a review by Tom Piper
Mac maintenance is more and more important as we see more and more powerful operating systems in support of a wide array of useful software. But, what needs to be maintained, how often should it be done, and which utility programs are best to accomplish it?
MacKeeper from ZeoBIT is an integrated bundle of the most important system utilities for performing different tasks on your Mac. It is like 911 for your Mac since it’s an easy way to manage routine tasks and keep your Mac secured, clean, reliable, fast and attended. It’s functions are easily separated into the following categories:
Security (2 apps): Antivirus protects the Mac from security threats including viruses, identity theft, phishing attacks, passing on viruses to friends, fraud websites, unsafe downloads, threats from external devices, e-mail threats, Mac spyware, and Mac malware. Anti-Theft, if your Mac is ever stolen, will track down its location and make an iSight snapshot of the thief during generation of the report.
Data Control (5 apps): Data Encryptor makes your personal data invisible on the hard drive by using a password so that the data cannot be retrieved through Finder or Terminal . . . just create a password, add files or folders, and click the Hide button. Undelete scans your hard drive for deleted files that can still be recovered, and you can preview all found files using the Quick Look button, then recover those you need with just one click. Backup creates reserve copies of your files and folders using your desired schedule and choice of destination including USB Flash drive, external hard drive, FTP upload, and ZeoDisk. Shredder deletes files or folders without any chance to recover them where you drop the files you want to permanently remove and click the Shred button. ZeoDisk is an online storage to backup and store data, share files with your friends, and sync data between multiple devices on varied platforms including Mac OS, Windows, iOS, Android and Web in any browser.
Cleaning (5 apps): Fast Cleanup is a customizable set of drive clean-up utilities that remove unneeded parts and unused languages from applications, plus system and user log and cache files. Wise Uninstaller completely removes applications, widgets, preference panes, plugins, preferences, caches and logs from your Mac's hard drive. Disk Usage visualizes the size of your folders by scanning and marking them with different colors depending on size Red (1Gb-1TB), Orange (1Mb-1Gb), Yellow (1kB-1Mb), Green (>1kB), White (not scanned), and Gray (scanning) — this is the easiest way to detect large files on your hard drive. Duplicates Finder looks for file copies that take up space on your Mac's hard drive and enables you to remove these duplicates if you don't need them. Files Finder scans your Mac's hard drive for all files of the selected file type and shows only those files for which you've specified the settings (like video, audio, photos, applications, others).
Optimization (3 apps): Update Tracker checks each application installed on your Mac for a new version available so any out-of-date application can be updated by clicking the Update button. Login Items allows you to control automatic startup of selected applications, and thus manage the list of applications that you want to launch upon login. Default Apps allows you to define which application will open each file type by showing the associations between all file extensions and applications that open them; all you do is click the application name next to the file type you want to change and select an appropriate app for it.
Geek on Demand: This service will give professional answers via telephone to all your technical questions. If you describe your problem in detail and schedule a phone call for any suitable time, then during the call, the MacKeeper expert will give answers to all your questions.
You can also call them toll-free with MacKeeper questions, use their online manual for a step-by-step tutorial of how to use it effectively, and access their internet blog for more information and live online chat. They also have a major presence on both Facebook and Twitter.
MacKeeper is a robust utility program with most of the essential maintenance features integrated into one location (see the main window at right). It took a while to get used to having everything within easy reach, not to mention having features that I ordinarily would not even be concerned about. The ability to get help at any time of the day or night by phone online is an unexpected bonus (my call was on hold for quite awhile with nice music, so be prepared for a wait for free advice, or you can leave a number for them to call you back).
With its 16 Mac utilities, MacKeeper is now available for only $38 as downloadable software from http://mackeeper.zeobit.com/ where you can also learn much more about the capabilities. ZeoBit offers a 15-day fully-functional trial with all features available including 24/7 personal support with a money-back guarantee when you buy it. This software could be an important tool in helping to effectively maintain your Mac.
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