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There’s no way to tell you how bad this package is in only 1,000 words. 100,000 is more like it.

SpamKiller puts “spam” into a separate folder. However, McAfee’s VirusScan flashes warnings for each piece of virus-infected email which arrives in that folder, even though they have already been decontaminated by VirusScan. On bootup, I was getting 88 or more meaningless virus alerts, requiring two clicks each to dismiss!

McAfee took more than a month to figure this out. I wasted over 30 hours online with their totally clueless techs before I finally realized that my system wasn’t massively infected – the whole problem was that McAfee’s two products were in conflict.

Later, email from the McAfee Escalation Team was blocked by their own SpamKiller software, because it “looked like spam”. When I finally got in touch with an Escalation tech, he wrote that he needed to find an expert in SpamKiller to help me…that was on October 20th. It is now November 12, and there has still been no word. McAfee has taken over THREE weeks to find an expert in THEIR OWN SOFTWARE, and they STILL haven’t found one! This is incredibly bad service.

SpamKiller was also really bad with spam. It let a LOT of spam through, even after I’d set up some specific filters…others have reported this filtering glitch. It also marked a lot of good email as spam. This was totally unacceptable, of course.

The entire methodology of SpamKiller is inferior, because it primarily relies on a centralized list. Once the spammers figure out a way through the McAfee-defined filters, the entire McAfee customer base is open to them for another mailing. Individually-developed Bayesian filtering programs are much superior, since they reflect the actual spam that the user receives and are therefore not subject to a universal spammer workaround. I uninstalled SpamKiller and have been using a free program that uses Bayesian filtering (POPfile), and after a week it is at 98% accuracy, with the balance of error on including spam in my inbox – which is much preferable to losing good mail. As I continue to use the program it continues to learn and adapt, too. I’m very pleased with it. It’s remarkable easy to use, too.

SpamKiller was slow to respond to new email (sometimes I could see that new email had come in with webmail, but it took SpamKiller ten minutes or more to receive it), and slow to process mail, too.

WARNING: Once you give McAfee permission to “auto-renew” your account with your credit card, it is not easy to get them to stop. Some people have had to make all sorts of calls and complaints. It took me more than a week to get them to take my card off the account, so that I can let my McAfee account lapse.

Taken separately, VirusScan is not a bad program. I subscribed to it separately for many years. But thanks to my awful experience with SpamKiller 5.0 I’m dropping McAfee altogether. If you’d like to know more, email me. I’ve got some stories that are pretty funny, if you didn’t have to pay $65.00 for the experience.

Click Here to see more reviews about: VirusScan 8.0 and SpamKiller 5 Bundle

I loaded this Spamkiller 2006 Version 7.0 product 3 times on my computer and even with the help of McAfee’s technical support.Not only didn’t it reduce any spam (it caught none), but slowed down my system and was almost impossible to remove the software (obviously McAfee intentionally wants it that way).This is the LAST McAfee product I will purchase.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee Spamkiller 2006 Version 7.0

When I reviewed McAfee VirusScan 8.0, I only gave the program a rating of 2-stars. I’ve increased the rating this time around to 3-stars, but only because in hindsight I think I was too harsh on McAfee regarding what I consider to be blatant advertising, otherwise known as McAfee SecurityCenter.

I’ll talk more about that in a little bit, but first let’s review the actual virus scanning ability.

McAfee VirusScan 9.0 is, essentially, the same program as the previous version. The only real difference is the scanning engine that operates the program, which is a behind-the-scenes item. Other than that, the only changes are cosmetic in nature.

As with the previous version, VirusScan 9.0 is relatively easy to install. I say relatively easy because before you can install the program, you need to uninstall any previous VirusScan versions as well as follow the “pre-install” instructions that come with it. (WARNING: I also recommend that you uninstall ALL McAfee products on your computer before trying to install any VirusScan version. VirusScan is notorious about causing conflicts if you do not perform what they call a “clean” install.)

Despite following the above advice, I installed, updated, and adjusted the settings in less than 10 minutes. I experienced no problems with the set up, or with conducting several test scans.

In version 8.0, McAfee condensed not only the number of settings to adjust, but also the number of levels you had to navigate in order to get to all of the settings. The company also introduced their “virus map” feature, which allows you to, if you wish to participate, anonymously send virus information to the map system. The virus map also allows you to track viruses around the world. Wisely, McAfee left these options alone.

One area I wish McAfee had made a change to is how the program “updates” itself. I prefer to have the program tell me when an update is available to download (I’ve never really been comfortable in allowing any program to automatically download an update). Unfortunately, this requires me to physically log-in to McAfee’s Website each and everytime there is an update. Thankfully, I participate in Microsoft’s Passport program, so logging in only requires a click of a button. But I still think you should be able to program your McAfee username and password into Security Center. In addition, the time required to download an update is still substantially more than it was back in version 7.0. Luckily, I now have a DSL connection so the time requirement isn’t that bad. But if you still have a dial-up connection, be prepared for what can be substantial update times.

In all the years I have used McAfee VirusScan, I have never once had a virus or trojan horse successfully download or install on my computer. I give the virus scanning ability of McAfee a 5-star rating.

So why the overall reduced rating? There are three reasons for it.

REASON 1: For some reason, McAfee can’t help themselves when it comes to screwing up either VirusScan or Security Center during updates. In each of the last four years, McAfee has issued an update that caused severe problems for its users. During version 7.0, it was the introduction of Security Center through an update that caused many computers, mine included, to lose the ability to connect to our ISPs. During version 8.0, a Security Center update created a boot-up problem that caused many computers, again mine included, to frequently be unable to start VirusScan. I’m hoping this will be the year that McAfee can avoid screwing up our computers during the udpates, but I won’t hold my breath.

REASON 2: McAfee’s customer service is one of the worst in any industry. Their live instant messaging help is a joke. The people who run this don’t listen to your problem at all. They are only trained to have you run through a series of steps. Last year my then ISP made a change in how users connected to the Internet that caused a conflict with VirusScan. My ISP knew exactly how to fix this, but I needed to get one piece of information from McAfee. Their customer service people refused to listen to me when I tried to explain to them what I needed. When I refused to follow their “remedy” instructions, they would disconnect from the conversation. In an effort to get an answer, I finally capitulated and followed their instructions. Big mistake. Their instructions so screwed up my computer that I had to reinstall my operating system, as well as pay money to talk to McAfee on the phone (even then, it took three weeks and 5 different people before I got my answer).

REASON 3: I still do not like the blatant advertising that is called Security Center. I know this is not a big deal to many people, but it just really bugs me. The taskbar icon that is installed is not what bothers me (I actually like this feature, because I don’t have to add desktop icons for each McAfee program; instead, the Security Center taskbar icon keeps everything in one, easily accessible place). What really bothers me is the Security Center splash screen (which cannot be disabled) that pops up every time you start, or restart, your computer. This splash screen is oh-so-nice in telling you whether or not you have also installed McAfee’s Firewall Plus, Privacy Service, and SpamKiller. Having to see this everytime I start my computer makes me feel like I paid good money to install a pop-up advertisement.

Let me condense all of the above into the following: The underlying scanning engine is about the only real change in McAfee VirusScan 9.0 (although, this version does appear to fix a couple of bugs that were introduced through the previous version’s updates). The Virus Map is still neat, the update feature is still time consuming, and Security Center is still basically a McAfee adversting tool.

Bottom line: If the updates during version 8.0 are causing you problems, then go ahead and buy this version. Otherwise, it won’t hurt to wait for version 10 before you upgrade.

Product Description
McAfee VirusScan Pro multi-license option provides an award-winning PC security for comprehensive, real-time defense against viruses, mass-mailing worms, Trojans and other malware, as well as advanced spam and spyware protection. The software also includes McAfee QuickClean, which removes cookies, ActiveX and confidential files and clutter that accumulate in the cache while accessing the Internet. Automatic product updates ensure protection against the very latest threats. McAfee software enables businesses, giving them the freedom to save, share and send data over the Internet.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee VirusScan Pro 2005 9.0 – 2 User

McAfee’s Personal Firewall Plus version 5.0 was almost unilaterally panned by everyone who reviewed it. The same can pretty much be said for McAfee’s VirusScan 8.0. I’m not sure the latest versions of these programs are going to do much to quiet the negative reviews.

As I stated in my title, VirusScan 9.0 and Firewall Plus 6.0 are not much different from their predecessors. The only real change is the engines underneath the programs. Only time will tell whether or not the improvements in this area are enough to satisfy the critics.

Before I get into anything else McAfee related, let me review the actual programs themselves.

VirusScan 9.0:
Considering all of the time I spend on my computer, whether it be writing a paper, surfing the World Wide Web, chatting with friends on IRC or through instant messaging, it’s amazing that I only encounter a few contaminated files and programs a year (I’m not complaining, mind you). Thankfully, I have had a McAfee virus scanner on my computer since day one. And to this day, I have never had a virus or trojan horse successfully infect my computer.

Installation is relatively easy (WARNING: Uninstall all McAfee programs AND follow the pre-installation instructions BEFORE attempting to install Virus Scan), taking less than 10 minutes to install, update, and adjust the settings. I have never had an installation or uninstallation issue with VirusScan, and McAfee has consolidated the number of settings (as well as how many levels you have to click through to get to them all) during the last couple of versions.

Personal Firewall Plus 6.0:
In May 2004, I finally moved out of the dark ages and moved from a dial-up connection to DSL. On the advice of a friend, I purchased a firewall program for the first time ever. Because I already used McAfee VirusScan (yes, I’m a glutton for punishment), I chose to buy Personal Firewall Plus version 5.0.

Unlike many of the reviews I read, I did not have any system problems as a result of installing or uninstalling version 5.0. So far, version 6.0 has not given me any problems either. The interface is very easy for me to use, the settings give me just enough adjustibility to do what I need to do, and I have never had a problem with the program starting itself when I boot-up my computer.

For someone like me, who is completely port illiterate, McAfee Personal Firewall Plus has done exactly what it is suppose to do: block the bad stuff from reaching my computer.

If I was rating the virus scanner and firewall only, I would give them a 5-star rating since I have never had a problem with the programs themselves.

Ah, but this is McAfee we are talking about. And when you buy a McAfee product, you also end up buying the stupidity of McAfee. There are three reasons why this McAfee VirusScan/Firewall bundle only gets a 3-star rating from me:

REASON 1: McAfee has a habit of messing up their programs through the update features, especially the Security Center pop-up advertisement, uh…. I mean feature, that automatically comes with all McAfee products. So far, none of their update bugs have affected me where Firewall Plus is concerned, but the same cannot be said about VirusScan.

REASON 2: As reported by many a reviewer, McAfee’s customer service department is a joke. Their live instant messaging service has yet to ever resolve a customer’s problem (an overstatement, I’m sure…… but not by much). And their paid service isn’t much better. I know many people who refuse to purchase anything McAfee because of past experiences with their customer service department. Can’t say I really blame them.

REASON 3: I cannot stand the blatant McAfee advertisement that is known as Security Center. The splash screen that appears everytime you start your computer (and for which McAfee refuses to allow us to turn off) is nothing more than a pop-up advertisement that you pay to have installed on your computer. This splash screen is oh-so-nice in telling you what McAfee products you have yet to install on your computer. It doesn’t matter if you are using a competitor’s product. Security Center doesn’t bother to check to see. It just forever tells you that you don’t have McAfee this or McAfee that.

Bottom line: If you are having problems with the previous versions, go ahead and buy these new versions. But I don’t think the internal engine changes McAfee has made are worth the price (even a rebated price) to mess with upgrading now. Wait for the new versions to come out towards the end of 2005.

Product Description
McAfee VirusScan provides advanced, real-time protection against viruses, mass-mailing worms, Trojans, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) such as spyware, adware and dialers. It protects against the threats that originate from e-mail, instant messaging, Internet downloads, file sharing programs, and Web surfing, automatically detecting and cleaning infected files before they can attack your system. Whether you’re a novice computer user or a pro, McAfee VirusScan provides the ultimate in PC protection with its award-winning threat prevention technology. Automatic and virtually effortless, the software provides a safe and worry-free online experience.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee VirusScan 2005 9.0 and Firewall 2005 6.0 Bundle

The most terrible antispyware I ever used.The only thing worse is the Customer Support provided by McAfee.The online groupsincompetence is surpassed only by the incompetence of the telephone support group.They need a good Systems Integrator to help them provide professional support.I’m done with them and will never spend another dollar on their products.

Product Description
Proven security that helps prevent spyware, McAfee AntiSpyware detects, quarantines, and removes potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), such as spyware, Trojans, dialers, tracking cookies, and persistant marketing programs. AntiSpyware continuously monitors and alerts when changes to your Internet browsing settings, including changes to security levels, home page, and search page, take place. With automated, daily updates, AntiSpyware’s always-on protection coupled with McAfee’s worldwide spyware monitoring activities protects your identity and privacy from the latest security threats.

Click Here to see more reviews about: McAfee AntiSpyware 2006 Version 2.0