, with Trend Micro. Discover the innovative world of Apple and shop everything iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV, plus explore accessories, entertainment, and expert device support. Malwarebytes found that the said app is indeed associated with the Dr. Reports of a Trend Micro app acting fishy surfaced last year when a user posted on the Malwarebytes forum that the ‘Open Any Files: RAR Support’ app took over his Mac and promoted the Trend Micro Antivirus product in the App Store. Prior to removal, these apps were all best sellers in their category with average ratings ranging between 4.6-4.9. Short on the heels of reports of Adware Doctor acting as spyware, security researchers have discovered that apps belonging to the account Trend Micro Incorporated have been removed from the Mac App Store.