I have been running McAfee for a year plus now. I got a very good deal for 2 years for what they called at the time "Total Protection". As time has passed they have been updating their software to the point where I am not protected like I was. I've been getting a number of notifications for about a year now linking me to their site where I would have to purchase more protection one stating "We found 11 breaches. Click here to get coverage". They want more money for more coverage I thought originally had. Over the year it's been that same notification-11 breaches. Something tells there are no breaches and McAfee is just hitting me up for more coverage. I do not appreciate what they are doing and I'm done with this. I called them up a number of times thinking these notifications might be scams of some sort. They confirmed they were theirs also telling me "Total Protection" did not include all they offer. When I originally purchased it I was told I was completely covered and there was nothing else I needed to get.

You've made comments Drac that you think McAfee isn't very good, you do not like it. I want to get a better antivirus and would like to know your recommendations. I guess that could be one you are using. Any suggestions I'm sure will be an improvement over McAfee

In my opinion, Orion, just about ANYTHING would be better than McAfee, mostly for the reasons you mention. I have a sneaking suspicion that if you ran a free scan from Malwarebytes it would find ZERO breaches.

I use the paid version of Malwarebytes which runs in real time blocking issues before they ever get to my computer and runs a daily scan. Alongside it, I also use Windows Defender which is the free anti-virus included with Windows. It started out not being very effective many years ago, but they have continued to beef it up until it is now quite highly rated.

Many people like Norton, but I find it much too intrusive. It's well-known for being overly aggressive with false positives. But it is also excellent anti-virus software.

Bitdefender is also highly rated. WebRoot used to be, but I think it's fallen down the lists of "best anti-virus software."

I would start by looking at Malwarebytes Premium, Norton and Bitdefender and seeing which ones suit you. Just remember that you already have Windows Defender already installed although McAfee may have disabled it. Some anti-virus software does not run well with it enabled - because there are two competing programs. But it runs well alongside Malwarebytes.

One other note... you may have problems getting rid of McAfee. I don't know if they've changed this, but you used to have to use special software from their website to uninstall it... after you were nagged mercilessly not to uninstall. If you do uninstall, I would use something like Revo Uninstaller to make sure all its bits and pieces are uninstalled from your computer.

I can add my two cents about Norton since I have used it from the beginning of my computer time. I used to love it; now I am starting to hate it. Yes it sometimes tries to block files that are "unknown" like when the Carol Reed games first come out but I prefer that to it just letting anything in. I believe it is still good protection but it has become annoying with those same type of pop-ups you are describing from McAfee. It is constantly telling me about drivers that need updating and how much "junk" I have on my computer and the sites that are tracking me, and wanting me to upgrade to use their tools to "fix" these issues. So very annoying!

I also use the paid Malwarebytes program which also tries to block some files sometimes that maybe don't need blocking. Mine does not set up for daily scans anymore for some reason (maybe I just don't know how to do it but it did use to scan daily by itself) but it is running in the background. I manually scan though.

I agree with Draclvr and olbroad, a paid Malwarebytes and Defender is all you need for protection, those two together and Safe surfing is all you need. And also Defender updates regularly and does not slow down your machine.

Oh, I also use Web of Trust (WOT) which helps me to decide if I want to go onto a certain website or not.

Oh, I'm so disappointed to hear that about Norton. I thought that other than being over-zealous about false positives, it was still a good option. The LAST thing you need to do is allow some 3rd party software to update drivers! If drivers need updating, go to the manufacturer only! Yeah, send us more money, please! I'd be running away like a flash - I hate being nagged like that!

I've never had Malwarebytes block something that wasn't incoming malware or a PUP (potentially unwanted program). It's never blocked files in game installations or anything else for that matter. To set up a daily scan by Malwarebytes, open up the program and select the dashboard. Click on Scanner and then click on Scan Scheduler.

Malwarebytes has blocked some casual games on me in the past, from both Steam AND Big Fish. Just Domini games to be clear. When it happened on the Steam games I re-purchased from Big Fish and it still happened. I did allow it though from Big Fish.

As for the Scan Scheduler, it only gives me "weekly". That's it! So I guess it does do it weekly but I like it daily.

I've looked at Malwarebytes and that Revo Uninstaller. Right now Malwarebytes is offering a very good deal on their Ultimate. It comes with $2 million identity insurance and has very good coverage for 33 cents a day. I'll get it

I'll use Revo to get rid of McAfee. I do not want to run into a problem if Programs and Features does a partial uninstall and then stops uninstalling for whatever reason. I want to make sure I remove all of its "bits and pieces"

My Windows Defender is up and running

I remember when Webroot or Norton came with new computer

Thank you Drac

EDIT: Thank you for the added comments oldbroad and Starcom

oldbroad, if I click on "frequency," there is a down arrow on mine which you can use to select how often you want it to scan automatically. Does yours not have that down arrow?

Sounds like you got a good deal, Orion! I don't need a VPN, but they do provide a lot of bang for the buck!

It has an arrow but no options come up. It just says weekly.

That's odd... I know you said you have paid version which you pay something like $45 for annually. Not sure why you don't have that option. I guess weekly will have to do then!

I will just put in a good word for Norton 😑

Like with most such stuff these days lots of extras are frequently offered as available and I do read about them - but I make my own choices as to which, if any, I might take on. (Usually none !!)

And as I’ve used Norton for more years than I care to remember, and never had a virus or any other security problem, I am very happy with it 👍

I would be too, Mad, if they hadn't started with all those pop up ads. Do you get them?

Hi, to change the Schedule time of Malwarebytes, open Malwarebytes, click on Scanner, click on Scan Scheduler, click on the line where it says Every Week under the word Frequency, then click on Edit (Picture of a pencil?) then you can choose your Scan Frequency.

Personally I leave it at weekly since the Premium or ultimate Mal... catches the baddies as it comes in, the only need for daily in my opinion is if you have the Free one.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, Starcom. I see there is an option to edit if you click on through. Mine had the options under Frequency and I do have it scan daily.

I've been using Malwarebytes and Defender for close to 20 years with zero problems too. So, I will also stick with what works - plus I don't get any of the annoying nags. THAT would drive me to distraction and I'd get rid of it in a hurry if I couldn't turn them off!

Ah, the pencil worked, Starcom. I had no idea what that was. It will not, however, let me put a time in there - just "when idle" - or am I missing something else?

I could not agree with you more about Malwarebytes, been using for almost the same amount as you and never ever had any problems with it. As for Defender I have been using it for several years, it took me awhile to have confidence in it and I am sure glad I did, as you say, No Nags, it's Free and blends in seamlessly with Windows.

Yes. They do appear, oldbroad, but I mostly just ignore them.

My Norton programme has two parts and I like the combination very much. I feel everything relevant is well covered 👍
(I started using Norton in 1992.)

Oldbroad, when I get to the next screen called "Schedule a Scan," I have Start Date, Start Time, and Frequency with a bunch of other options below with little on/off ticks.

You're a better woman than I am, Mad! Constant popups and nags would drive me nuts!

Can you actually do anything with the "start time" box, Draclvr? I cannot. It doesn't matter. This way it just does it when I start the computer up which is also when Norton does it's thing. Before I sit down to start my browsing and playing.

Mad, I just get tired of closing the boxes. They give the option "don't show again", which I use, but then it DOES come back again anyway. So far, it's not enough to make me change but it does aggravate me. (I find I am very irritable and impatient these days for some reason.)

Yes, oldbroad, I can. There is also a down arrow in the Start Time box which if I click on it, I can change the time.

I'm finding my patience gets less every year I get older! Little things like nagging popups are enough to drive me to drink after I repeatedly tell them to stop. Right now, I'm dealing with my ISP. They changed their email server which is fine. But they assume everyone uses web-based email. Yes, I have several Gmail accounts for other purposes, but for my main email I use the Office 2019 Outlook email application on my computer. They have ironed out most of the launch wrinkles, but I'm still getting a nag popup about certificate verification when I send an email. Their techs don't seem to "get" it and I'm about to go over the wall! If I wanted nags and popups I'd ask for them!

There, rant over! LOL!

That is weird because I don't have an arrow in that box, unless again, I am in a different area. But this is the problem - something that should be so simple - is not. Like I said though, it is just fine the way I have it set up now anyway.

Rant away, Drac!

When you clicked on the pencil did a New Menu Screen pop up? If yes, under frequency you click on the Down Arrow at the right of the pop up screen and there you can choose, Hourly, Daily, Weekly, etc...

I chose Daily as the frequency but cannot enter a "start time" like what time of the day. It just says "idle time" and I cannot change that, but it's fine that way.

Thanks!

As long as it works like you want it to, that's all that matters!

Once again I agree with Draclvr re: , take care Draclvr and oldbroad.

on another note: We are expecting some Freezing Rain here tonight, sigh, not even Winter yet.

I can deal with cold and snow, but freezing rain is just awful. Stay safe and warm, Starcom!

Starcom, it would seem that many parts of the country are experiencing winter right now rather than fall.

Great piece by Leo Notenboom on this subject!

Perfect Security is a Myth

Thanks for that Link Draclvr, very informative and a good read and Leo is right, No Such thing as a Perfect Security, we just do our best to protect ourselves.

Marian, we were lucky in our end, the freezing barely lasted and was replaced with wet snow flurries and a bit of rain, phew.

Starcom, I always say the best security is the person sitting in front of the keyboard!

Your Absolutely right Draclvr, unless one spends too much time in the Wine Cellar at the Mystery Manor forum then one looses keyboard directions.

Definitely !!!!

[It was a brief hailstorm for my area. And I got caught in it !! ]

LOL! Starcom, I have been know to dally too long in the Wine Cellar at MM!