Page 2 - Advanced SystemCare Free Review: Computer Security Articles at BrightHub.com

Performance and Usage
Rating

Advanced SystemCare program update required me to reboot the system and when I did, the test computer suddenly slowed in loading the startup items. Prior installing the program, I have Outpost Firewall, NOD32 Antivirus, WinPatrol, KeyScrambler Pro, Dell Dock and OneNote on the startup folder. 4 of the startup items did not display their notification icons: NOD32, WinPatrol Plus, KeyScrambler Pro and OneNote. I restarted the system again but the same incident occurred. Those 4 startup items are now in the "Past startup items "

I allowed Advanced SystemCare to scan the system and it detected that my IE is not immunized against bad ActiveX components and tracking cookies. It also detected that there are running Windows Services that should not be running. I do not think it’s best for any system utilities to suggest disabling any Windows Services that can cause Windows not to function properly.

I noticed that there is Startup Manager in Advanced SystemCare and when I try to check the online database for the startup items, it opened a browser to display the database result from sysinfo.org .

The options of Advanced SystemCare is lacking the setting for the Spyware scanner (what to do if a spyware is found, disable scanning for spyware etc).

While I’m navigating with the program, Advanced SystemCare informed me that a Hijack log report was ready to be submitted to Iobit server. I’m surprised that it will send a report or it created a Hijack or System log without my knowledge or permission. There is no option to not to send the report to iobit server unless I will block the connection using my firewall or if I will disconnect my internet connection but since I’m doing this test, I clicked OK. Sure enough, it connected to Iobit server and opened IE browser with information of my Hijack log. This analysis of Advanced SystemCare's security analyzer is not recommended to follow. Advanced SystemCare has the option to handle Hijack Log and I’m afraid many beginners will fall into this type of wrong suggestion to fix a computer based on a wrong or incomplete analysis by Iobit.

Price to Value
Rating

Advanced SystemCare is free. The Pro edition cost $29.95 (offer price at the time of this review $19.95) 1-year license for 1 PC. I wouldn't recommend either version.

Conclusion

Advanced SystemCare does not live up to its name and could, if used incautiously, cause more problems than it would fix. The automatic tasks that it performs are unacceptable because the program does not request permission from the user. The poor startup performance of the system is another point to note and to the program's suggestion that NOD32, WinPatrol and Outpost processes are questionable is another unacceptable aspect of Advanced SystemCare. Users who want this kind of system utlility would be well advised to look elsewhere.

More Reviews!

Would you like to read more reviews? Look around Bright Hub and you’ll find reviews of numerous other leading security solutions including ioSafe External Hard Drive, jv16 PowerTools, CCleaner, Comodo System Cleaner, Norton Internet Security , Kaspersky Internet Security, ESET Smart Security, McAfee Total Protection, Blink Professional and ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite.

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17 Comments

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Nov 18, 2009 6:22 PM

Dennis

Questionable

Advance Sysem Care works well until you update to 4.xx. That is when problems pop up. Each boot will now give you an update box on the screen even if you are updated. You have to "X" it off to work further with your PC. A customer of mine began to have PC shut off problems for having it on the PC. After removal, everything ran normal.
If using, do not update until IOBIT corrects their problems.

Oct 27, 2009 1:12 PM

Brian

Just to let you know

I like to test new products so I will try it only because it came in a U.K computer magazine I bought and the full program is free. I just wanted to let people know that when you install a program and they try to bundle software)say a yahoo toolbar and default page) un-check all of the buttons even if it says accept licence agreement (whatever bundled add on) and install, and hit next without anything checked. every program will still install. It may sound stupid to some, but my dad and others have not installed software(some paid for) because they thought they had to except the toolbar or whatever with the license agreement, hope it helps someone.

Oct 20, 2009 1:55 PM

Joe

it's not perfect

It's true there are some problems in the beginning if you still don't know how to use it, but once you use it many times and change some of the settings it is a very reliable product. Just disable the updates and don't install the add-ons if you have problems with them and you'll be fine.

Oct 5, 2009 3:36 AM

Donna Buenaventura

Removing Advanced SystemCare

Guys,
If you have problem removing Advanced SystemCare, please try Revo: http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/reviews/31499.aspx in removing it.

Oct 5, 2009 2:02 AM

Steve

ASC problems

Like John, I can't uninstall the program, and it no longer functions...cannot install newer copy as it recommends...help!

Sep 10, 2009 2:59 PM

Anthony

What a find - and free too!

My computer operates under the Windows 2000 Professional operating system and previously, I had a "suite" of protection that expired and I finally removed. I had my bank information hijacked and decided that I'd better defend the computer. I installed a firewall, virus protection, spyware protection, keyscrambler and other things. I downloaded the Advanced SystemCare and it found and fixed a multitude of items that worked perfectly. The scan found an Infostealer.Bzup, 2 - Backdoor.Trojan infestations, Trojan-clincher.Win32.VBiJ, and 2 - Data Miners and removed them all. My other scanners had no clue that they were even there. It was fast, extremely easy and painless. I would recommend this application/utility to everyone I know.

Sep 5, 2009 3:15 PM

richard

works great for me

I have used ASC for over a year and absolutely no troubles with it. I like its speed of operation

Sep 1, 2009 10:51 PM

Pamela

mixed results

I had mixed results. I did not have many of the issues mentioned in this review. Perhaps this is because I did not install the Yahoo tool bar. However I did install the game booster add on which after running gave me a blue screen while playing one of my games. I had to restore my system to do fix. Also I loaded the software informer add on. It told me a had all kinds of outdated software but when I looked at the verisons on the actually software itself it was the current version. Also at some point my driver for my touch pad got messed up. And I had to reinstall the entire driver. So far all the other components have worked well. My computer is running a little smother.

Aug 5, 2009 2:49 PM

L Ruppert

Great program

I love Advanced System Care. It has performs flawlessly for me (on several computers) and the utilities are a nice extra. However, it would be prudent to read about problems a few have had, and to pay attention during the download and installation.

Jul 29, 2009 5:39 PM

martin g

advanced system care

It got my old Dell XP running like new & cleared out all the crap! So I am a 100% fan.
It's in my Freeware top 10.
If you don't want Yahoo Home page or toolbar
simple, just say no during installation.
Most reviews for asc. either 100% pro or 100% anti
Perhaps there are problems with particular
operating systems? & I hope some "bright spark" will explain the problems that a few seem to have with this product.