Compared with Windows computers, Macs are less likely to be infected with viruses, but that doesn’t mean that Macs are 100% virus-free. The once popular utility application “NightOwl” on Mac has gained a lot of downloads because it can help realize the dark mode on the computer (of course it has not been introduced yet), but now it seems to have become a Trojan horse to steal user data. If you still have this application on your old Mac, it is time to get rid of it.
The once-respected Mac app “NightOwl” is now a Trojan
Before Apple actually introduced dark mode in macOS Mojave in 2018, switching your Mac’s light and dark mode options based on the time of day, NightOwl was a useful app for doing just that. NightOwl allows users to automatically switch between the two modes at specific times of the day. Currently, this tool still exists, but it is useless because its core is now built into macOS, but the so-called “existence” has a different meaning.
At some point in time, the app’s developers sold it to another company called “TPE.” FYI LLC and the company inject some malicious code into the app, essentially making your device part of a botnet for so-called “market research.” This is all done without user consent and without any option to exit, as even exiting the app does not disable this feature. The app’s official website also contains excellent reviews from users and media from many years ago, which can easily mislead netizens.
The only explanation that is barely informative is a small section in the app’s terms of service, which reads: “Whereas the NightOwl application enables users to share network traffic by modifying the network settings of their devices to serve as a gateway for network traffic. In addition, the user’s device acts as a conduit for the NightOwl application, including companies specializing in network and market research, SEO, brand protection, content delivery, network security, etc.”
WHEREAS, NightOwl app enables Users to share internet traffic by modifying their device’s network settings to be used as a gateway for internet traffic. Additionally, the User’s device acts as a gateway for NightOwl app’s Clients, including companies that specialize in web and market research, SEO, brand protection, content delivery, cybersecurity, etc.
If you are using the NightOwl app, you should delete it completely from your computer. If you have a newer version of macOS, the app’s functionality is already built into the operating system, and even if you’re still using an older version, is automatically changing from light mode to dark mode really worth it at the cost of your computer becoming part of a botnet?
Source: KOCPC Chinese