Want a Good Free Online Security Program

12 years ago

My subscription with McAffee will soon expire and I am looking for a new source. Last year I had a major computer invasion that McAfee did not totally protect but said my system was safe when it wasn't. Last year I also bought a disk at a local computer outlet, installed it, said everything was renewed and 2 days later I get an alert that my entire system was at risk because my McAfee was expired. I had to go through their technicians to get it reinstalled. My friend had the same experience with Norton disks 2 years in a row.

I am looking for some opinions on McAfee products and suggestions on free online products. I also have Antispyware and AntiMalware and use Secunia to check my system.

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Comments (11)

mikie_gw
12 years ago
Nothing makes you virus free.. Even an exceptional smart user will install or click the wrong thing. Bingo, installed a virus.

Try "Microsoft Security Essentials". It's Free. It's Simple ! & it works!

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.microsoft.com/security/
kudzu9
12 years ago
Previously I've had McAfee and I've had Norton, but I've been using the free Avast! antivirus for over a year now and it seems to do a better job than either of those paid products. It also has an easier to use/understand interface, and it doesn't seem to slow any of my computers down, which is a problem I have had with McAfee.

Here is a link that might be useful: Avast!
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owbist
12 years ago
Microsoft Security Essentials that Mickie notes is a full featured anti virus and anti malware combine AND is fully automatic. Hard to beat that.

Avast, AVG, Avira, SUPERantispyware, Malwarebytes and others all do a fine job too and all are free
not2bright
12 years ago
FWIW, on two different computers with two different OS's (XP and W7), I found MSE to be extremely slow when doing its scans (i.e. hours). If time isn't an issue for you, then you needn't worry. You can try it and see if it works more quickly for you than it did for me.

(I went with Avira, MB, and SAS and have had no problems.)
genes
12 years ago
Lovetosew: whichever one you do choose, make sure that McAfee is completely uninstalled before installing the new choice..you can download the new choice to your computer first (but dont install yet) then completely uninstall McAfee using McAfee's uninstall tool..only then install your new choice..Personally, I have Avast on some of my computers and MSE on others...No problems with MSE updates as they are scheduled daily with a quick scan at 2am..your choice but anything even free stuff is better than McAfee
TulsaRose
12 years ago
MSE full scans will take longer if any windows are open or you are using the computer while the scan is running. A full scan on my computer takes approximately 35 minutes. It is set to run during my naptime every Sunday. :-)
margaretoh
12 years ago
I agree with the Microsoft Secure Essentials. I had Kaspersky before and the computer seems to run better with MSE. At least it seems to!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
use this to fully remove Mcafee it is all you need now it does an excellent job then you can install the new choice.
Using AppRemover
free AppRemover utility
susieq07
12 years ago
AVG2012 is Awesome!!!!
love2sew
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for your suggestions and info on removing McAfee. Maybe I won't like something else but it is always interesting to try something new. I think I will give Avast a try. This is always the best place to come for good reliable information.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
love2sew I still use the free AVAST on all of my windows computers and have been very happy with it, you do have to re register about once a year but it is as simple as clicking on a link now. Just be sure when you do your download and install you keep selecting the free version not the trial of the pay version.