Spigot

Spigot (Adware.MacOS.Spigot) is an adware-type application that uses deceptive marketing tricks to make users install it on their computers. Researchers suggest that a company named Spygot is responsible for this PUP, as well as for many other similar adware programs like Amazon Shopping Assistant and Slick Savings. Adware programs like Spigot can cause severe privacy issues, leading up to identity theft. Among their dangerous features is to record sensitive user data, including IP addresses, browsing history, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, keystrokes, and many others. Gathered in this way personal data is sold to third parties for a profit.

Intrusive ads, fake discount coupons, or pop-ups showing up constantly on your screen on top of any other content and decreasing your browsing experience are another characteristic symptom of an adware infection. Adware.MacOS.Spygot does this by employing tools that allow third-party graphic content on any website that the user visits. Basically, that creates a “virtual layer” over legitimate sites to promote, for example, gambling or adult content. Mac system users may also notice the presence of weird browser extensions or toolbars they did not install.

Though Spygot may have its own installation site, adware developers typically bundle these PUPs within the installation packages of regular software to install them in a stealth manner. Fake flash player installers are another option for Spygot to infiltrate MacOS computers.