Ok, heres the deal!
Pros: First, I won't describe this suite like others have, "the best, awesome, great. better then the others, top dog, etc". what I'll do is explain as briefly as I can why I kept it. I've been trying to use Vista now for one full year and it hasn't been pretty. It's easily corrupted and SP-1 for Vista destroyed my system. Through trial and many errors I think I finally got it. I bought a new Dell XPS 420 gaming desktop with a G-Force 8800 GT video card and a core duo E6850 3.0GHz chip. Although I specifically stated "no security" the factory slipped and it came with a 15 month subscription of McAfee 2008.
The suite is a compilation of their best from 2007, a new virus scan,v12, security center v8, firewall v9, anti-spam v9 and privacy service v10. The GUI has been re-designed, the firewall is configurable and asks but remembers your answers.
With a virus rating of just over 91%, I had some concern due to my poor internet habits but it's turned out to be OK.
I also use Norton Ghost and an external hard drive, just in case. The problems there are, the ghost recovery console doesn't support the firewall driver in my two favorite security suites, Kaspersky and ESET Smart Security. It does recognize and can recover all McAfee drivers and it really works. Important to me considering what I've been through with Vista.
Like I said, Vista can be messed up in a heartbeat, Trust me, I've installed it 50+ times, om my computers and friends computers. So, I decided to leave it be and have not been sorry. I gave it some solid partners though. The new Spy Sweeper (Vista version) and Spy Emergency 2008. I'll add Bit Defender Free when a Vista version becomes available. The bottom line with me is, if you are using Vista and this suite is pre-installed or your looking for one that runs fine on Vista, this is a good choice.
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Cons: It's hell to uninstall. The removal tool doesn't work all the time. Should you decide to change, Revo Uninstaller can handle the job. It detects cookies and a few items that aren't real threats. The initial scan is slow. It takes time to figure out all it's settings and features. Maybe 30 minutes. The virus scan will never quite measure up to KAV or Antivir Premium but it does a good job. Hell, Trend Micro failed virus testing and like AVG, isn't even listed at AV comparatives. McAfee is.
Posted: 15-Apr-2008 05:59:30 PM
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