How to uninstall McAfee 8 Security COMPLETELY

http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq3.asp?docid=408302

 

Thanks ky331.

That was a fast and accurate answer:smileyhappy:

I certainly will do that, thanks for all your help.

Glad to have been of help.

 

By the way, I trust that you're replacing McAfee with another anti-virus, to keep your system protected....

 

[And if it contained a firewall, anti-spyware, or the like, to replace these as well....]

McAfee is the most intrusive virus/spyware I've ever had to deal with also. :smileyvery-happy:

 

McAfee cuts of your nose to spite your face :smileyvery-happy:

I have looked into many of the anti virus programs that you are recommending. I am looking for an anti virus ONLY program. The ones that you recommend seem to include other features and software. Like TREND PC Cillin Internet Security 2007. All that I use is the anti virus portion. Any suggestions for an anti virus ONLY recommendation.

Windows XP  Dimension 8250   1Gb RAM  Seagate Eaternal 250GB Drive

Sherr

 

The documentation for avast! indicates that it also includes a "network shield" ---which can be viewed as a "lightweight firewall" (or more precisely, an IDS (Intrusion Detection System)), which provides protection against known Internet worms/attacks.   I would not consider this a "full-fledged" firewall, as detection of worm-attacks is considered a standard anti-virus function.   Avast! also includes a "Web shield", which acts as a "transparent HTTP proxy".   Are these features what you consider to be more than just an antivirus program?

Sherr:

 

You asked about recommendations for an AV a few weeks back, and received pretty much the same advice as ky331 gave you. As I look back, it seems you were concerned about extra features, in particular email scanning (which I do not recommend nor use).

But you will be hard-pressed to find any AV program that does not include this option ( and I stress the word option)- the industry seems to feel that consumers want and expect it, even though in my opinion it is a marketing gimmick.

 

However AVG Free, avast Home edition, and AntiVir can all be configured during installation to NOT install this option, if you choose the "custom install". (I can't speak to AOL's product, which I haven't tried, but I suspect it is the same). If you take this route, I can assure you that you will have a basic AV only.

 

The other "extra features" you seem to be concerned about do not cause any problems (and I've used all 3) and are options that can be disabled from within the program if you so wish. I really don't think you will find any AV that is simpler than the ones that have been recommended.

I use the Microsoft Firewall which is adequate. The lightweight firewall that you refer to probably requires me to disable the Microsoft firewall. Something that I am not about to do. In any case when the programs that you refer to are updated with downloads they probably include updates for the antivirus as well as the other featues of the program. Even if those features are disabled. In the case of PC Cillin Internet Security 2007 I receive downloads daily. They frequently take an unacceptably long time. And I have everything disabled execpt the antivirus. With PC Cillin I can not select which downloads I want. Also there is no control as to when the download takes place. You either allow the download or cancel it. But it keeps on trying to download. I assume that the other free software that you refer to is the same.  So that is why I am looking for a simple antivirus with NO bells and whistles.

Sherr

Sherr:

 

To clarify, when you first asked for an anti-virus program "only", I interpreted that to mean an "independent" anti-virus product, as opposed to a complete "security suite" --- the latter could also include a firewall, anti-spyware program, and perhaps other security "products".   In other words, I didn't realize that what you're actually looking for is a "bare bones" anti-virus program, which doesn't even include e-mail checking.

 

Since the avast! "lightweight" firewall is not a true, full-fledged firewall, I would speculate that it would not interfere with Windows firewall.   Perhaps Joe53, who has experience with avast, could chime-in with his results.   But I agree with you, that I would not turn-off windows firewall in favor of a "lightweight" one.

 

I can speak with first-hand experience about AVG anti-virus.   I get automatic updates on a once-daily basis, and can check for additional updates (if any) as frequently as I make the effort to manually update.

The typical size of a definition-update file is between 4k and 250k... which on a DSL connection usually downloads before I can blink an eye.   Even when I was using dial-up, it usually took well-under a minute.

Every once and a while, they also have a program-update, which can be anywhere from 600k to 2500k (and yes, larger -- a few Meg --- if it's a MAJOR update).   On DSL, even this should take just  a minute or two.   Dial-up might run 10 to 30 minutes.

 

Are you still using dial-up?   DSL?  or some other kind of cable?

 

Is you download "speed" problem only with the PC-cillan??  How large (kb) are their files?   Perhaps you're running some other programs that are conflicting with PC-cillan, causing things to slow down?

I am using DSL. About 10 percent of the time download  is slow. It appears as though the AVAST shortcoming could be their lightweight firewall. But I'll look into that further. My PC Cillin subscription runs out in a few months so I have time to select an antivirus ONLY program. I also run Windows Defender and Ad Aware and Microsoft Firewall. So there is nothing else I require. My additional requirements are the ability to allow the download and to get a description of the download. Basically  something similar to Windows update. It's my impression that any security software that has a secutitry suite will always download updates for the entire suite regardless of what I have enabled. I don't know the file size. How do I get that info.

 Thanks for the assistance.

Sherr

 

 

if you're asking me for the size of the Trend Micro files, I don't use their program, so I don't know where to find that information.... you'll just have to find that on your own.

 

As for AVG [which I'll continue to talk about, only since i'm most familiar with it]. they have an update page [for the PAID version] here:

 

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/32/us/crp/0

 

They offer "mini" updates, "micro" updates, and "incremental" updates.

 

Looking at their page at this instant [which may change at any moment], it's currently showing 3 different sizes for the 268.18. 22 "micro" definition update:

 

130.5 kb, if you have version 268. 18.0 installed (which is the most recent "mini" update)

666.7 kb, if you have version 268.  0.0 installed (i.e., if your "mini" is not up to date)

5.7 Mb, if you have anything older installed (if you're "way" out of date)

 

By updating regularly (i.e., daily), you should continue to get the smallest available updates at any given time.

 

You might want to test your DSL bandwidth, to confirm you're getting what you're supposed to... there are several test sites, such as

http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html

 

My DSL is rated at 768Kbps max, and the test typically indicates I'm actually getting about 650Kbps

 

I'm also wondering if you're running some other programs, or combination of programs, that are interfering with each other, and slowing things down.    Unless you're certain that everything is "perfect", you might consider posting a HiJackThis log in the HJT forum, so someone there can analyze what's actually running.

Are you using AVG FREE or PROFESSIONAL. Do you have the E-Mail screed disabled. Thanks again.

Sherr