topic Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution? in Plusnet Feedback

Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Gus — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:54:29 GMT

Not the best choice to offer customers, couldn't you have got a deal with Kaspersky or similar instead. So why the Norton clone with its long history of dodgy software?

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

LiamM — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:44:12 GMT

Hi Gus,
The UserGroup have been discussing the use of McAfee at length with Plusnet. While many of us prefer alternatives, when you're setting something like this up for a large userbase the commercials do come into play. I've used McAfee before and while it's not the most user-friendly and does seem to use more system resources it is absolutely better than nothing and I think the fact it's available free to many customers is definitely a good and responsible thing. There is also the fact that Plusnet are offering support on it through the CSC for those that find it harder to use.
McAfee is also much better than it used to be.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

avatastic — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:51:54 GMT

Are the CSC well trained for when McAfee decides that <random critical system file> is a virus, taking out the system to the point of needing a reinstall? Because it happens!

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

gswindale — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:56:10 GMT

Quote from: avatastic
Are the CSC well trained for when McAfee decides that <random critical system file> is a virus, taking out the system to the point of needing a reinstall?

Yes, but that could potentially happen for any Anti-virus product could it not?

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

avatastic — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:58:53 GMT

Technically, yes all and any AV products could fall foul of that, however McAfee have done it on more than one occasion, probably about once a year for the past 5 years.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Oldjim — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:14 GMT

Some detailed questions
Which version of McAfee is being provided
Does it use McAfee update servers or Plusnet mirrored
Charging £24 per year for Value customers seems a bit steep if it is per PC
How many PC's are covered per customer
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&expIds=17259,17311,26614,26788,26807,26885,27047&xhr=t&q=mcafee+security&cp=8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6452044886122995314&ei=aratTNOCMY6l4QaH7_35BQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CEIQ8wIwAg#

Quote
McAfee Internet Security 2010 - PC - CD-ROM - English
£7 new from 6 sellers
Licence and media, 3 users: OEM
McAfee Internet Security makes PC and online protection easy for everyone. This set-it-and-forget-it solution comes with award-winning McAfee SiteAdvisor web security, so you know the safety of web sites before you visit, bank, shop or trade online. This powerful security bundle keeps your family and your PCs safe from viruses, spyware, hackers, online scammers, identity thieves and other cybercriminals. With unmatched performance, McAfee Internet Security runs silently in the background without slowing down your PC, boasting faster start-up, shut-down and scan times. McAfee's security products use award-winning technology, are easy to install, and come with unlimited email and chat assistance. With continuous and automatic updates, McAfee ensures that you're running the most current security to combat the ever-evolving threats on the Internet for the duration of your subscription.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Be3G — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:01:12 GMT

It covers seven computers Jim – see the popup about it when you click the relevant link on the Plusnet homepage.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

dvorak — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:18:39 GMT

would seem a bit unfair that those of us on older more expensive legacy products would still be charged if we wanted to have it.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

bobpullen — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:01:39 GMT

It's not charged on all legacy products, only Unlimited, BBYW Option 1, Premium and Essential. All other consumer broadband products should find that they can add the service for free.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

dvorak — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:06:29 GMT

Why the distinction for Unlimited and Premium as these were top end products at the time?

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Steve — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:23:39 GMT

you should also post a WARNING about McAfee.....otherwise less informed people might actually install it...

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

thisoldman — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:31:16 GMT

well every time i log into plusnet my mcafee says that there is potentially unwanted and serious cookies
double-click and some others. these only come from plusnet site

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Steve — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:36:02 GMT

Tracking cookies thisoldman what browser you using?

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

thisoldman — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:39:12 GMT

ie 8

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

mrmarkus1981 — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:53:37 GMT

I'll stick with my Microsoft Security Essentials thanks very much!
Thanks for the free, ahem 'incentive' !

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

gswindale — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:26:14 GMT

Erm - are we sure it's free?
I'm on the Extra product and yet the portal states

Quote
McAfee Security, for £2 a month, has now been added to your account. Go to downloads page to download the software.

I've raised a support ticket, but thought I'd post here to see if anybody else is being billed for something they shouldn't?

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Gus — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:17:13 GMT

@geof looks like its Only free for new accounts

Quote
Free McAfee security
Get our Plusnet Protect powered by McAfee security package free

from the info page for new Extra accounts

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

Peter_Vaughan — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:21:38 GMT

Quote from: Liam
McAfee is also much better than it used to be.

I have to disagree... it used to be very good, especially in it's commercial format but over the past few years it has become mediocre at best and below average for detections and false positives. Like many of the good A/Vs and firewalls it has become more and more resource hungry and bloated to the point where I cannot recommend it for any systems. I have come across it in various businesses, especially as a support engineer and I have seen far too many PCs slowed down or unable to run some programs and the problems miraculously disappear when it is uninstalled!
While it may help in securing systems that don't already have A/V software installed it causes far too many other issues on the PC to not make it worthwhile. There are many much better alternatives, many of which are free like MS Security Essentials mentioned earlier, which I have used a lot recently without any issues, and I personally use avira for both speed, low resources and again no issues so far.
If you have to pay for it, there are much better alternatives around.

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

firkin — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:18:16 GMT

Aren't we forgetting something here?

Security update hits Windows PCs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8636985.stm
Who in their right mind would recommend McAfee after this debacle?

Re: Why McAfee as a free AV sollution?

gswindale — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:38:07 GMT

Quote from: Gus
@geof looks like its Only free for new accounts

Nope - according to the page on my portal where you go for the download

Quote
Plusnet Protect powered by McAfee (included)
A fully featured security package, including all you need to stay safe online.
Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware - email, chat and browse without worry
Firewall defends your PC from hackers and viruses
Identity theft protection and Anti-Phishing
McAfee SiteAdvisor® shows you website safety ratings
Protect up to 7 PCs
Go to downloads page to download the software
£0

Clearly £0
Not £2 as the link that appeared once it was ready for download claimed.
CSC don't seem to know what is going on either.