PROS: McAfee Antivirus Plus comes with strong virus protection.
CONS: Their all in one offer lacks the punch of other competing products.
OVERVIEW: With antivirus software, you want to be able to protect your computer and give yourself peace of mind. With the McAfee Antivirus Plus, you can rest easy knowing your computer is safe.
McAfee Antivirus Plus 2011
Company: McAfee
Version: 14.5.130
Release Date: 5-10-2011
Operating Systems: Windows XP SP2, Windows
Vista (32/64) SP1, Windows 7 (32/64) 9
Price: $49.99
What It Does
Scans and removes files, folders and external storage infected with viruses and malware.
Product Details
Mcafee AntiVirus 2011 has a new interface and contains more than just an antivirus. It contains a firewall, file shredder, web, email protection and PC optimization.
The new navigation layout fan downward when an option is selected, which doesn’t work well with the windows for the history and logs.
A Security Report contains last scan date, time, update schedule, any detections, firewall blocks and intrusions, PC maintenance activity and shredded files.
The built in firewall settings does a nice job in using simple language and instructions for firewall configuration. For novices, this will help tremendously to interpret more advanced firewall management. It also appears within the Web and Email protection menu.
Real time scanning is enabled automatically, and can be executed on varied times and dates. After my initial install, the software made an automatic update to its signature database.
Site Advisor will validate the safety of websites before your connection to them. However, unlike other browser security scanners that intercept and display the browser safety stats after URL entry, McAfee requires you launch the browser plug in (Firefox/IE), enter the URL and run the site checker- a bit cumbersome, and slow. And for Opera users, it didn’t seem to be supported.
The PC Optimization menu options will optimize the system, cleaning unused files and run a Defragmentor.
The Shredder can be used to completely destroy files, and their remnants from the PC, using Basic, Safe Comprehensive and Complete on the recycle bin, temporary Internet files or specific drive locations.
The Home Network menu option allows the end user to have a birds eye view of computers on the network and verify if each has a McAfee installed and functioning.
Installation
Easy
Knowledge Level
Novice = 3 Intermediate = 2 Expert = 1
Technical Support
24-hour online, Frequently Asked Questions and Knowledgebase, automated Solution Wizards, and a support community.
License Model
$49.95 covers installation on one computer.
Conclusion
It has the basics: virus protection with the advantage of a Firewall and file shreading. Everyday language helps non techie types to use the program easily. Site checking and disk performance are nice add ons too. McAfee, a well known name in the industry, offers extra utilities and primary virus protection, at a competitive price.
