MessengerPC

The MessengerPC software is not a legitimate app by Facebook Inc. MessengerPC may be seen in free software bundles and feature the logo of Facebook, but it is not developed by the Internet giant, and its usage is not endorsed. Computer security researchers alert that MessengerPC may be promoted to PC users as "Facebook Messenger for Desktop" and the program may feature several names including 'MessengerNow' and 'MessengerWeb.' The only official messaging client for Facebook is Messenger by Facebook Inc that supports only Windows 10 systems and can be obtained for free from h[tt]ps://www.microsoft[.]com/store/p/messenger/9wzdncrf0083 and the Windows Store app.

MessengerPC and its clones ('MessengerNow' and 'MessengerWeb') are deemed as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) that are known to include tracking functionality. MessengerPC may be used to drop persistent Web beacons and load code into your browser. The application writes its files to 'C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\MessengerPC' as opposed to the usual Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders. The MessengerPC program is suspected of monitoring the user's Internet activity to provide ad publishers with statistics on sites you load, content you download, software on the computer and time spent online. It is not recommended to connect MessengerPC to your Facebook account and use it to exchange messages with your friends. The program at hand may keep a record of your messages, and it may make unauthorized data transmissions to ad publishers. PC users might want to consider MessengerPC for removal with the help of a credible anti-spyware scanner.