Kromtech

Kromtech, formally identified in reference material as Kromtech Alliance Corp., was a software and technology organization focused on consumer security, Mac support, and related IT development and investment activities. Its best-known association was with MacKeeper, a macOS security and maintenance product that combined malware and online-threat protection with performance optimization and identity-theft safeguards. Kromtech acquired MacKeeper from its original developer, ZeoBit, in April 2013 and subsequently operated and developed the product as part of its consumer software portfolio. The MacKeeper business carried forward substantial reputational and legal baggage from its earlier period. A class-action lawsuit filed under ZeoBit alleged that MacKeeper had induced customers to pay for unnecessary computer repairs. The matter was settled in 2015 for US$2 million, without an admission of wrongdoing. Later, Kromtech stated that it was taking steps to remove affiliates and address aggressive sales practices associated with promotion of the product. At the end of 2019, MacKeeper announced a major transformation under a new international executive team, and by the end of that year the product and service had received AppEsteem certification. Beyond MacKeeper, Kromtech released MemoryKeeper in November 2014. The application was designed to monitor and manage memory usage on Mac computers, including automated cleanup and prioritization functions. Kromtech also launched Track My Mac in February 2016, an anti-theft utility that allowed a user to lock or unlock a missing computer remotely and capture a photograph of the person using it. The company pursued technology partnerships to strengthen its security capabilities. In June 2014, Avira licensed its Secure Antivirus API, known as SAVAPI, to Kromtech. The arrangement enabled MacKeeper to use Avira's anti-malware scanning technology as a background service. Kromtech's own security posture also became a public issue in late 2015, when security researcher Chris Vickery reported finding a misconfigured database containing approximately 13 million encrypted Kromtech accounts. In January 2016, Kromtech and Vickery announced a partnership intended to establish a security research center, linking the incident to a broader effort to improve security practices and independent research. Kromtech was also connected with disclosure of security incidents affecting other organizations. In October 2017, it discovered an exposure involving health information belonging to approximately 150,000 patients. The available reference material does not identify the affected organization or provide enough detail to assess the full consequences of that disclosure. At the end of 2019, certain Kromtech assets were acquired by Clario Tech Limited, a London-based company focused on consumer digital security and internet privacy. The transaction marked a transition of parts of Kromtech's product and technology portfolio into Clario's business. The available material does not establish whether Kromtech continued as an independent operating brand after the asset acquisition, so its current corporate status is left unspecified.

Kromtech Alliance Corp. developed a portfolio around consumer security software, Mac utilities, and IT services. Its public profile was built primarily through MacKeeper, a macOS product combining security protection, privacy-related safeguards, and system-performance tools. Kromtech acquired MacKeeper from ZeoBit in April 2013, making the product the central asset in its consumer software activities. MacKeeper's history included controversy before and during Kromtech's ownership. A class-action case filed during ZeoBit's operation alleged that customers had been misled into purchasing unnecessary fixes. The case concluded in 2015 with a US$2 million settlement and no admission of wrongdoing. Kromtech later described measures intended to remove affiliates and curb aggressive sales methods used to market the product. At the end of 2019, MacKeeper underwent a stated transformation led by a new international executive team, and the product and service received AppEsteem certification. Kromtech expanded beyond its flagship product with MemoryKeeper, released in November 2014. MemoryKeeper was designed to control memory consumption on Mac computers, with automated cleanup features and prioritization of active processes. In February 2016, Kromtech launched Track My Mac, an anti-theft tool with remote lock and unlock controls and a capability to photograph the person operating a lost or stolen computer. The company also relied on external security technology. In June 2014, Avira licensed its Secure Antivirus API to Kromtech. MacKeeper could use the resulting anti-malware scanning service in the background, allowing Kromtech to incorporate Avira's scanning technology into its consumer offering. Security disclosures became another important part of Kromtech's history. In December 2015, researcher Chris Vickery identified a misconfigured database containing approximately 13 million encrypted Kromtech accounts. In January 2016, Kromtech and Vickery announced a partnership to establish a security research center. Separately, in October 2017, Kromtech discovered a leak involving the health data of approximately 150,000 patients. The available source does not provide sufficient information about the affected healthcare organization or the eventual remediation. At the end of 2019, Clario Tech Limited acquired certain Kromtech assets. Clario was described as a London-based digital security and internet-privacy company and later presented consumer security software at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show. The reference material does not state that all of Kromtech was acquired, nor does it establish the company's present operating status. Kromtech is therefore best documented as a technology organization whose principal consumer products and selected assets moved into Clario's business, while its independent corporate continuity remains unclear.

• 2019

  Selected assets acquired by Clario Tech

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Clario Tech Limited acquired certain Kromtech assets at the end of 2019.

• 2017

  Patient-data leak discovered

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Kromtech discovered an exposure involving the health information of approximately 150,000 patients.

• 2016

  Track My Mac launched

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Kromtech introduced an anti-theft application with remote device controls and user-photography functionality.

• 2015

  MacKeeper lawsuit settlement

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  A class-action lawsuit associated with MacKeeper settled for US$2 million without an admission of wrongdoing.

• 2015

  Kromtech account database exposure reported

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Chris Vickery reported a misconfigured database containing approximately 13 million encrypted Kromtech accounts.

• 2014

  Avira technology partnership

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Avira licensed its Secure Antivirus API to Kromtech for use with MacKeeper's background malware-scanning service.

• 2014

  MemoryKeeper released

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Kromtech released MemoryKeeper, a Mac utility for monitoring and cleaning system memory.

• 2013

  MacKeeper acquired from ZeoBit

  [1]Kromtechen.wikipedia.org

  Kromtech acquired MacKeeper from ZeoBit in April and made the macOS security and optimization product a central part of its portfolio.

Consumer-focused Mac security, privacy, maintenance, and recovery software, supported by IT development and cybersecurity partnerships.

• macOS security and optimization software

  MacKeeper

  MacKeeper is a macOS software and service offering intended to protect users against malware, online threats, and identity theft while also providing system-performance and maintenance functions. Kromtech acquired it from ZeoBit in April 2013. The product later underwent a stated transformation under new international leadership and received AppEsteem certification at the end of 2019.

• Mac system utility · 2014

  MemoryKeeper

  MemoryKeeper is a Mac application for monitoring and controlling memory usage. It includes automated cleanup functionality and can prioritize memory allocation, helping users manage available RAM and reduce the need for manual maintenance.

• Mac anti-theft software · 2016

  Track My Mac

  Track My Mac is an anti-theft application launched in February 2016. It allows a user to lock or unlock a missing computer remotely and can photograph the person using the device, supporting identification and recovery efforts.

• 2018

  MacKeeper affiliate and sales-practice concerns

  Kromtech stated that it was taking steps to eliminate affiliates and address aggressive sales techniques used to promote MacKeeper.

  Source

• 2017

  Exposure of patient health information

  Kromtech discovered a leak involving health data belonging to approximately 150,000 patients. The available reference does not identify the affected organization or describe the final remediation.

  Source

• 2015

  MacKeeper deceptive-sales allegations and settlement

  A class-action lawsuit connected with MacKeeper alleged that users were deceived into paying for unnecessary fixes. The case settled for US$2 million without an admission of wrongdoing.

  Source

• 2015

  Exposure of encrypted Kromtech account records

  A researcher reported a misconfigured database containing approximately 13 million encrypted Kromtech accounts.

  Source

Read more

• 2019

  Transfer selected assets to Clario TechM&A

  Background

  Kromtech's consumer security assets were positioned for integration into a broader digital-security and privacy company.

  Action taken

  Clario Tech Limited acquired certain Kromtech assets at the end of 2019.

  Aftermath

  The transaction moved selected Kromtech products and technology into Clario's business, while the source does not clarify Kromtech's remaining corporate structure.

  Source

• 2018

  Change MacKeeper distribution practicesStrategy

  Background

  MacKeeper faced criticism concerning affiliate activity and aggressive promotional techniques.

  Action taken

  Kromtech stated that it began steps to eliminate affiliates and address aggressive sales practices.

  Aftermath

  The change preceded MacKeeper's announced transformation and later AppEsteem certification.

  Source

• 2014

  Integrate Avira scanning technologyStrategy

  Background

  Kromtech needed anti-malware scanning capabilities for its MacKeeper security service.

  Action taken

  Avira licensed its Secure Antivirus API to Kromtech for use in MacKeeper.

  Aftermath

  MacKeeper could run Avira's anti-malware scanning technology as a background service.

  Source

• 2013

  Acquire MacKeeper from ZeoBitM&A

  Background

  Kromtech sought to build its consumer Mac-security portfolio around an established security and optimization product.

  Action taken

  The company acquired MacKeeper from ZeoBit in April 2013.

  Aftermath

  MacKeeper became Kromtech's best-known product and remained central to its later transformation and certification efforts.

  Source

1. 1Kromtechen.wikipedia.org