McAfee Total Protection 2008 - 3 User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The McAfee suite worked reasonably well under Win XP but I had difficulties with it under Vista. Ended up switching to OneCare...
My main issue with McAfee is that the service comes with an auto-renewal feature. They will charge your credit card on the subscription's anniversary. Fair enough...
However, I wanted to cancel it as I no longer use the software. To my surprise, you can't just go to the web site, click on a "cancel" link and be done. They actually force you to contact customer service (phone, chat, email) and then take you through a long process (15min in my case) of getting through it. They first put you in a queue, then verify your details multiple times, then, after you make it clear that you want to cancel the service and receive a refund, the conversation goes like this:Me: Please cancel my service and issue a refund (the 4th time I asked...)
McAfee: why?
Me: I just noticed an auto renewal charge and I don't want the service
McAfee: OK, we will terminate the auto renewal
Me: What? I don't want to terminate future auto-renwals, I want to cancel the one from last week and get a refund...
McAfee: may we ask why?
Me: please cancel and issue a refund...
McAfee: OK...It is obvious that McAfee has all the intentions to make cancellations as difficult as possible. The 10%-20% of people who'd rather not spend the time dealing with it are pure profit. However, the rest of us consumers should not reward such practice.


Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee Total Protection 2008 - 3 User

10 in 1 Protection - complete online and PC security / Fight viruses and more / Provides 1 Year coverage + Updates / For up to 3 users and computers Blocks hackers from attacking your Wi-Fi wireless network and stealing your personal information, so you can safely connect Backs Up and Restores your photos, music and important files Safeguards your identity and online experience so you can surf the Web, shop, bank, e-mail and instant message safely Keeps your PC healthy and secure. Intercepts prohibited Web sites, unwanted activity and offensive pictures to keep your family safe Blocks hackers from attacking your wireless network, safeguarding your personal information and transactions.Automates file and printer sharing among trusted friends and family Protects Children Online - Filters offensive content, pictures, and Web sites so you can keep your children safe when online Simplifies security with improved McAfee SecurityCenter Warns you about sites which send spam, install adware, or attempt online scams Shields your PC around the clock -always on, always updating, always protecting Prevents spam and phishing scams so you can e-mail with friends and family safely 24/7 virus and threat protection from McAfee AVERT Labs continuously monitors worldwide virus activities and provides immediate anti-virus protection and removal solutions Provides advance warning to help you avoid sites which send spam, install adware, or attempt online scams Daily updates are installed automatically. When a new version of McAfee is available, you get it automatically at no charge during your subscription, ensuring that you always have up-to-date protection for up to 1-Year after installation Support from McAfee's computer security experts, via Internet chat, e-mail and phone

Get 98% OFF

Click here for more information about McAfee Total Protection 2008 - 3 User

Read More...

McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009 3-User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Unethical billing for online purchases -- BEWARE!
Let me say right up front if you DO NOT USE the online download and payment process which McAfee offers, then you should not be subjected to their unethical practices (unless/until you renew online.)
I've used McAfee for several years now, and the product, once paid for and installed, in my experience, has been fine. Yes, it gets annoying at times, with its checks and confirmations, but that's what we want: software to protect us, and that comes with some caveats.
But McAfee has finally LOST me as a customer, with their insidious and unethical billing practices. These practices are so awful that the product absolutely deserves zero stars, regardless of its functionality.
My 1-year subscription to VirusScan ended a few days ago. This was a 3-user subscription, which I had obtained for free from a financial services company with whom I do business. It was a one-time deal, so now I need to pay to renew. This was my experience:
First, the renewal price was discounted through the financial services company, to around forty bucks, which was less than I saw online elsewhere. I proceeded to pay with PayPal. Just BEFORE I pressed the "return to McAfee" button, Paypal told me that I could review the "billing agreement" (what billing agreement?) by logging back into Paypal, going to "Profile," and kicking "Pay List" (what Pay List?) I did so, and found that McAfee, WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, AND WITHOUT MY PERMISSION had set up an automatic billing allowance on my PayPal account for one hundred twenty dollars per month! Here is the exact text: "Billing Limit: $119.97 USD (per month)" Needless to say, I immediately canceled that authorization, before "returning to McAfee." McAfee of course complained that there was an "error," but I simply proceeded to pay with credit card.
That's when I saw the very small type, in GRAY (hard-to-read) coloring, saying that my credit card would be billed automatically, upon expiration of the license, at the full renewal rate at that time.
That's enough, McAfee! You stop these unethical billing practices right now! You've lost another customer, and hopefully many more with this review.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009 3-User

MFE09 VSCAN PLUS 3USER

Get 93% OFF

Click here for more information about McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009 3-User

Read More...

McAfee Internet Security 2009 1-User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I tried the previous version which I considered average, Internet Security 2009 seems to be improved in a number of areas,
Installation was trouble free. McAfee gives you the choice of installing the version on your CD or downloading the most current version. This is a sensible approach, I think. I chose the download it sent smoothly. Even with the downloading, the install went pretty quickly.
For my testing, I installed it on a system running Windows XP SP2 Media Center, having first uninstalled the free Comodo anti-virus and firewall applications running on the machine.
I could not complete the registration/activation process because McAfee's server did not respond. Thus, I was unable to learn if McAfee still forces you to give them a credit card number for automatic renewal of your anti-virus subscription. You weren't able to cancel this forced transaction online: you had to call McAfee. A poor way to do business in my opinion.
McAfee may have changed this policy somewhat. In combing through their Customer Support area, I learned that it may only be online purchasers who get nailed this way.
The problem with an ordinary person testing ant-virus programs is that unlike a formal lab, they may not have a bunch of viruses and malware lurking in their machines. I can tell you that the anti-virus scanning speed appears to be high and doesn't over burden the CPU, which is nice when compared with some other programs, like Norton's.
The Help file will leave most users pretty much in the dark with its brusque explanations. For example, an inexperienced user wanting to change the firewall settings for some reason may quickly be reduced to pulling their hair out.
McAfee, to its credit, does an excellent job of identifying the applications on your machine and setting the right firewall permissions for them. I don't know how it will do when you add new programs to your system.
McAfee has put a lot of features into Internet Security 2009 at a very reasonable price for three users. Some of them, such as the file shredder and file cleaner, aren't mentioned on the box. Neither is the back up program or the network manager. I didn't try any of these features.
Overall, I think Internet Security 2009 is an improved product over last year's version. It seems to execute faster and hog fewer system resources. Happily the number of inrusive pop-ups seems to have been substantialy reduced. For the money, it seems to be a good, solid product.
Jerry


Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee Internet Security 2009 1-User

Comprehensive Easy to Use PC and Online Protectionwith Powerful Web Site Safety AdvisorProduct InformationMcAfee Internet Security 2009 is simple to use - the security works in thebackground and lets you focus on things you want to do. It providescontinuous and automatic updates that protect you from ever-evolving onlinethreats. The McAfee Security Center provides an easy-to-read securitystatus screen and puts you in control with fully customizable options. Website ratings warns you about risky Web sites with red yellow and green safetyratings. The anti-phishing protection helps protect you against identitytheft through proactive notification. McAfee Internet Security includesSiteAdvisor for a safe searching and shopping experience.Key BenefitsFaster and Easier to UsePerform quicker more powerful easy-to-run scans to ensure thorough malwaredetection on your PC.Protection Without InterferenceMcAfee 2009 detects when you're in full-screen mode and postpones securityalerts or notices. So you can work play or watch movies without interruption.Powerful and Reliable ProtectionEnhanced to deliver the most comprehensive protection against theever-growing spectrum of viruses spyware and other dangerous onlinethreats.Unique AdvantagesAnti-virusAnti-spywareAnti-spamAnti-phishingTwo-way FirewallWeb Site Safety RatingsIdentity ProtectionParental ControlsData BackupProduct FeaturesFast Anti-Virus and Anti-spyware Protection: Detects blocks and removes viruses spyware adware and rootkits.New QuickScan: Lets you check for threats in the most commonly infected areas on the computer in less than 10 minutes and on modern machines within seconds.Network Manager: Lets you easily fix security issues on your home network from one PC. Provides easy and automatic printer and file sharing across comp

Get 95% OFF

Click here for more information about McAfee Internet Security 2009 1-User

Read More...

McAfee Total Protection 2009 3-User Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When computer users were searching for a term to apply to computer programs that came loaded with viruses, harmful DRM (Digital Rights Management) or other insidious ways of slowing down the user's computer, they eventually settled on "Malware."
Its time to coin a new term for programs like McAfee Total Protection. My complaints against the program are only partially related to its ability to filter out viruses and keep a computer free of junk.
The real issue with this program, and many, many others is that it will constantly steal the users focus by popping up text boxes from the Taskbar in Windows. These can come at ANY time the computer is on. They alert the user to the fact that "McAfee has installed updates," or "It is time to restart the computer" to the neverendingly frustrating "Your subscription is about to expire." These boxes can and will pop up while immersed in a full screen computer game, at times causing it to crash. They will pop up when you are working on editing digital photos, or watching a movie, or anything else that requires your full attention.
The term "nagware," came to mind, and maybe it will stick. Feel free to put your suggestions in the comments section of this review.
I understand why they do this. It is intended for novice computer owners who need to be reminded of all of these things, and who don't consider having their 'focus' (the primary task the computer user is working on. For example, as I write this review, it is my primary focus) stolen as EXTREMELY frustrating. That wouldn't even be a big deal, except that McAfee in their infinite wisdom has provided no remedy for the power user. We cannot turn off these irritating messages. They come regardless of my desire to see them or not.
They are amazingly irritating, especially if they disrupt something immersive, like a computer game or movie. Imagine: you are watching your new blue-ray of "The Dark Knight," and just as Batman is about to dispense with the Joker, a text box pops up with the message "McAfee has finished installing updates" in a gray box in the corner of the screen. Unacceptable in the first place, and even more so because you CANNOT TURN THIS FEATURE OFF! This gets unbearable when your subscription is a few months from expiring, and alerts informing you of that pop up literally every time you use the computer. Also, they don't just leave after they pop up, the user is required to click 'ok.' You cannot permanently disable these messages.
As a virus scanner, McAfee works relatively well. It will scan your system for viruses, and if your definitions are up-to-date, find them some of the time. However, it is pretty strange that after making virus software for so many years, they still cannot provide a reasonably well working Spyware hunter that is anywhere near as good as the free version of "Ad-Aware" offered by Lavasoft, or the retail version of "Spybot Search and Destroy."
Another major complaint is the sheer size of the system resource footprint that McAfee total protection takes up. If you have an older computer, less than 2gb of ram (4gb with Vista), this program will create a very noticeable slowdown in your computer's performance. Comparing to how it runs on my wife's laptop with 4gb of ram vs. some of the computers at my work with only 1.5gb, the older work computers are drastically slowed down by McAfee, while my wife's laptop with its 4gb of ram is not really affected. (I do not use this program on my computer for the reasons that I've laid out above).
In concussion, if you don't care about 1. Annoying pop ups that steal your focus and cannot be disabled, 2. Very limited spyware removal and 3. Slow and poorly written code that uses a large portion of system resources, you MIGHT consider buying this software.
*****UPDATE 09-15-2009*****
Still have this program installed on my wife's laptop, and it's still popping up annoying and useless advertisements despite the fact that I've turned off all notifications in the options tab--you can see the most recent one that I took a screen shot of in the 'customer images' section of this Amazon page. When the license runs out in a few months I will be uninstalling this program and replacing it with AVAST home edition which is free. I can't recommend this program to anyone. Save yourself the money and get a free alternative like AVAST or AVG.
*****UPDATE 01-01-2010*****
Microsoft has recently released their excellent MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS for fee. It also recently won an award for being the best anti-virus program out there. Bests of all it's FREE to anyone with a valid copy of Windows (XP through Windows 7). I've been using it for a few months now and let me tell you, it's just about the best anti-virus I've encountered. Searches are wicked fast, the interface is slick, and best of all it has a tiny memory footprint! Updates are free FOREVER. Did I mention the program itself is completely free? Just Google search MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS, download, install, and you're good to go.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee Total Protection 2009 3-User

MFE09 TOT PROT 3USER

Get 88% OFF

Click here for more information about McAfee Total Protection 2009 3-User

Read More...