Keep or dump McAfee?

I'm about to receive my new Dell laptop, which is coming preloaded with a year of McAfee Security Centre (I tried to get the phone rep to take it off the system or replace it with Norton when I ordered but they wouldn't, unfortunately, as it was part of one of their preset systems). I've read mostly neutral to negative comments about McAfee in previous posts here, but I did technically pay for it, so I'm torn. So my question is : Is McAfee bad enough that I should wipe it immediately and replace it with other security software?

 

Since you've "paid" for it, you could try it for a while and see. I've had nothing but trouble with McAfee software in the past and will never, ever allow any of their stuff near any computer of mine, but that's just me

 

Detection wise McAfee is pretty good these days (See latest AV Comparatives test). Performance wise McAfee still has come on par with its contentender (Avira, Avast, etc.). But i'd say, since u did 'technically' pay for it, try it out for some time and see how it suits you. And whether you notice slow downs, hang-ups etc.

If you want to try another paid AV, Norton 2010 & NOD32 are great programs.

If you plan on going the free route then Avira, avast! or MSE are what i'd suggest you'd check out.

Cheers.

 

Just dump it. Get yourself Norton or Kaspersky, if you're planning to pay.
If you want FREE AVs, I would say Avira Antivir Personal 9, Avast! Home Edition and Microsoft Security Essentials. Even FREE AVs can beat the hell out of McAfee.

 

dump it, its always first on my removal list

 

I get a free version of McAfee with BT internet. Tired it. Didn't like it. Went back to MSE. Detection wise it's okay, but trying to scan the system took ages, plus my reboot times became unreasonable. Not to mention sending/receiving emails - McAfee makes it unbearably slow on my machine.I also have a few issues with its pre-emptive defense system (quarantee-ing whql'd drivers just because it doesn't recognise them is not the best way forward).

 

It's the first thing I remove if it comes on my new system.

 

yes, my vote is also to dump it. I've found McAfee to be a resource hog. I switched to the free Avast! and am much happier.

 

Dump it.

Get Microsoft's Free Security Essentials.

 

Dump it, normally i'd say keep it since you did pay but McAfee's so bad I simply cant.

Norton 2010 for a paid app and MSE or Avira for a free app. Can't go wrong with any of those.

 

Dump it and get antivir

 

Same here, it's the first thing I uninstall on any new computer if it came with it.

 

Dump it. We're forced to use McAfee at my university, and it's awful.

 

Yeah, it sucks that universities are like that. Mine gives us the choice of McAfee corporate, but are moving toward Sophos so they'll be offering that to us later. We can elect to use our own AV, thankfully, which is what i've done.

 

Luckily, my college is Kaspersky based. XD
McAfee is too lame. But I wonder why some many machines come with McAfee orginally?

 

votes to keep McAfee - 1/2 (arjunned's reply was both yes and no )

votes to dump McAfee/run screaming in terror away from McAfee - 11 1/2

Thanks for the votes and comments everyone - the results are definitive and I think I'll pick up Norton tomorrow

Dell and McAfee defintely seem to have a deal where McAfee's the #1 antivirus option on their laptops - like I said before, when I asked the Dell rep why I couldn't switch McAfee for Norton I got a whole speech about how McAfee's their "recommended" antivirus option and that's why it's part of all their preconfigured systems - even though they sell Norton and other security software right on their website. The only way for me not to get McAfee would have been to build a system from scratch, which was way more expensive than modifying one of their preconfigured options.

 

McAfee and Norton have pushed hard to get into the preinstalled game, literally handing PC makers fistfulls of cash to get onto their system images. It's nice that Sony and Dell give you the option (usually, with some exceptions in Dell's case) to decline AV software totally.

 

I see. I see.
Now, the Kaspersky is much more crazier. Can see Kaspersky Advertisement everywhere. Moreover, there's 2 Celebrities used in the Advertisement. LOL.
Kaspersky really want to crush all AV/ISes this time.

 

Microsoft forever!!!!

 

Dude, seriously, check out Microsoft Security Essentials. I haven't used Norton in years because I found it quite resource intensive and it would noticeably bog down my computer. Compared to McAfee it was much less problematic (McAfee caused regular BSODs and wouldn't allow me to connect my camera).

Actually I haven't used any antivirus in years and relied on firewalls (router + ZoneAlarm) and clean living to keep my computers safe, but after checking out MSE I've installed it on my 2 new Win 7 computers.

 

MSE is really awesome. You don't need a PAID AV/IS with it.
Norton 2009/2010 have totally changed from their previous versions.
Now, they're user friendly, very light resources and high detection rate.
Google around the Norton 2009/2010 for proves and details.

 

dump, dump, dump, dump, DUMP!

Get Windows Security Essentials. Very lite and pretty decent software.

 

I've been running Norton 2010 for a week now and it's true - the new version is much less of a system hog than older versions. I was scared off Norton a couple of years ago as running it literally almost shut my system down, but Norton 2010 is pretty unnoticeable. And it wasn't really much of an expense (thanks to a sale price and sharing the other 2 licences with friends )

 

As long is it makes you content.