bit-tech Shopping: McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008 w/Site Advisor - 3-User

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows XP

Rating: 2

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: none

Weaknesses: freeze your computer and does not work effectively

Summary: This software is a completely a junk. I installed in my computer and it froze my system immediately. Even worse, I tried to restart and remove the software but I could not do it due to some stupid errors from the program. It said like I don't have the priviledge to remove the software even though I was in my administrator account. What a junk!

Rating: 4

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: easy install. free after rebates.

Weaknesses: slows rig

Summary: Its complete Internet security suite isn't as slowing as some others I've had. Kaspersky is the biggest hog. McAfee doesn't create huge undeletable backup files of scans like aforementioned product did. It was good as a free after rebate product. McAfee rebates are reasonably quick and reliable. I switched to just installing the antivirus portion of Kapersky and Norton and they were much better. It dousn't make much difference with McAfee Internet Security.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Price, relative ease of installation

Weaknesses: Confusing if you don't understand the settings and how to adjust them, user manual generally not helpful

Summary: I purchased the McAfee Internet Security 2008 because I could get it basically free (cost me sales tax only) when I purchased tax software (upgrade rebate, manufacturer rebate, etc. etc.) from one of those big office supply places.I've used MacAfee before as well as several other major brands. The problem with all of them is that if you don't understand what the settings mean, you have no idea what you're doing, how to optimize the package (so that the software doesn't become a resource hog), or what the different programs do. And the user manuals are no help in trying to figure it out - unless you already know a lot about the security software. It's like that greeting card that has the owner lecturing his dog in the top panel and what the dog hears in the lower panel (only her name Ginger). I tried reading some of these manuals and I was truly lost. Needless to say I still don't know what I think I need to know.To make matters worse, the product only comes with an electronic version of the user manual - which means you're jumping from one window to another to read the manual and then try the instructions out in the software.Even while the software was being installed, I was asked different questions about installation options. Did I understand what they were asking? Not really, but if they wanted me to okay that personal unidentifiable data could be sent to them, I responded NO.I know that it's necessary to have security software installed on my PC. What I don't know is if it's set-up properly. So MacAfee is as good as any of the packages from what I have seen.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: None

Weaknesses: slow

Summary: Slow the computer, and almost useless. It does work in preventing viruses and spyware, but what can you do on such slow computer. The internet security marketplace contains a number of exellent products. This is NOT one of them. Don't buy it

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: price, familiarity of product, detection

Weaknesses: uses a lot of resources and drags on system

Summary: I have ben using this product for a few years now, upgrading each year to the newer version.Although it does a good job preventing viruses and spyware, it really slows down the computer when searching for updates and scanning.I used to get automatic updates which searched every time I logged on to the internet but now do them manually so I can decide when I want my computer to slow down when searching and downloading updates.A full computer scan takes close to an hour. The menu is also a bit confusing to configure the program if you want to change the defaults.I am however happy with this product. It usually comes with a rebate so I can get it for next to nothing.