18 replies to this topic

[Cukeman]

My mom got a computer that comes with McAfee for a limited time.
I would install AVG, but my dad said you don't want to run two protection programs at once.

My question is how do I tell if McAfee is running or not?
I keep getting this pop up about McAfee, but I don't want to pay for McAfee.
Ideally if McAfee is running, I'd like to let it expire, then install AVG.

[Ventus]

My mom got a computer that comes with McAfee for a limited time.
I would install AVG, but my dad said you don't want to run two protection programs at once.

Yeah you really don't want to run two ativirus's at once it would be a disaster. they would probley flip out. ( I've never had two on one system to find out if that happens)

My question is how do I tell if McAfee is running or not?
I keep getting this pop up about McAfee, but I don't want to pay for McAfee.
Ideally if McAfee is running, I'd like to let it expire, then install AVG.

Most of the time you should be able to see a McAfee icon on the system tray (You know where you see the clock on the computer)
And I would recommend uninstalling it before it expires though, I had one that expired and it was a pain to completely remove.
I mean if you want you can. but if not, just let it expire and see if you can uninstall it then, and then you can go ahead and install AVG.

[Beefster]

McAfee is terrible. It thinks GRUB is a virus.

I'd recommend purging McAfee and replacing it with AVG, or better yet, ClamWin.

[NoeL]

Go with Avast instead.

[Takuya]

I know that the built-in newer Windows firewalls and virus stuff is ok. I usually use AVG on Windows.

The way you can tell if it's still running is just pop open task manager. You can also uninstall via the remove programs control panel.

[Ben]

Microsoft Security Essentials will usually fit a home user's needs, isn't intrusive, and won't slow everything down. At this point, any antivirus/antimalware that costs money is pretty much a scam for a home user. The only people paying for protection should be institutions like schools, or corporations.

However, keep something like Malwarebytes around as a backup, regardless of the main antivirus you use.

[ShadowTiger]

I rather enjoyed this article.

A few months ago, I ... Oh. Here it is. Yeah, read that too.

[Soarin]

My family uses Norton 360 for the computers.

[DCEnygma]

I prefer Norton, honestly. Since around version 4 back in 2009 they have stopped being so bloated and now integrate really well into most systems. Also, I have never had any viruses get through a Norton 360 installation on any computer that I've worked on, so there's that. McAffe, AVG, and Avast haven't been so fortunate. I wouldn't call Norton 360 a scam either, since I think it's usually around 60 bucks for a year of service (and I'm pretty sure that's good for 3 computers.)

[Soarin]

I also am a Norton user my self. it works wonders for me I would not go back to anything else.

[Neppy]

Go with Avast instead.

This, right here. Avast is much better then AVG.

[LinktheMaster]

A few months ago, I ... Oh. Here it is. Yeah, read that too.

Well, I'm going to point out what that article actually recommends to use: Microsoft Security Essentials. He was just comparing everything else to it.

It's fairly light in resources, as the article ST posted states, but it's also pretty effective. I haven't had any problems with it, and I'm much fonder of it than Avast and AVG.

[Ventus]

I used to use Microsoft Security Essentials, but after awhile of not updating (Like a week) It takes way to long for me to update. (Like 2 hours) Which I hate waiting that long.
So I found Avast Free. and I've been using that ever since, It really don't take long to update Even on crappy dial up.
I have to say I feel pretty safe On my Windows XP with avast, I never had a virus at all yet

[Ben]

Here's one of the reasons I don't trust any paid antivirus.

Seriously. MSE beats the crap out of Norton, McAfee, and even Kaspersky lately. A definition update won't completely brick your machine.

[ShadowTiger]

A program update to Comodo Firewall once royally messed up some bizarre random corner of my Hard Drive in horrific and unspeakable ways that I dare not recall.