McAfee Security 2009

At a Glance:  McAfee Security comes in with a good score for the Internet Security 2009 package. It's easy to set up and understand and quite effective at stopping the bad guys.

The Triple "E" Keys

Firewall:   McAfee Security's built in firewall is dead easy to use since it comes pre-configured when you install the suite. If you choose to, there are dozens of settings you can tweak to your techie heart's content. It does a good job of protecting your computer's invisible doors (ports) and that's the main job anyway.

Malware:  Active Protection is McAfee's newest scanning technology. If a new threat is detected, the software goes to the company database for an instant update and solution. This offloads some of the chore for your computer. This goes for antispyware too.

Active Protection is marketed as instant, second by second updates but you must be connected to the Net. In the real world it's fast but not instant. Still, it's better than minutes in a microsecond world.

Test files were successfully quarantined but only after an attempt to run them. The scanner did not scan zipped files in real time but did neutralize the threats when asked to scan the files themselves or folders they were in.

Overall, the firewall, virus and spyware scanning are very good.

Install/Uninstall:   Installation of McAfee Security 2009 is fairly simple but could be a little long in the download section for slower Internet connections. You do need the email address and password you used to create an account with them (which I don't like). Restarting the system is necessary.

Uninstalling is simple but you do have to use the Control Panel to do it. A few files and folders remain but otherwise the system appeared free of softcrumbs (files, folders, and settings that software leaves behind).

Setup/Use:   Setup is simple enough. There are a few steps to the wizard but nothing difficult. Most people can use the typical setup option to install all the components. Custom install is available also.

Using McAfee Security 2009 is easy, mostly. The Basic Menu window gives you all the expected information in an easy to use interface. I had trouble finding the scheduled scan setup but found it quickly with the help file. I think that should be a more prominent feature.

Once you get the hang of navigation, you can find most things easily. For tweakers, you can adjust many custom options for this package from the Basic or Advanced Menus.

Help:  Help is available in various forms: help files, in context help, phone, email, chat, etc.

Performance:  McAfee Internet Security 2009 isn't the fastest suite and could dog some systems based on my virtual xp pro test. New technologies like Active Protection should help lower resource needs in the future. With the exponential increase in threat mutations, we'll need all the help we can get.

Value:  This package is a good value. One license covers three PCs at home for $60 or less. At the time of this writing they were running a half price sale. That's a great value. Not bad, McAfee.

Bottom Line:  McAfee has its weaknesses, like they all do, but is still a strong contender and a good value. Its Active Protection and other technologies should boost its performance in the future.