PCKeeper

Exaggerated warning messages

Two class action lawsuits have been filed against Kromtech for the Mac OS version of PCKeeper, MacKeeper. The first lawsuit, filed in Illinois, alleges that "Contrary to ZeoBIT's marketing and in-software representations, however, neither the free trial nor the full registered versions of MacKeeper perform any credible diagnostic testing of a user's Mac. Instead, ZeoBIT intentionally designed MacKeeper to invariably and ominously report that the consumer's Mac needs repair and is at-risk due to harmful errors, privacy threats, and other problems, regardless of the computer's actual condition."^[11] The second complaint, filed by Holly Yencha of Pennsylvania, alleges that the free starter version of MacKeeper identifies harmless programs as "critical" problems. The complaint claims that "under MacKeeper's reporting algorithm, even brand new computers are in 'critical' condition and require repair by purchasing the full version." ^[12]

Two reviewers of PCKeeper have noted that PC Keeper also exaggerates warnings: Dedicated 2 to Viruses said "We have reviewed PCKeeper itself and we strongly recommend removing it. Its scan does not show enough easy accessible details about items detection. It detects errors on clean Windows installations and shows exaggerated warnings about their severity."^[13] Ba Tech reported that "Once PCKeeper is started, it will do a fake scan on your computer that will state that there are numerous infections or problems present. It will then prompt you to remove these so-called infections or problems, but will not allow you to do so unless you first purchase the program. Please understand, that PCKeeper is scripted to show you these fake scan results regardless of the computer you are on and how clean it is. Therefore, do not be concerned by any of the scan results as they are only being shown to scare you into thinking that you have a serious problem"^{[14][unreliable source?]}

PCKeeper Live is sometimes installed on users' PCs with other partner programs, which can cause unwanted pop-up windows.

PCKeeper Live

PCKeeper Live offers 13 different PC services in 4 categories: Human Assistance (Find & Fix, Geek on Demand, Live Support), Security (Anti-Theft, Data Hider, Shredder, Files Recovery), Cleaning (Disk Cleaner, Disk Explorer, Duplicates Finder, Uninstaller) and Optimization (Context Menu Manager, Startup Manager).

Popup ads

PCKeeper is sometimes advertised with pop up ads. Many of their pop up ads occur on pornography websites.

Reviews

PCKeeper Live is rated "Good" (3.5 out of 5) by the PCMag editor, stating "improves PC performance", and "great for novice users" , "The utility won't clean your PC as well as Iolo System Mechanic, but considering its accessibility and wallet friendliness, it's one to check out" and "Kromtech PCKeeper Live's human specialists and unique price plans make this tune-up utility worthy of consideration, but rival applications offer better PC improvement".

Techradar.pro rates its 3 out of 5 stars and that noted, that "Overall, PCKeeper is a light-weight tool that won't annoy you with pop-up windows", "When you consider the fact most of PCKeeper Live's optimization features are easily found on most free tools, and that some were simply not useful at all, the price for the Kromtech solution seems unreasonably high." and "Kromtech's 24/7 support is what elevates PCKeeper Live from an overpriced utility program to a tool that even a non-geek can use to optimize his/her computer."

PCKeeper was reviewed by a wide range of tech experts. It was reviewed in Turkish", French", Portuguese", Spanish", German". Review at PCMag thus described PCKeeper Live: "Improves PC performance. Multiple price points. Advice from Microsoft-certified computer specialists. Anti-theft technology". It gained 3,5 out of 5 points."

PCKeeper Antivirus

PCKeeper Antivirus integrates the Avira's Secure Anti-Virus API (SAVAPI), the official interface for Avira’s anti-malware scanning engine. PCKeeper Antivirus does not block malware-hosting URL's or phishing URL's. According to Virus Bulletin, PCKeeper Antivirus PRO has scored 96.1% in RAP tests and set a stability level at Stable. PCKeeper Antivirus got a VB100 award. PCKeeper Antivirus (version 1.x) received 2 OPSWAT Gold Certifications in the Antispyware and Antivirus categories.

The German organization AV-Test.org tested 25 anti-virus programs. The testers found that AhnLab, Microsoft Windows Defender and PCKeeper Antivirus were the lowest performing anti-virus applications for Windows 8.1.

Reviews

PCMag rated PCKeeper Antivirus Good (3 out of 5), noting that PCKeeper Antivirus has a "Streamlined, attractive interface. Easy to use for non-techies. Good score in our hands-on malware blocking testing". However, it scored poorly in independent lab testing and the chat based support was "soured by the fact that they served me misinformation." PC Mag concluded "you'd be better off with Panda Free Antivirus 2015, an Editors' Choice for free antivirus. It slightly edged PCKeeper in my own tests and swept the field in lab tests, with high marks across the board. For the same price as PCKeeper, you could have Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2015 or Kaspersky Anti-Virus (2015), both of which we named Editors' Choice for paid antivirus. Any of these is a better choice."

Social campaigns

In May 2013 PCKeeper let its customers decide how much to pay for the software, launching a pay what you want campaign.