IO- Bit - what is your opinion when you find it installed?

[joydivision]

I have a machine on the bench with this IO Bit suit installed. It was full of viruses and malware, but IO-bit is installed. I know a few years ago there was a big kick off as they appeared to be using what was stolen Malware Bytes definition files. I see it has won some awards but I don't feel comfortable with it, for example my clients Malware Fighter program is suggesting he downloads a youtube converter.

So would you remove it even though it is supposed to be security software? I can't find any evidence on google to suggest it is harmful.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Even though technically it's "safe" software.....I don't like any "all in one system utilities" type software. .....so I remove it whenever I see it.

 

[Highlander]

We always remove it. The program has / had a program called Spigot which installed along side to deliver ads etc.

http://www.spigot.com/

 

[Larry Sabo]

+1. I wish there were a more socially acceptable term than "crapware," because that's what I tell my customer it is. Riskware, adware, malware don't fit as well as crapware for many programs like this.

 

[Porthos]

I remove it because

The company behind this product was found to be stealing our database.
Personally I would not trust installing any software from a company that resorts to stealing someone's technology to sell their product.
Please see the following links and make up your own mind if you want to keep this on your system. If needed I can help you remove it.

• IOBit Steals Malwarebytes' Intellectual Property
• IOBit's Denial of Theft Unconvincing
• IOBit Theft Conclusion
• IObit: Trusting Your Antivirus Vendor
• Malwarebytes: IObit Stole Our Signatures Database
• IObit accused of stealing from Malwarebytes
• IOBit sucks at ethics
• Beware: IObit Malware Fighter

 

[TechPJC]

Apart from what happened with the Malwarebytes' database,
Malware Fighter has failed to protect the ones who use it.
Whenever I find Malware Fighter, I throw it away...

However, I've seen many users running IObit products
like Smart Defrag or Advanced SystemCare Free.

 

[JustInspired]

I've seen many users still running IObit products
like Smart Defrag or Advanced SystemCare.

These are products for system maintenance
(e.g. Defragmentation, File & Registry Cleaning etc.)

^^ Us too.

Normally remove the Advanced System Care from most systems as in most cases the end user 'accidentally' installed it.

I have been known to use the IObit Uninstaller (portable) on x64 programs that Revo Free can't see or remove.

 

[mrapoc]

Junk. It goes

 

[Krynn72]

+1. I wish there were a more socially acceptable term than "crapware," because that's what I tell my customer it is. Riskware, adware, malware don't fit as well as crapware for many programs like this.

Junkware or bloatware is how I usually refer to it.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Thanks, those are good. I'll try to remember to use them in the future.

 

[ArtemusComputerTechnology]

I also remove the software because it loads up too many ads. IObit has other decent software such as the portable computer tune up and smart defrag which i normally use.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The IO uninstaller is the only program from them I trust. It is snakeoilware in my opinion. Legitimate software, not virus or malware, but of dubious quality.

Liquid Plumber will unclog your drain but a real plumber will do a better job. Same concept.