{"id":12621,"date":"2026-05-05T10:03:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T10:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/beware-of-fake-notepad-for-mac-website-possibly-could-harm-your-machine\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T10:03:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T10:03:47","slug":"beware-of-fake-notepad-for-mac-website-possibly-could-harm-your-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/beware-of-fake-notepad-for-mac-website-possibly-could-harm-your-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"Beware of Fake \u2018Notepad++ for Mac\u2019 Website, Possibly Could Harm your Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    Beware of Fake \u2018Notepad++ for Mac\u2019 Website, Possibly Could Harm your Machine<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    <!-- no image --><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>A fake website claiming to offer an official macOS version of the popular text editor Notepad++ has been making rounds online, raising serious cybersecurity concerns across the tech community. <\/p>\n<p>The site, operating under the domain notepad-plus-plus-mac.org, falsely presents itself as the official release of Notepad++ for Apple devices, misleading thousands of users who simply want a trusted code editor on their Mac. <\/p>\n<p>What makes this situation more dangerous is that the website has already managed to fool reputable tech media outlets, including MacRumors and AlternativeTo, into reporting it as a <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/why-you-need-to-monitor-legitimate-bot-trafficgic-visibility-gap-long-term-bot-insights\/\" id=\"139179\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">legitimate product<\/a> launch.<\/p>\n<p>Notepad++ has been a Windows-exclusive text editor for over two decades, and its creator Don Ho has never released any version for macOS. <\/p>\n<p>The fake site, however, boldly claimed that \u201cNotepad++ is now natively available for macOS\u201d with \u201cno Wine, no emulation\u201d and marketed itself as \u201ca full native port for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>To make things worse, the site even used Don Ho\u2019s name and biography on its author page without any permission, creating a false sense of official endorsement. <\/p>\n<p>Ho personally reached out to the site owner to address the trademark violation, but as of May 5, 2026, he has received no reply.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/IntCyberDigest\/status\/2051371064005943725\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/IntCyberDigest\/status\/2051371064005943725\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Analysts at International Cyber Digest were among the first to publicly flag the threat<\/a>, pointing out that the website uses the Notepad++ trademark and the founder\u2019s identity without authorization. <\/p>\n<p>Their warning reached nearly 40,000 views within hours of being posted, signaling just how widespread the confusion had become. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/72x72\/2757.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"\u2757\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\"> There is a fake &#8220;Notepad++ for Mac&#8221; website making the rounds, and it has already fooled tech media into reporting it as an official release.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/72x72\/1f534.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"\ud83d\udd34\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\"> Notepad++ has never released a macOS version<br \/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/72x72\/1f534.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"\ud83d\udd34\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\"> Site uses the trademark + the founder&#8217;s name and bio without permission<br \/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/72x72\/1f534.png?ssl=1\" alt=\"\ud83d\udd34\" class=\"wp-smiley\" style=\"height: 1em; max-height: 1em;\"> Founder\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BEzdcG0onc\">pic.twitter.com\/BEzdcG0onc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 International Cyber Digest (@IntCyberDigest) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IntCyberDigest\/status\/2051371064005943725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 4, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Readers on X\u2019s community notes also added context, clarifying that the site represents an unofficial community port and is not affiliated with the original Notepad++ development team in any capacity.<a href=\"https:\/\/ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com\/web\/direct-files\/attachments\/11146061\/c7e0d6ba-5d0a-4eb9-a45c-799696c9e866\/Beware-of-Fake-Notepad-for-Mac-Website-Possibly-Could-Harm-your-Machine.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=ASIA2F3EMEYE3IG5IPQD&amp;Signature=UJin%2FUboRB%2Bqs45CuxJdmmZKdzc%3D&amp;x-amz-security-token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjELf%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJGMEQCIHQM98tnLL9szbvbGOTQvLXjM4KfD7u8IHQWYOyEQpDAAiBItZEbwJnLQfnwu63qWdYWaU2KJiPv0WpWR6u9xgmPOir8BAiA%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F8BEAEaDDY5OTc1MzMwOTcwNSIMra0knvRH5J2JVatrKtAEzbcSpuFJceY5KSP60Jc4trO76F%2B027qRvc4KGIDQwsuZkEn1N5yaHZ1KvlRBXI%2F4aFiR6uNw1u3GAKCfEiaOiXGMx7w4zU06fnZm9Y8808LyNuNg6Wctlukznf7opxiFf0MkTLEsVfqNIkHmETqBudOFSSvQOmgBQZXLvvet05KUhsUZKOFFTZkuiUZAy3KiAK6zCZma7Yg7gWXYGp5jbi6YQl92jGT35Xk3ebr%2F0RPHRGgQ3L3mzbw7ExkZ4zX%2BM%2BohhM3HXUo6spfw3FpMwPwgzBT3UOo0eWDApx039SiTPh%2FplesKaTVujxruZPAEH1Jz91OnCbL9N83cNBAQNpxGdm2khO0ZMQj8VwZfwdfORz6YfEvfhGyUXU4kSu3zpzXmSicxRTPuH6vpSqw2L6vQOpjDmHuBoxihjRTmyNKaHMaZr1NCchG2F4jhCfIBiEIW8OwbEgf7o%2BpykMPWeQxXRlNSfdJebhS23QD%2B2aEeNsDFWIXxnQgRsEWQAqiLFQ3BEWKizbcxz4vr9A%2BqvI6Lw%2BuR7dDO39oIq8O%2BXDzi4xIyEHoXAYVIhaAwubpzpg2cxoc2EOABWn9kVXPAfukVv0wNk25w5H4LUestsq03xXl9DWGJqmml5hPTDzl8w9%2FE2IKPxraaecR8uHL0jsIVxWMhmBtw47WFtkQDZccWAFAyJQ7ML4qWm%2FGrnOh78BB9pa2pB9jDwY5WXnMFK%2F00ptO2Ih5Y%2BBV87c7Tln%2FY7d0H3LsnGffLg9wm281PHVeJwJSkPkVlwEkjrSChjjCQmubPBjqZAeThS6ah7SGd0KP00KiKA3%2FlTr5Ise%2B1P76u5nGXGsz1duLtYhWMZmH1F15pgn1VOCQcL4oWac1gxf%2BJR%2FYZkv0HjWSy4ijtSkA3hcR5eyMxp9o0uYUdUvnrjBoE%2Fd0ECwtz3nBqK4mjJWbozx%2B7VxSpsBvGUG11yx%2FU19AxAtRWYDqi%2FRl0anNBE0HMm1YLVf3fkYT%2B1bN4Bw%3D%3D&amp;Expires=1777963584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/notepad-plus-plus.org\/news\/npp-trademark-infringement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The developer behind the site, Andrey Letov, a software engineer from New York, built his application based on the open-source Notepad++ code. <\/p>\n<p>While forking open-source software is generally acceptable, branding an independent fork with the original product\u2019s name, logo, and founder\u2019s identity crosses a clear legal and ethical line. <\/p>\n<p>Don Ho acknowledged in a public statement that he has nothing against open-source forking itself, but the issue is the deliberate use of his name and trademark, which creates direct confusion among end users and the press alike. <\/p>\n<p>In the worst case, as Ho himself warned, a product carrying the Notepad++ name could be used to distribute malware or a backdoor to unsuspecting users.<\/p>\n<p>This incident also arrives against a backdrop of Notepad++ already having faced a serious supply chain attack between June and December 2025, where state-sponsored Chinese hackers from the <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/lotus-blossom-hackers-compromised-notepad\/\" id=\"142679\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lotus Blossom<\/a> group compromised the official Notepad++ update infrastructure and delivered a malicious backdoor called Chrysalis to targeted users. <\/p>\n<p>That prior incident makes the community especially sensitive to anything mimicking the Notepad++ brand.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-the-fake-site-could-harm-you\"><strong>How the Fake Site Could Harm You<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The core risk with any unofficial software build marketed under a trusted name is that users have no way to verify what is actually packaged inside the installer. <\/p>\n<p>Threat actors routinely use this technique, known as brand impersonation or typosquatting, to serve malware, infostealers, or remote access trojans under the cover of a well-known application. <\/p>\n<p>In past campaigns, security researchers have documented <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/threat-actors-using-fake-notepad-and-7-zip-websites\/\" id=\"140730\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fake Notepad++<\/a> sites delivering payloads through DLL sideloading methods, where a malicious library file is placed alongside a legitimate binary to silently execute malicious code on the victim\u2019s machine.<\/p>\n<p>When a user downloads an installer from an unverified source, the machine can become compromised without any visible signs, making detection difficult until significant damage is done.<\/p>\n<p>Users should only download Notepad++ or any software from its official website at notepad-plus-plus.org. <\/p>\n<p>Avoid installing applications from third-party domains, even if they appear professional or receive media coverage. Always verify the publisher and check for digital signatures before running any installer. <\/p>\n<p>If you have already downloaded the Mac version from notepad-plus-plus-mac.org, scan your device with a trusted <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/iot-security-tools\/\" id=\"11586\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">security tool<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgb(238,238,238) 92%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%)\"><strong>Follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqMggKIixDQklTR3dnTWFoY0tGV041WW1WeWMyVmpkWEpwZEhsdVpYZHpMbU52YlNnQVAB?hl=en-IN&amp;gl=IN&amp;ceid=IN:en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Google News<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/cybersecurity-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cyber_press_org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">X<\/a>\u00a0to Get More Instant Updates<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Set CSN as a Preferred Source in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=cybersecuritynews.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Google<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/beware-of-fake-notepad-for-mac-website\/\">Beware of Fake \u2018Notepad++ for Mac\u2019 Website, Possibly Could Harm your Machine<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/\">Cyber Security News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    Tushar Subhra Dutta<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecuritynews.com\/beware-of-fake-notepad-for-mac-website\/\">Go to cyber-security-news<\/a><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beware of Fake \u2018Notepad++ for Mac\u2019 Website, Possibly Could Harm your Machine A fake website claiming to offer an official macOS version of the popular text editor Notepad++ has been making rounds online, raising serious cybersecurity concerns across the tech community. The site, operating under the domain notepad-plus-plus-mac.org, falsely presents itself as the official release [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[129,63,649],"tags":[130],"class_list":["post-12621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cyber-security","category-cyber-security-news","category-threats","tag-cyber-security-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12621"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12621\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serisec.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}