Watch out for spyware installed in free downloads (updated: mostly screensavers from 7art)

We usually dismiss security warnings from anti-virus companies because they are just plays to get Mac users to buy their software. This latest one from Intego might, however, be of concern to a few of you out there.

Description: Intego has discovered a spyware application that is installed by a number of freely distributed Mac applications and screen savers found on a variety of websites. This spyware, OSX/OpinionSpy, performs a number of malicious actions, from scanning files to recording user activity, as well as sending information about this activity to remote servers and opening a backdoor on infected Macs. OSX/OpinionSpy is installed by a number of applications and screen savers that are distributed on sites such as MacUpdate, VersionTracker and Softpedia. The spyware itself is not contained in these applications, but is downloaded during the installation process. 

Intego sells its Mac anit-virus software for $50 or there are many free anti-Virus software apps available like ClamAV.

The information provided with some of these applications contains a misleading text that users must accept explaining that a