Customer Reviews

McAfee VirusScan 2005 [Old Version]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

When I reviewed McAfee VirusScan 8.0, I only gave the program a rating of 2-stars. I've increased the rating this time around to 3-stars, but only because in hindsight I think I was too harsh on McAfee regarding what I consider to be blatant advertising, otherwise known as McAfee SecurityCenter.

I'll talk more about that in a little bit, but first let's review the actual virus scanning ability.

McAfee VirusScan 9.0 is, essentially, the same program as the previous version. The only real difference is the scanning engine that operates the program, which is a behind-the-scenes item. Other than that, the only changes are cosmetic in nature.

As with the previous version, VirusScan 9.0 is relatively easy to install. I say relatively easy because before you can install the program, you need to uninstall any previous VirusScan versions as well as follow the "pre-install" instructions that come with it. (WARNING: I also recommend that you uninstall ALL McAfee products on your computer before trying to install any VirusScan version. VirusScan is notorious about causing conflicts if you do not perform what they call a "clean" install.)

Despite following the above advice, I installed, updated, and adjusted the settings in less than 10 minutes. I experienced no problems with the set up, or with conducting several test scans.

In version 8.0, McAfee condensed not only the number of settings to adjust, but also the number of levels you had to navigate in order to get to all of the settings. The company also introduced their "virus map" feature, which allows you to, if you wish to participate, anonymously send virus information to the map system. The virus map also allows you to track viruses around the world. Wisely, McAfee left these options alone.

One area I wish McAfee had made a change to is how the program "updates" itself. I prefer to have the program tell me when an update is available to download (I've never really been comfortable in allowing any program to automatically download an update). Unfortunately, this requires me to physically log-in to McAfee's Website each and everytime there is an update. Thankfully, I participate in Microsoft's Passport program, so logging in only requires a click of a button. But I still think you should be able to program your McAfee username and password into Security Center. In addition, the time required to download an update is still substantially more than it was back in version 7.0. Luckily, I now have a DSL connection so the time requirement isn't that bad. But if you still have a dial-up connection, be prepared for what can be substantial update times.

In all the years I have used McAfee VirusScan, I have never once had a virus or trojan horse successfully download or install on my computer. I give the virus scanning ability of McAfee a 5-star rating.

So why the overall reduced rating? There are three reasons for it.

REASON 1: For some reason, McAfee can't help themselves when it comes to screwing up either VirusScan or Security Center during updates. In each of the last four years, McAfee has issued an update that caused severe problems for its users. During version 7.0, it was the introduction of Security Center through an update that caused many computers, mine included, to lose the ability to connect to our ISPs. During version 8.0, a Security Center update created a boot-up problem that caused many computers, again mine included, to frequently be unable to start VirusScan. I'm hoping this will be the year that McAfee can avoid screwing up our computers during the udpates, but I won't hold my breath.

REASON 2: McAfee's customer service is one of the worst in any industry. Their live instant messaging help is a joke. The people who run this don't listen to your problem at all. They are only trained to have you run through a series of steps. Last year my then ISP made a change in how users connected to the Internet that caused a conflict with VirusScan. My ISP knew exactly how to fix this, but I needed to get one piece of information from McAfee. Their customer service people refused to listen to me when I tried to explain to them what I needed. When I refused to follow their "remedy" instructions, they would disconnect from the conversation. In an effort to get an answer, I finally capitulated and followed their instructions. Big mistake. Their instructions so screwed up my computer that I had to reinstall my operating system, as well as pay money to talk to McAfee on the phone (even then, it took three weeks and 5 different people before I got my answer).

REASON 3: I still do not like the blatant advertising that is called Security Center. I know this is not a big deal to many people, but it just really bugs me. The taskbar icon that is installed is not what bothers me (I actually like this feature, because I don't have to add desktop icons for each McAfee program; instead, the Security Center taskbar icon keeps everything in one, easily accessible place). What really bothers me is the Security Center splash screen (which cannot be disabled) that pops up every time you start, or restart, your computer. This splash screen is oh-so-nice in telling you whether or not you have also installed McAfee's Firewall Plus, Privacy Service, and SpamKiller. Having to see this everytime I start my computer makes me feel like I paid good money to install a pop-up advertisement.

Let me condense all of the above into the following: The underlying scanning engine is about the only real change in McAfee VirusScan 9.0 (although, this version does appear to fix a couple of bugs that were introduced through the previous version's updates). The Virus Map is still neat, the update feature is still time consuming, and Security Center is still basically a McAfee adversting tool.

Bottom line: If the updates during version 8.0 are causing you problems, then go ahead and buy this version. Otherwise, it won't hurt to wait for version 10 before you upgrade.

When I purchased Mcafee Antivirus, Mcafee encouraged me to sign up for a subscription. Every year, they automatically renew the subscription without telling me. They do not provide a courtesy e-mail or a reminder. The charge just shows up on the credit card. On their website, they do not provide a way to cancel their subscription. Not providing a way to cancel the subscription is a questionable business practice. I have contacted their customer service, but have not yet received a reply. As a precautionary step, I was forced to cancel the credit card that they automatically charge.

I purchased a new computer that came with Norton Antivirus and no longer need Mcafee. I am extremely pleased with the Norton Antivirus software. The user interface is much easier to use. They also seem to detect more than just viruses and are more advanced than Mcafee. Norton does not force a renewal down your throat either. Instead they send you a reminder that it is time to renew. Norton is much better.

I have currently used McAfee VirusScan version 5.0, 8.0, and now version 9.0 which is for the year 2005.

Let me just say that I have used many AntiVirus products before, and McAfee seems to be the only one that actualy finds the viruses, and dosn't give me problems either.

A lot of people complain about McAfee but let's take a look behind the mask...

1. Every computer in my entire family uses McAfee and can't complain.

2. After I bought McAfee VS2004, it detected a whole boatload of trojan horses AVG missed.

Now, let's take a look at the world's precious Norton...

I used it for 30 minutes and it wrecked my computer.

My computer ran like maple syrup, and low and behold, after I uninstall Norton after getting sick of it, some programs in Windows refused to run!!! Help would not run, system retore would not run, program compatibilty agent would not run. All of those ran perfectly up untill Norstinks.

I reinstall my operating system after reformatting...yes, I got that sick of the problems.

Put in McAfee 2005 and it's running just fine.

Also, any problems users have currently had sending/receiving e-mail via outlook express with McAfee, have been fixed in this new version.

It's cheaper than Norton, uses around 50% less system resources, detects and cleans plenty of viruses, and gives me no trouble.

GET IT :-)

I've been a McAfee fan for years, until last week. An antivirus auto-update didn't finish loading, which put my PC in a constant rebooting stage. After paying $$ to speak to someone at McAfee, and getting "scripted brainless runarounds", he finally told me it was my system vendor's problem and not theirs.
I had to install a new hard drive, reinstall all my applications, and then restore my data from backups. I then decided to use a less popular, but well-reviewed antivirus product. It found a number of viruses in my restored data that McAfee had been missing for years.
The new program only uses a fraction of the system RAM that McAfee did. McAfee's Security Center uses a lot of RAM, which is a waste, because its main purpose is to constantly annouce what McAfee software products you haven't bought yet.
Don't buy McAfee, you can do a lot better !!

The new version 9 of McAfee VirusScan 2005 has some serious problems over previous versions.

1. It REQUIRES Microsoft Internet Explorer to be the default web browser or it will not update. MS IE has been determined to be the weakest browser on the market and Firefox, Opera and others cannot be the default. MS IE has many security holes and for a security company to mandate that you use a browser that's not secure is just nonsense.

2. You now need to also include McAfee's marketing tool called "Security Center" that constantly reminds you that you don't have all the McAfee products installed.

3. There's no logging ability any more so you never know what's going on, if a virus has been detected, if updates actually occurred and such.

4. If you're into games, video editing and other activities where pop-up's will get in the way, you need to completely shutdown VirusScan or the pop-ups will hinder your gaming pleasure or your work. They do cause the system to slow down while they load and then you also get a second pop-up asking to clean your system. Shutting down VirusScan to do work kind of defeats the purpose of even having it.

5. There is no way to exclude files from being checked so if you run a firewall or BlackIce that captures evidence logs, VirusScan will pop-up all the time when the firewall logs get information. There is no way to avoid the constant notices because you cannot exclude these files.

Had I known it had these limitations and problems, I would have never spent the money on this package.

February 3, 2005

I recieved my new version of McAfee 2005 today. I purchased it here on Amazon and alway like to buy my Virus Protection here.
Anyways I opened the Disc then inserted it in my PC to install the new version.
Well I must say it was very easy as usual. During the install process it even told me to be sure to remove any and all previous Virus Protection from my Computer. The new 9.0 version even has a Program on it that will help you to remove any prior Virus Protection Programs.
The only thing that I never enjoy is waiting for the Install process to finish. This time around with the new 2005 took me longer than in the past few years. Oh well not that big a deal.
What I was also impressed with was that I didn't even need to re-register with McAfee. After the install I just hit the Update button and Wow everything went just fine.
I have not yet tried any Updates with this new version, but I am sure all will be fine.
In fact I am also awaiting another Disc from McAfee for my other PC (computer) The other Disc however is the full System Suite.
Also I have read here on Amazon's feedback area that some of you have a hard time with McAfee. I have never found it difficult to contact McAfee be it by Phone or Email.
I would highly recommend McAfee anytime.
I have used other Virus Software but find McAfee to always be the best for the Buck. (Money)


Update as of February 8th, 2005...

I just recieved my Internet Suite 2005 Disc from McAfee. It has been nothing less than a Nightmare. The Install constantly froze and I had to Install and Uninstall this Item several times.
I also wasn't able to Registar with McAfee. Something that I heard from their Customer Service is happening alot with this new version.
I also am having big problems with the Spam Killer that is included with this Bundle Deal.(Internet Suite 2005)
Ever since I installed this Garbage on my Dell Office PC it has been nothing less than pure Hell.
Also the Customer Service People at McAfee are no longer friendly as in the past years. The several times I phoned their Customer Service Number which isn't Toll free.. It is a Number in San Jose California... (408 area code) Anyways the Customer Service people got rude and had no idea what I should do. They then recommended I call their support line that charges $2.99 per minute... Or call another support line that charges a one time fee of $39.99 per incident. However if the incident isn't resolved within 24 hours tough luck on YOU the consumer....
As of this year I will No Longer be a supporter of McAfee or any of its Products. I also worn anyone of you who maybe thinking of purchasing the Internet Suite 2005 not too.... It is nothing less than a big waste of Money....

I recently upgraded from version 7 to 9 and I must say that this is a big step backwards.

The first thing I noticed is that the product blatantly lies to you. It will claim that your virus scan is up to date when, in fact, it hasn't done any updates since it was installed!!! The problem was finally traced to using a browser other than Internet Explorer.

Their customer support was totally worthless in this regard. Multiple reinstallations of McAfee did NOT cure this problem. After monitoring their update program it was determined that ActiveX is required to update their product. I use a different web browser than IE and I have ActiveX disabled for security reasons (highly recommended that it be disabled by various network security sites). Thus, since ActiveX was disabled, McAfee would not update but, it would always say that it did.

When I get my rebates for the product, I'll be purchasing a different AntiVirus product and trashing this one. I used to really like and support McAfee but with this release, I've had to do a 180 degree change in direction. I don't need their marketing telling me that I should purchase all their other products. I don't need to be led to believe that I'm up to date when I'm not. I shouldn't need to reduce the security of my system in order to run their product. I shouldn't be required to use other products configured in a special way to run any anti virus package. For these reasons, I rate this new release as terrible.

Awful,Awful,Awful,Terrible, Terrible,Terrible. I should have listened to the reviewers on here! Especially when the one guy here said that Macafee IS the virus. He was right. I just could not believe it could be soooo different from the recently discontinued 4.5.1 for school/corporations [enterprise]. Boy, was i wrong! Not only does it take minutes to start up, Most of the time, after that, you can hardly even move your mouse [even though a resource meter shows hardly much usage]. What a lemon! I Tried reinstalling 2 or 3 times, rebooted 6-7x, re-updated 3x's etc. Error. U can't adjust anything or uninstall its addware in 1 step & it doesn't tell u what it's doing. U cannot remove it's adware in 1 step. Never detected anything- or didn't tell me?! Try free sharewares: Spybot 3.1 Search&destroy, maybe add Hostman + a firewall. Goin' maybe 4 Panda. This or nothin? Gimme nothing.

I'm a Norton user, have been since 2000. Studies were posted showing this was a better product. Next Windows XP had problems with McAfee and Norton beat them to the contract, developing a certified product first. HOWEVER, Norton is now the slacker. While on top, sucking up the money of millions, Norton is turning it's attention to other things. I love McAfee, now. Norton AntiVirus 2003 & 2004 will not catch the W32Spybot. Norton Internet Secrutiy will slow down your network, not allow you to EVER turn off Norton Internet Security, and cannot be uninstalled (must rip it out of the registry). In effect they take over your PC like NetZero, AOL, and much like a trojan. When I bought McAfee 9.0 2005 to replace Norton 2004 it caught the following:
- (2) Trojans: Exploit MhtRedir.gen
- (1) Trojan: Exploit CodeBase.gen
- (1) Virus: EICAR test file
Also, McAfee is very price considerate to their coupon people(...). I don't know what took them (4) years, but they are back in my book.

I thought about going on with a tirade about how McAfee offers rebates on their products that never arrive. But too many people have beaten me to the punch. There are whole websites devoted to people who spent six months trying to get a promised rebate from them. My story is not at all original, I bought the product and carefully included everything the rebate asked for, mailed the whole shebang in and waited...and waited...and waited and FINALLY received a letter in reply saying that my claim was rejected because of missing form xxx. "I'll have to take your word on that boys as you kept all the forms that I sent to yourselves instead of returning them with this note!!"
I could have fought them over this but why bother it's only $20 and I have no leverage.
Instead I'll just have to content my self with this little tirade...Oh and perhaps post a link to a company that lets you download a *FREE VERSION** of their commercial anti-virus software. [...]