Nat West & McAfee

[Snadger]

I've just been doing a bit of online banking with Nat West and they are giving you the chance to download McAfee Security Centre which is a reputable Anti Virus, Firewall and Spyware suite For FREE.
You get one years FREE usage from the time you sign on! Would normally cost you about 36 quid if you bought it!

I've downloaded it and it seems ok to me!

[beefy]

It should work OK Snadger but It can be a pain to get properly out of your system should you decide to use something else in the future.

[HeyWayne]

Most, if not all the techie people I know say to stay clear of Norton and McAfee - they all suggest using something called AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/

I've got it on mine along with a Spyware tool: http://www.spywareterminator.com/

Seems to be fairly problem free.

Each to their own.

[lainey lou]

It should work OK Snadger but It can be a pain to get properly out of your system should you decide to use something else in the future.

I'll second that, Several times a day I have a little pop up telling me to resubscribe.

[Snadger]

Most, if not all the techie people I know say to stay clear of Norton and McAfee - they all suggest using something called AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/

I've got it on mine along with a Spyware tool: http://www.spywareterminator.com/

Seems to be fairly problem free.

Each to their own.

I've used AVG Anti virus free edition for the last couple of years and the AVG Spyware program for about six months!

I've just ditched these in favour of the FULL edition of McAfee!

I could get Norton free through my server but my computer is too old to run it!

[NOG]

Norton is a pain to get off if your suscription expires. There is a reg hack that you need to do to get it totally off.

[veggieginger]

Stay away from Norton, all the techies I know, advise.
It uses up far too much of your pc causing a lot of slowing down.

[terrier]

I had McAfee but got fed up with all the popups that kept appearing and the way they would just change things around all the time. The real problems started when I tried to remove it from my PC. I've not used Norton but there seems to be a general concensus that it is too troublesome and does slow your PC down to a crawl. I was advised to try AVG, which I did about 12 months ago. I've not had any problems with it at all and it's very simple to use. Also, it's the programme that Microsoft avise you to use, I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing!

[Snadger]

Has no one anything good to say about McAfee then?

[scared55]

I had McAfee but got fed up with all the popups that kept appearing and the way they would just change things around all the time. The real problems started when I tried to remove it from my PC. I've not used Norton but there seems to be a general concensus that it is too troublesome and does slow your PC down to a crawl. I was advised to try AVG, which I did about 12 months ago. I've not had any problems with it at all and it's very simple to use. Also, it's the programme that Microsoft avise you to use, I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing!

For what it is worth I have used Norton Internet Security on all of my PCs for as long as I can remember. I keep my subscription up to date and receive excellent service. I have worked with numerous people who use Norton, McAfee and Dr Solomons security and swear by them and yes, these people and I are all IT professionals (OK, I'm not now, I took early retirement a couple of years ago after twenty years in the business). My first PC was an Amstrad PC1512 bought in about 1988 and I have had a number since. To date I have suffered no problems from Virus, Trojan or anything else. Yes, there is a cost in processing power, but can you really expect a piece of software to examine every byte coming into or going out of your PC without using some processor time? I also use an active spyware checker to protect me against keyloggers etc.

I have flirted with some of the free AV products but my impression is that if you want full, up to date live virus cover, with anti-spam, privacy protection and everything else, you have to pay for it.

There are companies offering limited cover for free and these are mostly excellent as far as they go, but they do not offer as complete cover as you will get from the major players. There really is no such thing as a free lunch.

KK

[Flummery]

I use McAfee - no problems with it. I use it on the advice of Mr F who uses it at the University - he is his department's IT person. If I have a problem in the future - he gets it in the neck for a duff recommendation!

[terrier]

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree, Scared55. I'm afraid McAfee was just too much trouble for what it was worth. I don't see that all the bells and whistles and hype made it a better AV prog.