- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (30-day trial); $39.99 to buy
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows XP
- Date added: April 09, 2009
- Total Downloads: 5,412,841
- Downloads last week: 15,707
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 704 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
At one time this freeware security suite was ubiquitous, but this edition isn't for the faint of heart.
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008's interface strives to be novice-friendly, with cute green check marks and red crosses. Unfortunately, while the interface is novice-friendly, the program is not. Some advanced configurations are available only after drilling down two or three menus. During installation, McAfee asks for user input on an important settings question, but the small dialog box doesn't offer enough information to fully explain the ramifications of the settings.
Attempting to cover every security function, this suite handles more than viruses by adding a firewall, hard drive cleaner, disk defragmenter, and network security manager. By including everything and the kitchen sink, McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008 feels bloated and it used more memory than we would have liked. Help is convoluted, and there's a chasm between the novice and expert user. We simply found McAfee too complex for novice users and not as advanced-user-friendly as similar suites.
Publisher's description
From McAfee :McAfee VirusScan Plus offers proactive PC security to prevent malicious attacks, so you can protect what you value as well as surf, search, and download files online with confidence. McAfee SiteAdvisors Web safety ratings help you avoid unsafe Web sites. This service also provides security against multi-pronged attacks by combining antivirus and antispyware technologies. McAfees security service continuously delivers the latest software so your protection is never out-of-date. You can now easily add and manage security for multiple PCs in your home. Moreover, improved performance allows it to protect, without disturbing you.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 704 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 22 user reviewsSee all 22 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009
"Billing renewal locked in with internet purchase."
Pros: NONE that I could find in a year use.
Cons: Billing beware that internet purchase will lock you into a automatic billing update even if you remove the software.
Summary: I suffered with this software for a year. Retired I like to do a quick morning sign in and spend a short time checking finances. This software is the leader in task manager for memory usage.
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Version: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009
""Annoying update,poor/ slow scanning and..." Amen!"
Pros: It is free.
Cons: Can't stop updated, downloads or scans.
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Version: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009
"Annoying update,poor/ slow scanning and detection."
Pros: Free if you have scottrade account (up to 3 computers). Overall coverage (email, firewalls). Status report continuously tells you what's been doing (but since its slow, this keep on showing..)
Cons: Poor tray interface: cannot pause / exit. has to open the prog. Didn't detect malware that detected by spybot resident (teatimer), then STILL updating. This detected AFTER finishing update. hehe. Update long,slows system, Missed Trojan (Panda found).
Summary: on XP SP3. Kicked out, replace with with Panda, which after installed directly found Trojan in setup and exe. of Gamebooster. This downloaded when Mcafee was still active. Maybe the special edition better (direct update every hour) but if update be... read more >>
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Version: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009
"JUST AS BAD AS NORTON! READ PLEAE"
Pros: NONE at all
Cons: Hello i tested this product on a Virtual machine to find its detection is now WORSE than norton, the reason for this is it has no new technoligy whilst norton has just released 2010 with "SONAR" scored 17 out of 20 in detection, Mcafee scored 9 / 20
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Version: McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009
"Better than Norton Antivirus"
Pros: This product doesn't slow down the computer like Norton does. I've been using McAfree for over 10 years and never had a single instance a virus or worm get through. With Norton Antivirus, I had TWO instances I had to reformat my hard drive!
Cons: Technical support comes from India, but this is the most common contracted technical support for ANY computer product or software so this is NOTHING NEW. Even my cell phone has technical support from INDIA so this is nothing new.
Summary: Despite how hard it is to understand technical support-and keep in mind virtually ALL computer company technical support comes from India-despite everything I really trust McAfee. It does not slow the computer down like Norton Antivirus and I NEVER... read more >>
- See all 22 user reviews Write review
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