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For those of you already familiar with Iolo and its products, you may remember the Iolo Phoenix 360, which is essentially Iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense under a new name. This tool is an all-in-one maintenance and security suite – with a plethora of features and new additions to boot. Since its old days (as Iolo Phoenix 360) it has new user interface, which makes it consistent with Iolo’s other applications, plus additional tools, for your daily computer use.
System Mechanic differs from other iterations of this tool, in that it’s designed to provide security as well as maintenance – Which was the hallmark of those that came before it.
In addition to its main maintenance feature, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense comes with a password manager, antivirus scanner, spyware protection, drive wiper, and file recovery and malware protection.
Features of Iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense
Iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense is a fully-fledged maintenance and security suite with the features to prove it. Below are the features you are given access to, the moment you download and install it:
 | System Mechanic: It finds and repairs Windows faults, improving overall system stability and performance. |
| Privacy Guardian: It provides real-time web scanning and protection. Protecting the end user from browser hijackers and spammers. |
| ByePass: This is the secure password manager that provides added security when making online purchases. |
| Malware Killer: It detects and removes malware from your system. |
| Antivirus: Like Malware Killer, only its focus is on viruses. |
| Search and Recover: Allows the end user to search and recover previously deleted files. |
| Drive Scrubber: A drive wiping tool that allows you to completely erase all contents of a hard drive. |
Continuing on, let’s take a closer look at these different features, examining their qualities and practicality for the average computer use.
 System Mechanic Ultimate Defense is a All-In-One, competent and efficient maintenance and security tool. For access to this tool, click the link below: |
Privacy & Security
Privacy Guardian uses a technique called digital fingerprinting protection, to protect your privacy while online. Essentially, it works by blocking tracking programs that allows advertisers and hackers to track your movement around the internet.
Browsers such as Firefox already come with their own iteration of anti-fingerprinting as standard, but it’s not common across all platforms. So it has its uses, especially on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Privacy Guardian is also capable of blocking cookies, which are used for several purposes, including remembering passwords and tracking. However, it is possible for you to whitelist specific websites, so that you can visit them, without any issues – as some websites use cookies for login purposes.
It also has a private search feature via DuckDuckGo. This allows you to search the internet privately, or anonymously, if you will. That said, you can take it a step further, and add DuckDuckGo to your browser, so that you can search the internet privately, at all times.
In hindsight, Privacy Guardian was one tool that I found to be a little intrusive. In that it blocked access to websites that I regularly visited. This meant I had no option but to manually whitelist those sites, or just disable the feature altogether.
ByePass is the password management tool, available for Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari. You will need to install a separate plugin for it, on your preferred platform. But it shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.
It operates like your typical password manager program, storing your login details, aiding you when creating passwords, etc. That said, two-factor authentication does mean that such tools are no longer as effective or as much as a requirement, as they were in the past.
Malware & Virus Protection
Malware Killer, which, in actuality is one of the newer additions to System Mechanic, comes with a wide range of features. Allowing you to control how identified threats are tackled, review past scans and set exclusions. In my tests, I found it to be particularly efficient, although it did cause my system to lag. However, I don’t have the fastest system in the world, so it can be forgiven in that respect.
Antivirus, as it’s called in the System Mechanic UI, is very simple to get to grips with. You can run a full system scan, target a specific folder or scan a specific file. It uses all of the typical technology you’d expect from a respectable antivirus scanner. With scan time varying, depending on what you choose.
You also get the drive scrubber and file recovery tools, which are simple and easy to use. Not much options there, but can come in handy, depending on the circumstances. There’s nothing magical about these tools. They both work as described, but what really makes System Mechanic such a handy suite is the sum of its parts.
The process of using each tool does vary somewhat, and will likely require some patience on your part. There are a lot of features and settings information for you to configure. At least, during initial setup.
When you install and run the tool for the first time, it defaults to System Mechanic, which presents you with a Scan button, followed by a Repair all, once it has finished analysing your system. You can choose to examine each individual fix, or just click on the repair button and watch it do its thing.
System Mechanic / PC Optimisation
If you’re already familiar with Iolo System Mechanic, then you should have little difficulty getting to grips with all the different options. System Mechanic presents itself as an optimisation suite, first and foremost, prompting you to scan your system for any Windows junk files, invalid registry entries and more.
The Analyze button will run a full analysis of your system, to identify key areas of your operating system that require fixes. These are, as I previously touched on, the registry, system files, internet files etc.
System Mechanic provides you with enough information to determine exactly what the program is doing to your system, before a scan and after a fix. This is very important, especially for the more experienced, advanced users, as there may be a deliberate setting that you do not want altered. System Mechanic also offers suggestions for increased optimisation, which I felt was an interesting touch.
If you’re a beginner to intermediate user, System Mechanic has you covered, as everything is clearly marked. Just click where indicated and it will scan and repair problems it’s identified on your computer.
Setup & Support
System Mechanic does have its angst, for one, its manual interface can be quite confusing, at least at first glance. The colour palette consists of really, only two colours, however it does have support for multiple languages. So if you’re not a native English speaker, this program will likely have you covered.
The main setup is relatively simple, however, the additional submenus do make things complex, especially for the beginner. Virtually every aspect of every tool can be altered. Support is only two clicks away, and should be easily identifiable, for most users. Iolo offers live support chat, which is quick, efficient and convenient.
I found the team to be very responsive and proactive. The tool is extensive, so I imagine many users would consult the help guides, at least once or twice.
Pros of System Mechanic
 | Extensive array of tools |
| Thorough virus and malware scanner |
| Digital fingerprinting protection |
| System optimisation |
Cons of System Mechanic
 | UI colour scheme |
| Complex submenus |
Conclusion
System Mechanic Ultimate Defense is a complete maintenance and security program that left a healthy impression on me. It comes jam-packed with all the essentials, such as real-time scanning, system optimisation, firewall and malware scanner. But mixes it up with tools that you may not immediately find useful, such as a file recovery tool and drive wiper program.
I think this suite appeals most to people who are looking for an all-in-one solution. Something that covers ALL their security and maintenance needs. So it’s definitely worth exploring. If you’re new to computers, then suites are definitely your best option, and you can’t go wrong with System Mechanic.
System Mechanic Ultimate Defense is a All-In-One, competent and efficient maintenance and security tool. For access to this tool, click the link below: |
| Review Overview | |
| Features |  |
| Ease of Use |  |
| Installation |  |
| Customer Support | |
| If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution to ease your security and maintenance woes, you can’t go wrong here. |
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