IObit
Reviews and Complaints

Here is the email I just sent the company. I purchased their so called Advanced System Care for $30 and got an activation key only to have it come up invalid:

I have had it with you people. If I do not get a working licence key for Advanced System Repair Pro that I purchased today by 9 AM in the morning I am reporting you to the better business bureau and the FBI cyber crimes division. I had best see a remarkable increase or improvement in my computer's performance or I will again report you to the BBB and FBI Cyber Crimes Unit. I got on the phone with a rep today who tried to con me out of $250 for additional support. I was horrified. Keep trying me ... keep on and I will get my litigator brother involved.

Tried free version. Seemed to help speed up my computer so paid for Pro version. Unable to run certain programs now. Cannot figure out how to "whitelist" the programs. Online info useless. > 1 h 20 min on the "24/7 telephone support"- nothing. Have left online support request.

Not impressed.

Looks like wasted money. If can't resolve soon will need to remove program and try something else.

And for those commenters here who are blaming the customers for not "knowing" what to do and what not to do. Bull pucky. Bad programming is bad programming. Poor customer service is poor customer service. Poor website design is... well you get the idea. Not all of us are as brilliant as you are.

I purchased Advanced Systen Care PRO. When I could not install the program following their instructions I called [protected]. The rep.( Jeremy) said he needed to take control of my computer to install PRO. Once in control he said I had serious problems and I needed to buy a program for well over $100.00, BEFORE PRO could be installed. He was very high pressure then switched me to his supervisor (Francis). After saying no numerous tmes I disconnected the call. At this time I notice they still had control of my computer and were opening drop down lists of my accounts, opening appts. and web sites. The worst was a porn site called"mypron". Since they had control of my cursor I could not shut down the computer. After numerous attempts and using my touch screen feature I was able to turn the computer off. I have contacted IObit using their web site, requested a refund and detailed what happened and requested a response from someone in authority. Todate all I get is emails asking me to activate PRO. My call to IObit took place on Feb. 10, 2017

I believe “IObit” products are a scam. i.e. Advanced system care 8, Malware Fighter 3, Driver booster2, and the rest of their products.

I had problems with their products not performing as they were promoted. I went to their website forum and asked questions about the problem. When I did not get a useful answer, I started researching the product and company.

After several days and a great deal of investigation, I found a number of complains about the company and its practices. Additionally, I found that they were hiding the fact that they were owned by the Chinese Government.

I posted my concerns on their site asking them to explain and found that they removed my post, banned me from their site, and refuse all attempts from me to contact them. This smacks of Ill will, and I believe it is a sure sign that my research is correct in that this company is masquerading as a real service provider when it is something to the contrary. I believe that they are stealing consumer information, and using our PCs for illegal purposes.

I am hoping that I am wrong, but in the mean time, I believe the public should be advised that this company is not acting with integrity. Additionally, I believe they pose a major threat to all users of the internet.

In one post, I asked why they were hiding the fact that they were a Chinese owned company, their reply said that I was wrong, that they were not owned by China. I sent them another post with the proof that they were indeed owned by China.

Here is a copy of my last post to Cicely, their forum administrator:
******************
Cicely,
Nothing in my post about the ownership was incorrect! Why do you deny facts that are verifiable by all most anyone if they just take the time to research? When I first bought “IObit” products I thought they were a California owned and operated business. (which they may have been at one time.) But currently I could find no government license issuance for any of the names as*ociated with IObit listed anywhere in the state of California.

IObit is indeed owned by a Chinese Corporation. It operates under “GET Holdings Limited.” The company formerly known as "M Dream Inworld Limited" changed its name to "GET Holdings Limited" in November 2014.

The “Apperience Corporation” originally incorporated as a Cayman Islands Corporation, was the original listed owner of the US Trademark of IObit. However, the Apperience Corporation and its trademarked products IObit and Bluespring were purchased by M Dream Inworld Limited in 2013.
http://www.geth.com.hk/publicsite/website/en/announcement/GLN20130807063.pdf

The current “Get Holdings LLC” traded on the Hong Kong stock exchange is made up of dozens, of other companies. Many, that I found with direct ties to government offices in the People's Republic of China (PRC)

Many of the same names of stockholders and directors appear in the multiple companies, owned directly, or operated by people with direct ties to PRC. One should note that, in spite of the creation of a complex investment vehicle called a “variable interest entity” all companies within the PRC are owned and or controlled by the government and no foreign ownership is permitted by national law. Add to that mix China’s hunger for the 1999 repatriation of Hong Kong (which is well documented) as a resolution to their need for access to the world money markets through the HKEx Group and I think there is cause for concern, the HKEx itself is owned by China.

There are far too many ties to list in this forum. However; here is just one excerpt, from just one of the old documents listed in the companies archives, making up the current “Get Holdings”:

“A company controlled by a former, a the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary,
廣泰益昌 （北京）科技有限公司(“Guang Tai Yichang (Beijing) Technology Co.,
Ltd.”), entered into a framework agreement with 鴻源控股有限公司
(“Greatsource Holding Co., Ltd.”), a PRC company which is controlled by Ms. Li Fang Hong, a former Executive Director and former substantial shareholder of the Company,
and her as*ociate(s)”

The above is just one of many from official Company records. IObit is Chinese owned The Get Holding Limit Company's website shows “IObit” as belonging to them.
http://www.geth.com.hk/publicsite/website/en/product.aspx

Below is the Official information listed by the GEM, (the Hong Kong, Stock Exchange reporting entity)

“GET Holdings Limited”, an investment holding company, engages in the research, development, and distribution of personal computer performance software, anti-virus software, mobile phone applications, and toolbar advertisements in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, Russia, Japan, and internationally. The company also offers Website development services, and e-learning products and services; and insurance and mandatory provident fund schemes brokerage services, as well as is involved in the securities investment and money lending businesses. In addition, it engages in the provision of corporate management solutions and information technology contract services; and network infrastructure solutions and network professional services, as well as in the re-sale of hardware and software. The company was formerly known as M Dream Inworld Limited and changed its name to GET Holdings Limited in November 2014. GET Holdings Limited was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Wanchai, Hong Kong.

As to whither IObit software allows or installs spyware and other computer bugs, I am not an expert in computers, so I cannot state with impunity that IObit products carry and install these spyware and other malicious software.

However, there is an old American saying “If there is smoke, there is fire.” With that in mind, there are plenty of articles listing claims and reports of computer attacks from the Chinese Government; in fact, The PRC does not deny that these kinds of attacks are part of their (supposed) defense plans. Taking into account all the recent adverse reporting about the origins of the world’s spyware, malware, computer break-ins, and viruses, it only seems prudent to me to discontinue using a product that I no long feel is safe to use.

I will acknowledge that not every complaint, negative report, or editorial on the internet should be taken as gospel imparted from a burning bush. Nonetheless, I was unaware of how much negativity was posted about “IObit” and its sister products. There are seemingly thousands of complaints and warnings that I had not seen before my research over these last few days.

Here is just a few examples:
https://shanegowland.com/tech/2012/iobit-is-a-s*cky-company/ (note word filter band, *=u)
https://shanegowland.com/tech/2012/iobit-is-distributing-malware-again/
https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?/topic/33217-iobit-theft-conclusion/

Here is a very recent “YouTube” link from one of the latest test of the current version of MF3, The tester did a very detailed and lengthy test (36 plus minutes of review, demonstrations, and tests) in the end MF3 did very poorly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7MQR0_lrow

Now tell me, why I should trust IObit? Please, I really want to! Because I like the one stop does it all component of your product.
**************
After the above post, without any explanation, or other notice, they removed all my posts, banned me from their site, and stopped, and refuse all other communications attempts. I believe that a legitimate company would not refuse to even talk to a customer, or hide their true identity.

I am doing more research on this company to see, if in fact, the reports attributed to this company of already proven malware scams on the internet are true.

If you have any relevant information, please share it with me, I am trying to comply definitive information to support a complaint with state and federal agencies that may have jurisdiction over this issue.

In 2010 i purchase Advanced System Care version 3 and have opt out of their auto renew after i downloaded their software. I have a habit of doing so after previous bad experiences so i am very sure i did log into my iobit account and untick the auto renew option. In year 2011 they release a version 4 and i am not make to pay or auto renew it. Recently i check my alt email ( which i have created for gaming account and have actually attached my iobit account to) and found out i was charged USD$19.90 for their new version which i did not purchase. Upon checking i found out that this company have actually charge me for version 5 in 2012 too without my consent. I decide to give up on 2012 version 5 deduction but request for a refund of $19.90 for 2013 version 6. I have not download or use any of the keys for version 5 and 6. In fact i have even removed their version 3 many years ago as i do not enjoy using it.

I email the customer service and request for a refund but instead i am given the guides to install the version 6 and was told i have opt for auto renew thus there is this deduction. I am very very sure i did opt out of the auto renew 2years ago thus i was not charge for version 4. In fact if i am already on your company auto renew then why i am not make to pay for version 4 in 2011?

Sincerely hope this company refund me my USD$19.90 for version 6, you guys already profited from my version 5 when i did not realise the deduction made back then. Also profited from version 3 which i have opt to buy after i tried the free version in 2010. Software isn't something physical that requires raw material and there are free version of ASC for public to use, so making a refund for something i have opt not to buy 2-3years ago is fair to me.

My order reference number [protected].

I ordered software from iobit avangate. They received $12.38 from my Mastercard and I have not received any merchandise nor even notice of when I maybe getting product.

A charge of £68.98 has been made to my credit card dated 21 November 2010 with the description "Http://Asknet-Shops.Co, Anda Security"
I have never heard of this company let alone dealt with it and the item has been disputed through the credit card company. I do have security software with a similar name but I deal direct with the company involved & have not yet updated the software for the new version. This comment will be forwarded to the company concerned.