A fraudulent website claiming to provide an official macOS version of the popular text editor Notepad++ has raised significant concerns within the tech community. This site, hosted at notepad-plus-plus-mac.org, misleads users by pretending to be an official source for Notepad++ on Apple devices.
Deceptive Claims Raise Red Flags
The fraudulent website has managed to deceive even reputable tech media outlets like MacRumors and AlternativeTo into reporting it as a legitimate launch. Notepad++ has been exclusive to Windows for over twenty years, and its creator, Don Ho, has never released a version for macOS. Despite this, the site falsely claims a native macOS version is available without emulation, purportedly for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Adding to the deception, the site uses Don Ho’s name and biography without permission to create a false sense of legitimacy. Ho has attempted to contact the site owner to resolve this trademark infringement, but as of May 5, 2026, he has not received any response.
Community Reactions and Concerns
International Cyber Digest was among the first to highlight the issue, noting the unauthorized use of the Notepad++ trademark and Ho’s identity. Their alert quickly gained attention, gathering nearly 40,000 views. Members of the X community notes also clarified that the site is an unofficial port and has no connection to the original Notepad++ team.
The developer behind the fake site, Andrey Letov, from New York, created an application using the open-source Notepad++ code. While creating forks of open-source software is common, using the original product’s branding and identity crosses legal and ethical boundaries. Don Ho has stated that while he supports open-source forking, the misuse of his name and trademark causes confusion.
Potential Risks and Safety Measures
The primary danger of downloading software from unofficial sources is the potential for hidden malicious content. Cybercriminals often use brand impersonation to distribute malware under the guise of trusted applications. In the past, fake Notepad++ sites have been known to deliver harmful payloads using methods like DLL sideloading.
To avoid falling victim to such schemes, users should download Notepad++ only from its official site at notepad-plus-plus.org. Always verify the source and digital signatures when installing new software. If you’ve already downloaded the Mac version from the fake site, it is advisable to scan your device with a reliable security tool immediately.
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