MegaBackup PUA on MacOS

MegaBackup is the name of a Mac application that is commonly regarded as a PUA or a potentially unwanted application.

At its core, MegaBackup is a cloud storage backup tool intended to help you securely store your important information in the cloud. However, in addition to being freeware that would often install quietly on your Mac, without your explicit consent and knowledge as a user, it also shared some other features that are typical for potentially unwanted applications.

While MegaBackup is freeware, almost all of its functionality is paywalled. This wouldn't be an issue and is a sales model employed by a lot of applications on both Mac and Windows systems. However, MegaBackup will be very persistent in showing pop-up windows urging the user to buy the fully-featured version of the app. This sort of behavior is associated with PUAs called "nagware".

Additionally, you may find that uninstalling MegaBackup is not as easy as you expect.

Potentially unwanted applications like MegaBackup commonly end up on your system through bundle installers or app bundlers. Those are packages containing multiple applications, often distributed through less reputable free download websites.

In a lot of bundle installers there would be one more highly desirable flagship app, with a number of other potentially unwanted applications, piggy-backing inside the same install package and installing on your system quietly, with very poor disclosure and without explicit user consent.

This behavior is typical for PUAs and the best way to avoid similar potentially unwanted apps from ending up on your system is to avoid dubious download sites. Always source your applications from official sources, such as the well-curated App Store or a developer or publisher website.