BT and McAfee at the end of my tether!

[Fuzzgin]

BT have changed their antivirus provider (included in my contract) to McAfee from Norton.

 

Norton did what I always thought it should do. It worked quietly in the background, occasioally did a scan that slowed things down a little but not much and told me I have no viruses. I didn't notice it.

 

McAfee on the other hand, needs to download stuff 2 or 3 times a day, shouts at me if I come back from holiday for having ignored it (honestly, I spent a whole evening after a week away pandering to its damaged ego!) Slows down my computer every time I dare to use it with one of its interminable downloads, its scans render my PC unusablefor 4 hours, stops games that are timed every time, and last night stopped everything when I was chatting to my boyfriend online. I feel like it's not my PC anymore, that somehow I handed it to McAfee who let me use it at their convenience. And still it tells me every other night that I'm not protected. That's all I ask in return for all the hassle. Not much! (It's never yet found a virus so that's not the problem.)

 

I've posted to BT's forum about this (I was told to uninstall and reinstall, I remarked that I'm only prepared to do stage 1 of that process). Was advised to get a newer PC (Ha!) and I said at the time either BT get id of it or I'm walking at the end of my contract. Now I can't get in to my account on the forum.

 

Last night when it all froze during my chat was the final straw. I want out. I can't remember when I agreed to the year's extension. How can I find out and who at BT should I complain to?

[dx100uk]

uninstall it [either by its link or by CCleaner]

put on AVGFREE 9.0 and windows defender.

 

now, i think there is actually a link on the BTyahoo site to complain.

just dont ring if you dont like indians.

 

dx

[pompeyfaith]

Or use Avast Home which is also free to home users.

 

PF

[Fuzzgin]

I spoke to several very nice Indian call centre guys last night and on previous occasions and felt horrible for complaining. They were so nice and apologetic but couldn't help. I only wanted contact details to send a complaint. I've just used the complaints form on their website.

 

I'd be interested to hear ifanyone else here has had problems with McAfee. According to their forums ( can't currently get in) I'm not alone. Besides the response there is the same as the nice call centre guys they want to support it. I'm done with it.

[Alphageek]

It's just possible that you have Norton and McAfee on your PC at the same time.

 

Make sure you have completely uninstalled Norton.

 

Having said that, I would not use either of them!

 

Microsoft have just released a free and pretty good AV system: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ - I have it running on a few systems and it's working well so far.

 

If you want a paid for system, the best one currently in my opinion is Sunbelt Software's VIPER.

[locutus]

I'm running Security essentials (as linked by Alphageek) and i have no problems at all!

[Tezcatlipoca]

As others have quite rightly said, you are best stripping out both Norton and McAfee and installing something that actually works properly.

Remember that your contract with BT has nothing to do with what you choose to install or not install on your computer. BT might recommend things, but that recommendation is motivated purely by a profitable business deal with McAfee; not because BT actually know the first thing about the system.

 

Privately I build a lot of PCs, and professionally I run the IT department of a national company. The chances of me allowing either Norton or McAfee near any of my systems are roughly the same as the chances of Iran holding a democratic election.

 

For anti-virus, AVG or Avast are both admirable programs, and available free. I personally go with AVG, although neither is really superior to the other; it's just which you feel more comfortable using.

 

Remember that you should also run a Firewall. For this, I can recommend either Commodo or Zonealarm, both of which have free editions.

 

I can't comment on Security Essentials as I've not played with it yet, but locutus knows what ze is talking about when it comes to PCs, so you can trust hir recommendation of it.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Tezcatlipoca

[Fuzzgin]

OK, going for the Microsoft option. Thanks for the tip! McAfee's taking ages to go, of course.

[Conniff]

I have to join in with the othere, the Microsoft Security Essentials is great.