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[UncleUB]

Hi all,

I am now considering replacing McAfee when it expires.

I have been looking at various security suites and it seems to be a minefield out there.I know from reading threads/posts on here everyone has their own favourites.
I want a complete package which does everything,rather than having various components installed.I don't mind paying for it(I don't think full suites are free anyway).
Some that seem to get decent reviews are Bitdefender,Norton 2010,and Avira.
I want something easy to use and understand,any feedback comments would be appreciated.

[tuftedduck]

I do notice from your post on another forum that you are not getting any useful answers to your question about McAfee...............that is one of my pet hates, people who, instead of trying to answer problems as posed simply question your motives.
That does no use at all.

UnkyUb, you are familiar with McAfee and I believe you are happy with it.....could it be that this post is a reaction to being unsettled by the unhelpful answers elsewhere,

As an all-in suite, McAfee is as good as any other ( and the prices are all roughly on a par )......why not just continue with the updates you are getting now and come the due time pay your few pounds for another year's licence....at which time the next update you get will include the program update to the 2010 version.  

To answer your direct question......am sorry but I have no experience of any of the suites, and like yourself must rely on the various reviews.......but I would suggest is a very good one to have a look at is Comodo Internet Suite...........the Comodo firewall and av components are watertight as individual units, together they get top marks.

[HPsauce]

I want a complete package

It would be helpful for you to say what components are important to you as some packages are more "complete" than others.
e.g. some include "maintenance" as well as "protection" and some include "childproofing".

My current personal preference for a simple (and free) antivirus and antispyware package is Microsoft Security Essentials.
I then use the Windows Live tools for maintenance such as Registry cleaning.

[UncleUB]

Thanks guys

I do notice from your post on another forum that you are not getting any useful answers to your question about McAfee...............that is one of my pet hates, people who, instead of trying to answer problems as posed simply question your motives.
That does no use at all.

UnkyUb, you are familiar with McAfee and I believe you are happy with it.....could it be that this post is a reaction to being unsettled by the unhelpful answers elsewhere, at CA.

In a word TD,yes.

I found some of the replies unhelpful to say the least,telling me I must be crazy to want to pay for McAfee and to get this that and the other.This wasn't what I asked.I know a lot of the guys over at CA are very technical minded,but a little bit more constructive advice wouldn't go amiss especially to the novice pc user.

I am not very up on these things and McAfee is the first time I have ever had security software(Yes I know what you must be thinking)

@HP Sauce.

As I have no previous knowledge of other security software my answer is a bit vague,just really want everything that McAfee does,anti-virus,Spyware,malware,phishing,spam filtering..I don't bother with the parental control.

[jazz]

All security programs have their supporters and detractors.  As TD says, if you have been happy with McAfee why not just stick with it?  It's as good as any other and you already have it loaded and operating.  If you pay your annual fee then it will just roll on.  I used it for a few years (like you I got it pre-installed on a Dell computer when I did not feel very knowledgeable about security systems).  I finally moved away because it seemed to be taking up more and more space and time on the computer and by then I felt content to install free AV and free Firewall progs and have been very happy with them. 

If you like the comfort feeling from using McAfee and are happy with the price then stick with it.  All the commercial suites are about the same price and each year as new editions come out users seem to either love or hate them, then it's all change again the next year! 

[HPsauce]

phishing,spam filtering.

Those are (obviously) email related.
What email service providers do you use and how do you access them (e.g. webmail, Outlook Expresss etc.)

[UncleUB]

phishing,spam filtering.

Those are (obviously) email related.
What email service providers do you use and how do you access them (e.g. webmail, Outlook Expresss etc.)

Gmail and Windows live(web mail)

[HPsauce]

In that case McAfee is probably adding little or nothing re email protection.
Gmail is excellent at anti-spam and anti-phishing and your web browser will provide other protection in conjunction with whatever antivirus you use.

In that scenario I'd personally be very happy with the free Microsoft solution.

[UncleUB]

Just to update,

I got a great deal via McAfee,so I have just renewed for another year.....

Tbh I have been very happy with McAfee and didn't want go through all that un installing,down loadloading removal tools etc and then installing something I'm not familiar with

It was quite painless,just clicked on the supplied link,paid and then just right clicked the McAfee icon to verify the renewal...sorted 

[HPsauce]

Hope it works well for you.
I have to say that I rarely see McAfee going wrong; Norton on the other hand I regularly have to "terminate with extreme prejudice". 

[UncleUB]

Hope it works well for you.
I have to say that I rarely see McAfee going wrong; Norton on the other hand I regularly have to "terminate with extreme prejudice". 

Thanks HP.

[tuftedduck]

@ unkyUb........sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

You know McAfee and how it works, you have been satisfied with it and to continue with it makes a lot of sense.

You have avoided the hassle of uninstalling and installing something else........and have avoided the possibility that that something else may not have sat easily on your set up.

OK, you have paid a few bob......but that will give you technical support if needed.

Well done.  

[UncleUB]

Thanks TD..

Tbh I have been thinking about what to do for some time as you will have noticed with my other posts.I have read numerous reviews on different products,Norton/Kaspersky/Avira/Avast etc etc.

And no matter where you read there are many excellent user comments,but also many  bad user experiences for all the security suites.

I also know a lot of users have seperate AV/firewalls/malware/spyware software installed,but I am quite happy have to have all my eggs in one basket.

I am quite basic in what I do online and have plenty of common sense when it comes to opening emails/attachments.I also have a nucleus of websites I visit frequently and know that they are all genuine.

The only downside is the automatic renewal(at full rrp) if you forget to cancel it within 30 days of expiry.

[exo]

Most security programs will have good and bad points when compared, depending on the AV search engine. For some negative reviews, you have to remember there are some idiots behind the keyboard, so take with a pinch of salt.

You have made your decision for this year but as you have pointed out, you use common sense and do not visit dodgy sites.

I use the Avast Home free edition plus SpywareBlaster from Javacool and both appear to serve me well.
You never notice they are working until something is detected.

I also do the odd check with Malwarebytes' but it has never found anything untoward.

Never found a good free software Firewall though.........they have always caused me more problems than they are worth, especially slow speed performance in various programs.
As I use a router, I now just rely on its hardware firewall.

Just something to consider when your renewal is due again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained but it is your choice at the end of the day.

exo

[oldfogy]

Never found a good free software Firewall though.........

As I use a router, I now just rely on its hardware firewall.

Sorry to go off-topic slightly.

Prior to using a router with it's built-in firewall I always used to use "Tiny Firewall" without any problems.
But for added peace of mind I now also use windows firewall in-addition to the routers firewall.