Mcafee On New Laptop

[Apollo26]

My new laptop came with McAfee pre-installed and I don't want it. I've installed Avast antivirus but it keeps telling me that my firewall is off. When I go to turn it on, it won't let me turn on the Windows Firewall and when I say OK to the McAfee firewall then nothing happens (it says it is snoozed) and it keeps giving me the message that my firewall is off grrrrrr!!!

Any ideas from you clever folks out there?

[VHG]

Did you uninstall McAfee before installing Avast.

If not you should have done.

If your new laptop has Windows 8.1 on it then it already has some security software built in (Windows Defender which includes Microsoft Security Essentials) and while it is not the best it is probably fine for most people.

[HansUrbancka]

If you haven't un-installed McAfee and also have Avast, then you a will have a conflict which can cause continual problems of a serious nature. I once read of a person who had two AV programmes and his computer sent literally hundreds of the same E/mail to a single recipient.

McAfee doesn't always remove easily and if that is the position then you will need to use the official McAfee Removal Tool.

http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?lc=1033&id=TS101331

Hans.

[Apollo26]

That's great thanks, I'll have a look later when I get home

[HansUrbancka]

Perhaps I should have mentioned what happens with two AV programmes running. Each thinks the other is a virus and a continuous loop is formed

[HansUrbancka]

^^^Strange, my comments were posted before I had finished.

I was going to add that, if you do have Windows 8 or 8.1 the in-built Microsoft AV will cut-out when another security programme is installed and cut back in if the additional programme (such as Avast) is subsequently removed.

Hans.

[Apollo26]

Thanks again. It's 8.1 by the way. What would be the best way to go with this, I don't want to pay for my anti-virus and Avast has always suited me well in the past but should I just let McAfee do the job?

[HansUrbancka]

It's my guess that the McAfee is for a trial period of 60 or possibly 90 days. If so you will get pop-ups towards the end of the trial period which will be to persuade you to take out a years subscription at varying prices, dependent on how many Computers/Laptops you wish to licence.

At this stage you could go along with the trial, but it would mean clearing out Avast until you need it. Personally, I would get shot of McAfee right away and settle for the free Avast.

Alternatively you could remove both Avast and McAfee and trust your arm with the inbuilt Microsoft programme. I think you would be quite safe with Windows Defender to which you could add the free edition of Malwarebytes.

Whatever you decide to do, I would certainly recommend that you install the free edition of Malwarebytes which will Not conflict with any Anti Virus programmes.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/

Hans.

[Apollo26]

Thanks, I've already installed Malwarebytes. I'll have a go at getting rid of McAfee later

[HansUrbancka]

I'll await to see how you get on.

Incidentally, it is only now that I have realised that this is your first question in Answerbank. Perhaps you will allow me to say that it is a good question and I am hoping that VHG posts further and adds to my comments, because he is one of AB's top techies.

Hans.

[Apollo26]

Thanks for the compliment. I have been a lurker for a while but not posted until now

[HansUrbancka]

Keep posting because you are unlikely to find a better site on the Internet for advice and conversation on all sorts of subjects.

Hans.

[Apollo26]

I ran out of time yesterday and didn't manage to try until tonight and it's all sorted now. Many, many thanks your help, much appreciated!

[Apollo26]

I didn't touch Avast, I just removed McAfee. And I didn't check whether the firewall was working. Maybe I should check that later.

Thanks again

[Apollo26]

Firewall is on and Avast is running properly.

Thanks again for all your help!

[HansUrbancka]

Great news. Thanks for the 'Best Answer'

Hope to see you around more often in AB.

Cheers....Hans.