McAfee Antivirus Review: Is It Good Enough to Use in 2022?

McAfee delivers excellent real-time malware protection and some of the most effective web protections available at an extremely affordable price. McAfee also offers many useful additional features. They offer coverage for up 10, and US users can get coverage for an unlimited amount of devices.

McAfee’s antivirus scanner received a 100% score in all my malware detection tests. This included Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS and iOS devices. It was able detect and block both simple as well as sophisticated threats like trojans. Spyware, ransomware, cryptojackers, and viruses.

McAfee also has many more features than the majority of antiviruses.

• Wi Fi Network Protection and Firewall.
• Anti-phishing protection.
• A virtual private network (VPN).
• Performance optimization.
• Password manger.
• Parental control.
• Identity protection (for US customers only).
• Secure file storage.

Most McAfee-related features work as they are promised. I was impressed by McAfee’s antiphishing/anti-exploit browser extension which blocked more dangerous sites in my tests than Chrome and Firefox. McAfee’s Wi-Fi and firewall protections are also superior to those offered by premium rivals like TotalAV and Avira.

But McAfee’s VPN isn’t my favorite. It logs user activity, it doesn’t allow torrenting, it blocks access to some popular streaming sites, and it doesn’t work with Netflix or Amazon Prime. However, McAfee’s VPN works well with Disney+ and Hulu.

McAfee is still my favourite antivirus. It comes with a high quality malware scanner, an extensive range of security features and an easy-to-use dashboard. And all this for a very low cost.

McAfee provides 1-year plans for 1, 5, 10 and unlimited devices. Unfortunately, this coverage is only available to US users. McAfee also offers heavily discounted 2-year plans (for Multi-Device and Family), making McAfee a very affordable premium antivirus suite.

McAfee Antivirus Full Review

• Full Review McAfee Antivirus Software

McAfee offers a range of security options and is a premium antimalware suite.

McAfee Security Protections performed very well on my MacBook Pro (and iPhone), as well as my Samsung Galaxy Galaxy S5 and iPhone.

McAfee’s 2022 internet security suite is undoubtedly one of its most outstanding — it’s extremely reliable, very user-friendly, and has a 2-year subscription plan that is among the cheapest.

McAfee Security Antivirus Software Features

Antivirus Scanner

McAfee’s anti-virus scanner uses traditional malware detection techniques, which are used to check files against McAfee’s massive virus database. It also uses heuristics, which detect potentially dangerous files based their behavior.

Before running McAfee’s virus scanner, I downloaded various malware files to my PC, including trojans, spyware, and viruses. Next, I installed McAfee. The scan was complete. It detected all of my malware. However, I have to admit that I wasn’t surprised by the result.

McAfee wasn’t my first time testing its scanner. A few months ago, I ran my standard series malware tests and McAfee received a perfect malware detection rate.

McAfee stands out as one of few antiviruses to consistently deliver excellent results against all forms of malware. The only other brands that can compare with McAfee’s performance are Norton, Bitdefender TotalAV and Avira. They all succeeded in identifying and removing all malware samples during our tests.

McAfee took approximately 1 hour to run a complete system scan. This compares to Bitdefender but Norton and Avira scans take just 40 minutes. McAfee’s quick scan also took less than two minutes. McAfee specializing in custom scans takes a variety of files into account, so it can take from a few to one hour depending on which types I scan.

McAfee’s scanner does cause system slowdowns. That’s the only thing I don’t like. McAfee scan my computer slower than normal. I could still surf the internet and use word-processing programs, but not be able to view a video or play any games. McAfee is able to schedule scans for you whenever you wish, so you can schedule your system scans for times when you won’t use your PC. Avira, TotalAV and other programs don’t have any impact on a system’s performance.

McAfee’s antivirus scanner ranks among the top on the market. McAfee antivirus scanner offers excellent protection against known and new threats. My only gripe is that the antivirus scanner caused my computer to slow down during a full-system scan. However you can schedule full scans in the evening or during non-peak hours.

Firewall

McAfee’s firewall is powerful and easy to use. However, it can also be configured easily. It runs flawlessly straight out of the package. McAfee identified a range of test threats during my testing. This included exploit attacks, network intrusions, and malware programs trying remote servers to communicate. McAfee firewall protection was much more reliable and effective than those provided by Windows or macOS.

McAfee firewall features a lot of security options — McAfee users can:

• Select which programs have access to the web.
• Open and close particular network ports.
• There are 4 levels of network protection.
• Modify trust settings for stored networks.
• Activate software intrusion detection.
• Whitelist certain programs.

McAfee firewall is very flexible. I also like that it allows me to choose from a variety of options. Users who are less tech-savvy can still set the firewall up to block suspicious activity, with little user input.

The one thing I don’t like about McAfee’s firewall is the lack of detailed logs — McAfee tells you what network activity has blocked but doesn’t tell what traffic was blocked.

McAfee’s firewall offers top-ofthe-line protection for network users. I really enjoy its program blocking tool and network intrusion defense. It also has advanced settings for tech-savvy people. McAfee’s diagnosis could provide more information about threats, but it’s still one the best firewalls I’ve ever used.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

VPN routes all web traffic through a secure servers, which encrypts all data. It also hides your online traffic. VPNs also hide your IP address, making it appear you are connecting from an alternate location. For example: If you are located in the US but connect to a UK-based server, you’ll get an IP address from the UK. You can then browse the internet as if your in the UK.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN makes browsing and streaming of content easy.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN offers 1,900+ servers to users in 41 countries. Although this is a large network, it’s still not as robust as ExpressVPN which has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. McAfee Safe Connect VPN offers encryption with 256 bit AES encryption. It is also equipped with a kill switch (Safe Connect), which can disconnect you from internet access if your VPN connection drops.

In my tests Netflix and Amazon Prime were accessible, but I couldn’t access Disney+, Hulu, or Disney+. I also tried other streaming services like Pluto TV. I was blocked from Crunchyroll. ExpressVPN VPN or CyberGhost VPN can be used to stream streaming services.

McAfee Safe ConnectVPN also blocked my torrent client fro downloading or uploading files in my testing — I recommend ProtonVPN as a top choice for torrenting.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN does have some positive aspects. However, there are also some drawbacks. McAfee Safe Connect VPN does not have a great privacy policy. McAfee Safe Connect VPN keeps logs about what websites you visit and your IP addresses.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN performed extremely well in my speed testing. While I was connecting to a US server, I experienced extremely fast speeds. However, McAfee Safe Connect VPN maintained reasonable speeds for browsing on distant servers in Europe or South America. Websites took about 4-5 seconds in Australia.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN’s interface is intuitive, speeds up on local servers are fast, and it works with Netflix. However logs of online traffic and IP address are stored. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow for P2P traffic and it is missing many of the extra features found in standalone VPN services. McAfee Safe Connect is a safe VPN that can be used for both streaming and general web browsing.

WebAdvisor (Windows Only)

McAfee WebAdvisor prevents exploit attacks, phishing and browser-based malware. WebAdvisor is compatible with Chrome Firefox, Edge, Edge, and Explorer.

WebAdvisor analyses every website you visit and detects exploit attacks. The program also finds phishing sites in a massive database that is constantly updated.

WebAdvisor prevented all phishing and exploit attacks that I tried. It found many sites that were dangerous and not detected by Chrome or Firefox’s built-in protections.

WebAdvisor has an optional Secure Search mode. This assigns color-coded safety ratings and ratings to your search results. However, it does not provide ratings for many sites. However, it does provide “Dangerous” ratings for some pirate websites. It also didn’t label any safe sites as dangerous.

WebAdvisor is able to rate links on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. In my testing, the link rating was surprising accurate. It labeled most of the links as safe. Additionally, it flagged phishing pages when a friend was hacked through Instagram.

WebAdvisor is an excellent online protection tool. Its antiphishing and antiexploit protections are superior to Chrome’s or Firefox’s builtin protections. WebAdvisor’s search engine, social media link rating, and search engine are great for those users with less technical skills who have difficulty identifying potentially dangerous sites.

Performance Optimization

Total Protection is a collection of performance optimization tools designed for web browsers and desktops. But it’s not easy to use. These are McAfee’s performance optimizing tools:

• QuickClean.
• App Boost.
• HTML Boost.

McAfee’s QuickClean eliminates cookies from your computer and other temporary files. You can access it only from the PC Security tab. Click on the “Tracker Remover” button.

QuickClean scan took less that one minute and saved me almost 2GB of space on my computer.

I particularly like how easy it’s to view the details from the QuickClean scanner— McAfee divides files into several categories, and provides drop down menus with the specific file names that will be tagged for removal. This allows advanced users to easily decide which files to keep. However, less tech-savvy users can let McAfee simply delete all the files.

McAfee Application Boost helps speed up your PC by allocating processing power to your open active apps. After installing McAfee, and then uninstalling, I was still not able to access the AppBoost feature. McAfee needs to fix this problem in future updates.

McAfee Web Boost Chrome extension prevents videos online from auto-playing. It can be useful to improve browser speed, but I found it annoying because it prevented YouTube thumbnail previews loading.

McAfee performance optimization tools are quite good. QuickClean’s junk removal is particularly useful.

Password Manager

McAfee’s Tru Key password manager is a good option for password protection, but it lacks some of the more advanced features that are available in the best standalone password mangers in 2022.

True Key secures and syncs user information in the cloud with 256-bit AES encryption. It also uses zero-knowledge architecture. This means that no one (including McAfee), can access saved logins. McAfee has a password manager that can be installed on Windows or Mac, iOS devices, Android devices, and supports Firefox and Safari.

True Key includes essential features such unlimited password storage across devices as well as credit card and document storage. However, True Key does not offer secure 2FA options. True Key can be used to log in from mobile devices using biometric scanning. True Key is not compatible with TOTP authenticators or USB tokens, like Yubikey.

Also, I dislike that True Key does not have security features like password vault auditing, password sharing and password breach monitoring such as LastPass or Dashlane.

True Key however is a solid password manager. True Key allows you to set True Key so that it will auto-fill passwords when you save passwords. You can also use True Key to automatically enter login information every time you visit a website you have saved (although this is a time-saver and not a great security feature).

True Key provides simple master account recovery. In other words, McAfee will notify you by email if your master password is lost. Dashlane password managers don’t provide such simple account recovery tools.

In general, I like the user-friendly nature of True Key. Although its features may be limited compared to other standalone password managers , True Key still provides a useful and convenient addition to total Protection . True Key allows you to generate and store unique passwords through advanced encryption.

Parental Controls

McAfee Safe Family provides excellent parental controls on Windows, Android, iOS and other devices. McAfee Total Protector plans come with Safe Family.

Safe Family allows you:

• Filter webcontent.
• Limit internet access to devices.
• Block specific applications.
• Track the device (within 10 metres).

Safe Family’s interface was intuitive when I tried it. I also liked that McAfee allows you to manually set permissions for specific content categories and add websites to block. It’s easy to schedule screen time according each child’s needs.

McAfee Safe Family ran well during my tests. It blocked all types of content, including violent games, pornographic websites and social media sites. Safe Family also tracked my searches (which is great for parents who want to know what their children are searching).

Safe Family’s greatest feature is its ability to track your child’s location. Safe Family allows you to track your child’s mobile devices within 10 meters. You can also send your child a quick update via Safe Family’s mobile app once they’ve reached their destination. I tested Safe Family’s location tracking with my daughter’s iPad. I was amazed at how precise it could track her device. Safe Family was responsive and more precise than Google’s Find My or Apple’s tools.

Identity Theft Protection

McAfee Identity Theft Protection offers real-time monitoring for a large variety of personally identifying data (PII). It does this by using Experian’s credit network and live dark net monitoring.

McAfee begins monitoring the dark Web for any leaks after you create an account. McAfee also monitors Experian’s Credit Network for any changes regarding your PII. They could show up on your credit report (change in address, loan application etc.). ).

McAfee Identity Protection allows you monitor:

• 1 SSN (Social Security Number).
• 1 driver’s license.
• 1 passport.
• 1 international bank accounts.
• Upto 10 medical IDs.
• Up To 10 email addresses.
• Maximum 10 phone numbers.
• Maximum 10 credit and debit card.
• Other cards (store card etc.) up to 10 ).
• Upto 10 bank accounts.

McAfee’s Social Media Monitoring also alerts you about privacy concerns with content you share via Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

You can also set Change of Address monitoring to keep an eye on any attempts to redirect mail. You also get Identity Restoration which is help if you lose your wallet or credit card. McAfee’s recovery team can help organize cancellations, refunds, and re-issues.

McAfee provides a variety levels of identity theft protection. Total Privacy Customers who opt out for auto-renewal have dark web monitoring for up 10 email accounts and access dedicated support representatives. Auto-renewal Total Protection plans offer 55 pieces of PII monitoring, which includes phone numbers and other details. Users who purchase Total Protection Ultimate also get access to $1,000,000 Identity Recovery Insurance, as well as $10,000 theft funds reimbursement coverage. However, Norton does not provide stolen funds reimbursement coverage for its LifeLock Select Plan, which costs more that McAfee’s plans.

McAfee Identity Protection provides a strong and affordable solution for US users who wish to prevent identity theft.

Additional Features

McAfee Total Protection includes many more security tools like:

• File Lock. Protects your files with a password and security question.
• Anti-spam. Anti-spam checks your email and filters out spamming emails.
• Home network monitor. Alerts when an untrusted device attempts connection to your network.
• Vulnerability scanner. You can be sure that all your programs remain up-to date.
• Secure file destruction. Writes over sensitive files that have been deleted so that they can’t be restored.

McAfee File Lock can be useful, but it isn’t able to do anything not already in Windows and macOS. The antispam feature might have been useful a decade earlier, but Gmail as well as other notable email services offer outstanding anti-spam protections.

McAfee’s home-network analyzer is my favourite. It shows a simple-to-understand network map that allows users identify and troubleshoot any devices.

The vulnerability scanner can also be a useful tool. It analyses all your apps and sends you a notification if your program needs to be updated.

McAfee’s secure file shredder can also be a great option. It can take files off your desk in just seconds.

McAfee’s other features are not always reliable, but it is worth noting that McAfee has a premium antivirus program.

McAfee Plans and Pricing

McAfee currently has 4 pricing tiers available for its Total Protectionplans. The Multideviceand Familyplans can be purchased for a great deal for those who choose to subscribe for the 2-year plans.

McAfee permits you to request a full refund for any of its plans.

• Your subscription will be activated within 30 days.
• Within 60-days of automatic renewal.
• McAfee is responsible for any malware that McAfee finds and removes during the term of your subscription.

McAfee plans offer additional features to customers who sign up for auto renewal (the VPN, ID protection, and Gamer Security).

McAfee Ease of Use and Setup

McAfee took just a few moments to download and install. McAfee offered to scan my computer for viruses immediately after the installation. This took just 45 minutes.

McAfee’s dashboard can be used in a very intuitive way. McAfee has three main buttons that can be found on the homescreen.

• PC.
• Web.
• Identity.

Clicking on any button will open a new window with the main features listed for each category. For example, click on “PC” to open the options for antivirus scanner, firewall, or software update checker.

By clicking on the buttons, you can access a wide range of options. Clicking on “Antivirus”, for example, brings up a variety scanning options.

It is so easy to schedule a McAfee scan. You can also access the VPN and customize firewall protection within McAfee’s desktop app.

McAfee’s parental controls, identity theft protections, and online dashboard can all be accessed through McAfee’s online dashboard. It’s also very easy to use and access.

All of McAfee’s features are easy to use for the most part. Although I did have some issues with the system tune-up, I found the McAfee dashboard to be intuitive and user-friendly.

McAfee Mobile App

McAfees’ mobile app, Mobile Safety, can be activated by either emailing or texting a link from McAfees’ online dashboard or downloading the app directly from your device’s store and entering your login details.

The interface of the mobile application is clean and simple to use. You can activate some of the tools using the buttons. The rest can be accessed through the menu at the top-right corner.

McAfee detected all Android-specific malware after a 10-minute scan. I was impressed with the speed of the scan. Competitors fail to capture files like rootkits or adware. McAfee doesn’t offer an iOS antivirus scanner because iOS apps can’t be infected using traditional malware files.

I was particularly impressed by McAfee’s Anti-Theft Protections. They include:

• Remote alarm. This is a way to remotely activate an alarm in case your phone gets lost or stolen.
• Continuous Tracking. You can opt to receive periodic notifications concerning the location and activity of your device.
• Last position. Notifies your about the last location you tracked before your battery dies.
• Thief Camera. Automatically takes photos of anyone that has entered your PIN incorrectly 3 times.

McAfee’s mobile app also has the following useful features:

• Secure media vault. PIN/ Face ID Locked Folder for Photos and Videos
• Back up contacts. Stores the contacts in a cloud.
• Safe Web. Blocks malicious, phishing and misleading links when browsing.

McAfee’s Android application has some additional features than the iOS. Here are some favorites of mine:

• App Lock. This allows you to protect specific apps with a Pin so that they cannot be accessed by anyone else using your phone.
• Guest Mode. Completely hides all private apps from your smartphone
• Keep track of data usage. You can see which apps consume too much data.

McAfee’s Android mobile app is among the most feature-rich on the market. It’s especially affordable if it’s part of McAfee’s Familie plan.