McAfee — Advanced Malware Scanning Engine

McAfee provides outstanding real-time malware protection as well as the best web protections, all at an extremely low price. McAfee provides many other valuable features. They provide coverage for up to 10, and US users are eligible for coverage for an unlimited number devices.

McAfee antivirus scanner received 100% scores in all malware detection tests. This included Windows, Mac OS Android, iOS, iOS, and iOS. It was capable of blocking simple and complex threats like trojans. Spywares and ransomwares.

McAfee provides many more features to its antiviruses than other ones.

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

McAfee has most of the promised features. 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 WiFi and firewall protections beat those offered by premium competitors like TotalAV.

McAfee VPN may not be my favourite. It logs user activity. It doesn’t permit torrenting. It also blocks access from some streaming sites. And it doesn’t work with Amazon Prime and Netflix. McAfee VPN works well with Hulu and Disney+.

McAfee still remains my favourite antivirus. It includes a powerful malware scanner, many security features, and an easy-to–use dashboard. All this for very little cost.

McAfee offers 1-year plans on 1, 5, 10, and unlimitted devices. Unfortunately, US users cannot avail this coverage. McAfee also offers highly discounted 2-year plans, for Multi-Device and Family. This makes McAfee a very cost-effective premium antivirus suite.

McAfee Antivirus Full Review

McAfee is a premium antimalware software that offers a range security options.

McAfee Security Protections performed exceptionally well on my MacBook Pro as well as my Samsung Galaxy S5 Galaxy S5 and iPhone.

McAfee’s 2022 Internet Security Suite is undoubtedly one the best. It’s highly reliable, extremely user-friendly, and offers a 2-year Subscription Plan that is amongst the most economical.

McAfee Security Antivirus Software Features

Antivirus Scanner

McAfee’s antivirus scanner uses traditional malware identification techniques. Files are checked against McAfee’s extensive virus database. It also uses the heuristics method to detect potentially unsafe files based in their behavior.

I downloaded several malware files, including trojans. Spyware and viruses, to my PC before installing McAfee’s scanner. Next, McAfee was installed. It was finished scanning. It detected all of my malware. It was surprising, however.

McAfee isn’t the first scanner I have tested. McAfee passed my standard series of malware tests a few month ago.

McAfee is an antivirus that delivers consistent excellent results against all types malware. Avira, Bitdefender TotalAV (Norway), and Norton can’t compare with McAfee. They all successfully identified and removed all malware samples during the tests.

McAfee took almost an hour to run a complete system scanner. This compares to Bitdefender’s time of approximately 1 hour, while Norton and Avira scans only take 40 minutes. McAfee’s quick scan was also less than 2 minutes. McAfee, who specializes in custom scans can take a variety of files into consideration. So it can take anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the type of file I scan.

McAfee scans can cause system slowdowns. This is the one thing I do not like. McAfee scanned my computer at a slower pace than normal. I could still surf and use word processors, but was unable view or play video. McAfee makes it easy to schedule scans, even for times when you aren’t using your PC. Avira TotalAV, and any other programs won’t affect a system’s performance.

McAfee’s antivirus scan is among the best available. McAfee’s antivirus scanner offers exceptional protection against new and old threats. The only thing I have to complain about is the fact that the antivirus scanner caused my computer’s speed to drop during a complete system scan. However, you can schedule full scans after hours or during nonpeak hours.

Firewall

McAfee’s firewall can be powerful, but it is also very easy to use. However, it is also easy to configure. It runs flawlessly right from the package. McAfee has identified several threats to my system during testing. This included exploit attacks and network intrusions. Also, malware programs tried to communicate with remote servers. McAfee firewall coverage was better than Windows or macOS.

McAfee firewall features many security options — McAfee user can:

• Specify which programs have direct access to the internet.
• Open and close particular network ports.
• There four levels of network protection. HTML4_
• Modify trust settings for stored networks.
• Activate software intrusion detection.
• Whitelist certain programs.

McAfee firewall is extremely flexible. It also allows me to choose between a number of options. With minimal user input, users who don’t have the technical expertise can still set up the firewall to prevent suspicious activity.

The thing that I don’t love about McAfee’s firewall, is the lack of detailed logs . McAfee will tell you what network activity it has blocked but not tell you what traffic was affected.

McAfee’s firewall provides top-ofthe line protection for network users. I like its program blocker and network intrusion defence. It offers advanced settings to suit tech-savvy individuals. McAfee might be able provide more information regarding threats, but the firewall is still my favourite.

VPN (Virtual Private Network).

VPN routes all web traffic through secure server, which encrypts all data. It also hides your online traffic. VPNs make it appear like you are connecting from an alternative location by hiding your IP address. For example, if your location is in the US, but you connect from the UK to a server, you will get an IP number from the UK. This allows you to browse the internet just like if it was in the UK.

McAfee VPN makes browsing and streaming content simple.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN gives access to over 1,900 servers for users in 41 countries. While this network is large, it’s still less robust than ExpressVPN’s more than 3,000 servers spread across 94 nations. McAfee Safe Connect VPN supports encryption using 256 bit AES encryption. It also includes a kill switch (Safe Connect), to disconnect you from internet access when your VPN connection drops.

Netflix and Amazon Prime were visible in my tests. I could not access Disney+ Hulu or Disney+. I tried Pluto TV, as well as other streaming services. Crunchyroll had blocked me. To stream streaming services, you can use CyberGhost VPN VPN or ExpressVPN VPN.

McAfee Safety ConnectVPN also blocked me from downloading or transferring files in my testing – I highly recommend ProtonVPN for torrenting.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN certainly has its positives. However, there are some drawbacks. McAfee Safe Connect VPN lacks a strong privacy policy. McAfee Safe Connect VPN tracks your web browsing and your IP addresses.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN performed well in my speed tests. Connecting to an American server was extremely easy. McAfee Safe Connect VPN kept me browsing at reasonable speeds on remote servers in Europe and South America. Websites took around 4-5 seconds to load in Australia.

McAfee Safe Connect VPN interface is simple, it speeds up local servers and it works well with Netflix. However, logs of your online traffic and your IP address are stored. Unfortunately, it does not allow for P2P traffic. Also, it does not have many of the features available with standalone VPNs. McAfee Safe Connect offers a secure VPN that can be used for both streaming or general web browsing.

WebAdvisor is only available for Windows

McAfee WebAdvisor is designed to prevent exploit attacks as well as phishing and browser-based malicious software. WebAdvisor is compatible Chrome Firefox, Edge Edge Edge and Explorer.

WebAdvisor examines every website you visit, and detects exploit attacks. The program also detects phishing pages in a vast database that is regularly updated.

WebAdvisor prevented every phishing attack and exploit attempt that I tried. It found many sites that were potentially dangerous, and they were not detected by Chrome’s builtin protections.

WebAdvisor allows you to use Secure Search mode. This option assigns color-coded ratings or safety ratings to your search result. But it doesn’t provide ratings for all sites. However, it does give “Dangerous” ratings on some pirate websites. It also did not consider any safe websites to be dangerous.

WebAdvisor will rate links from social networks such Twitter and Facebook. It was very accurate in assessing my link ratings. It marked most of the links as secure. It flagged phishing websites when a friend was hacked on Instagram.

WebAdvisor can be used as an online security tool. It’s antiphishing- and antiexploit defenses are better than Chrome’s or Firefoxs builtin protections. WebAdvisor’s search engines, social media link rating and search engines are ideal for those with less technical skills who may have difficulty identifying potentially unsafe sites.

Performance Optimization

Total Protection is a suite of performance optimization software for desktops and web browsers. It’s however not very user-friendly. These are McAfee’s performance optimizing software:

• QuickClean.
• App Boost.
• HTML Boost.

McAfee QuickClean will remove cookies and other temporary files from your computer. You can only access it via the PC Security tab. Click the “Tracker Remover” button.

QuickClean scans took less than one second and saved me nearly 2GB of disk space.

I especially like the simplicity of the QuickClean scanner’s details. McAfee separates files into various categories and provides drop down menus listing the file names to be deleted. This allows more advanced users to choose which files to keep. McAfee allows users with less technical skills to simply delete all files.

McAfee Application Boost improves your computer’s performance by allocating processing speed to your active apps. McAfee AppBoost was not accessible after I installed it and uninstalled it.

McAfee Web Boost Chrome extension protects online videos from autoplaying While it may be helpful to speed up browsers, it made it difficult for me to load YouTube thumbnail previews.

McAfee’s performance optimization tools are excellent. QuickClean has a very handy junk removal feature.

Password Manager

McAfee’s Trident password manager is a great option for password security. But, it lacks many of the more advanced features available in the best standalone password managers in 2022.

True Key securely synchronizes user information with the cloud via 256 bit AES encryption. It also has zero-knowledge architecture. McAfee and no other person can see saved logins. McAfee also offers a password management program that can be used on Windows or Mac computers, iOS devices, Android phones, and Firefox devices.

True Key has essential features, such as unlimited password storage across devices as credit card/document storage. True Key is not able to provide 2FA. True Key is compatible with mobile devices and can be used for log-in using biometric scanning. TrueKey is not compatible to TOTP authenticators and USB tokens, such as Yubikey.

Additionally, True Key is missing security features like password vault auditoring, password sharing, password breach monitoring, LastPass and Dashlane.

True Key is an excellent password manager. True Key allows you the ability to set True Key up so that True Key will automatically complete passwords when you save them. True Key also allows you to automatically enter login details every time that you visit a site you have saved. Although this is a time-saver, it is not a good security feature.

True Key provides simple master account recovery. McAfee sends you an email to notify you if your master password is lost. Dashlane password managers won’t provide simple account recovery tools.

True Key’s simplicity and usability are what I enjoy the most. True Key has a limited number of features but it still offers total Protection. True Key allows the generation and storage of unique passwords by using advanced encryption.

Parental Control

McAfee Safe Family gives you excellent parental controls on Windows devices, Androids, iOS, and all other devices. McAfee Total Protector plans include Safe Family.

Safe Family allows you:

• Filter webcontent.
• Disable internet access from devices.
• Block specific applications.
• Identify the device (within ten metres).

Safe Family’s interface was intuitive after I tried it. McAfee’s ability to manually set permissions on specific content categories and add websites for blocking was also a plus. It’s easy for parents to plan screen time according their children’s needs.

McAfee Safe Family performed well during my testing. McAfee Safe Family blocked all types of content including violent games and pornographic web sites. Safe Family also tracked and monitored my searches ).

Safe Family’s greatest attribute is its ability tracking your child’s location. Safe Family makes it easy to locate your child’s location within 10 metres. Safe Family’s app can be used to send a quick update to your child after they reach their destination. Safe Family’s tracking system was tested on my daughter’s iPad. It was incredible how precise it could track the device of my daughter. Safe Family was responsive to my needs and was much more accurate than Apple or Google’s Find My tools.

Protection from Identity Theft

McAfee Identity Theft Protection is a real-time monitoring service that monitors a range of personally identifying information (PII). Experian’s credit monitoring system and dark net monitoring are used to accomplish this.

McAfee monitors the dark Web looking for any potential leaks immediately after you create an Account. McAfee will also monitor Experian’s Credit Network in the event of any changes to your PII. They could appear on credit reports (changes in addresses, loan applications, 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 (storecard etc. Additional cards (store card, etc.)
• Upto 10 bank accounts.

McAfee’s Social Media Monitor also warns you about privacy concerns regarding content you share via Facebook or Instagram.

Change of Address monitoring is also available to ensure you’re aware of any attempts at redirecting mail. Identity Restoration provides assistance if you have lost your wallet or card. McAfee’s Recovery team can help arrange cancellations or refunds and reissues.

McAfee provides various levels of identity protection. Total Privacy Customers that opt out of auto-renewal get dark web monitoring for up to 10 emails accounts and access to dedicated support reps. Auto-renewal Total Protection plans have 55 pieces PII monitoring. It also includes phone numbers, and other details. Total Protection Ultimate buyers also get $1,000,000 Identity Recovery Insurance. They also get $10,000 theft funds coverage. Norton does not offer stolen money reimbursement coverage for its LifeLock Select Plan. McAfee plans cost more.

McAfee’s Identity Protection is an affordable and effective solution for US users looking to prevent identity theft.

Additional Features

McAfee Full Protection comes with many more security tools such:

• File Lock. Protect your files with a password- and security question.
• Anti-spam. Anti-spam examines your email to filter out spamming ones.
• Home networking monitor. Alerts whenever an untrusted user attempts to connect with your network.
• Vulnerability scanner. You can rest assured that all of your programs are current.
• Secure File Destruction. Writes to sensitive files that have been deleted, so they cannot be restored.

McAfee Filer Lock is useful, but can’t do what it doesn’t already do in Windows and macOS. While the antispam features might have been helpful a decade ago. However, Gmail as well other prominent email services offers outstanding anti-spam coverages.

McAfee home-network analysisr is my favorite. It presents a straightforward network map that allows users pinpoint and troubleshoot any device.

Another useful tool is the vulnerability scanner. It checks all your apps, and sends you an alert if your program is in need of updating.

McAfee also offers a great file shredder. It can delete files from your desk within seconds.

McAfees’ other features can be faulty, but it is worth noting McAfee does have a premium antivirus software.

McAfee Plans and pricing

McAfee currently has four pricing tiers to choose from for its Total Protectionplans. Subscribers who opt for the 2-year plans can get great deals on Multideviceand Familyplans.

McAfee makes it possible to get a complete refund on any plan.

• The subscription will activate within 30 days.
• Within the 60-day period for automatic renewal.
• McAfee has the responsibility of any malware McAfee identifies and removes over the term.

McAfee plans give customers additional features when they sign up for auto renew (the VPN, ID Protection, Gamer Security).

McAfee’s Setup and Use is Easier

McAfee took very little time to download. McAfee offered immediately to scan my computer and detect any viruses. This took 45 minutes.

McAfee’s dashboard can easily be used. McAfee provides three buttons to access the main functions.

• PC.
• Web.
• Identity.

A new window will be opened when you click on any button. It will display the main features for each category. To see the options for software update checker, firewall or antivirus scanner, click on “PC”.

To access many options, click on the buttons. Clicking on Antivirus brings up a number of scanning options.

It’s so simple to schedule McAfee scans. McAfee also offers a desktop app that allows you access the VPN to customize firewall protection.

McAfee’s online Dashboard allows users to access McAfee’s parental controls as well as identity theft protections. It’s also easy to use.

McAfee has many features that are simple to use. Although I had some issues during the system tune-up I found McAfee’s dashboard to be intuitive, user-friendly and user-friendly.

McAfee Mobile App

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

The interface for the mobile application’s mobile app is clean and easy to use. Some of the tools can be activated by using the buttons. All the other tools can be accessed via the menu at top-right.

McAfee detected all Android malware after a 10-minute scan. I was impressed by how fast the scan ran. Competitors can’t capture files like rootkits, adware. McAfee has no iOS antivirus scanner. This is because iOS apps cannot infected by traditional malware files.

McAfee Anti-Theft Protections was a standout for me. They include:

• Remote activation of an alarm. If your phone has been lost or stolen, you can use this method to activate it remotely.
• Continued Tracking.
• Last Position. Notifies You about the last position you tracked before you lose your battery.
• Thief Kamera. Automatically takes photographs of anyone who has incorrectly entered their PIN 3 times.

McAfee’s smartphone app also includes the following useful features.

• Secure media vault PIN/ Face ID Locked File for Videos and Photos
• Protects your contacts. Organizes them in a single cloud.
• Safe Website. Blocks malicious or phishing links.

McAfee Android has some more features that the iOS. Here are some favorite mine:

• App Lock. This allows the protection of specific apps using a pin to ensure that they cannot be accessed or accessed by others.
• Guest Mode. Completely hides all your private apps
• Keep track your data usage. It’s easy to see which apps are using too many data.

McAfee’s Android phone app is one the most feature-rich. It’s even more affordable if you have McAfee Familie.