|
July 10, 2006
 McAfee Internet Security Suite
I have used McAfee or Norton to protect my various computers for many years. Elsewhere on this site I have a review of the most recent Panda Platinum Security suite. This month I tested the new McAfee Internet Security Suite and I find it a vast improvement over the McAfee products I have used in the past.
Prior to doing the install it is best to disconnect your system from the Internet as well as remove any previous security programs you have been using. The entire process was easy. I used the express installation the first time. Once that was done I found that the Privacy Service module (helps you protect your personal information from outside access) required that you password the computer and enter that password as a default each time you restart the system. I could have messed around with an option that would allow me to bypass the password, but I was not sure I needed the Privacy Service so I removed the entire suite and reinstalled it using the Custom option, unchecked Privacy Service, and reinstalled the rest. I will look into the Privacy Service option at some point and make a more educated choice.
The parts of the suite and my comments are as follows:
 McAfee SecurityCenter — Open this view by clicking the red “M” on the toolbar in the lower left side. To assess, inform, and warn you about your computer’s security vulnerability. Each security index evaluates your exposure to security and Internet-based threats, and then provides recommendations on how to improve your settings if needed.
 McAfee VirusScan —Scans, detects, fixes, and removes Internet viruses. Click Configure Virus Scans to customize virus scans and determine the response and action when a virus is detected.
(McAfee provides a simple test that checks your protection with a simulated virus from their web site.)
 McAfee Personal Firewall Plus — Protects your computer while it is connected to the Internet.
(Check to be sure that Microsoft’s Windows Firewall option is shut down if you wish to use the McAfee version. It works well. It found most of the programs on my system that need to access the internet and granted that access. The warning box that pops up when McAfee sees that your computer is accessing a site it does not recognize gives various options from access every time to block this site forever. Sites can be added or blocked manually if needed.)
 McAfee Privacy Service — Combines personal information protection, online advertisement blocking, and content filtering. It secures your personal information while providing greater control over your family's Internet experience. McAfee's Privacy Service ensures that you do not expose confidential information to online threats and protects you and your family from inappropriate online content.
(This is the module that I chose not to install. This is a personal choice not a criticism of this product.)
 McAfee SpamKiller — The rise of fraudulent, inappropriate and offensive e-mail to adults, children and businesses makes spam protection an essential component of your computer’s security strategy.
(Because Bellsouth also provides a spam filter on incoming my messages I have yet to have an Email blocked by this program.)
Automatic spyware and adware detection identifies, blocks, and removes identified potentially unwanted programs, such as spyware and adware, or other programs that jeopardize your privacy, identity or simply reduce PC performance.
(One week after installing this product I ran Ad-Aware from LavaSoft to see if anything showed up. Ad-Aware found 5 tracking cookies. Tracking cookies are not high alert adware but I usually delete them anyway. This is not to place blame on anyone. I just feel you should also check periodically using Ad-Aware or similar free software to have secondary spyware/adware protection.)
When using McAfee in the past I would renew my protection by paying the annual fee when they prompted me. I suggest that you look deeper than that. It is a good idea to check their web site for new innovations and then check your local software sales store to see if there are rebates or outright discounts on the product you chose. Security tools are an ever evolving product. This one seems to be a solid, easy to use, well thought out Suite that does a giant job while keeping computer overhead low enough that it does not measurably slow your system while protecting you from the outside world. I really like it!
|
