McAfee and MSE?

Petey7 said:

Don't run both on the same machine at the same time, if that is what you are doing. The can conflict with each other causing both not to run correctly and even cause you computer the crash or freeze. Not to mention make it run as fast as an Apple 2. Remove McAfee before trying out MSE. You can re-download it later.

If you don't fully trust MSE (I have no clue why people say all MS products must be bad but use Windows), then install MalwareBytes as a AV you can run on demand once a week or when you think MSE missed something. You can also run Comodo Firewall if you think Windows Firewall isn't enough.

Howdy Petey7,
Appreciate you take on the situation. I actually got McAfee because Comodo and Zonealarm free, both caused compatibility problems with Windows 7 running. Had the opportunity to get it at a good price. This is the first Security Suite I've owned that is not free. A friend had used the product before and said it caused no issues.
So that is how I wound up with McAfee. I would love to use Comodo and would consider buying it except for my issue with it. Used it for years on 2 or 3 previous Windows. Never hacked. Have in the past against all professional and semi-professional advise quite often ran two AVs resident. With a third standalone.
I have another install of Norton 2010, which on XP Pro runs great, checks downloads and advises about it's use and any problems. It is running Comodo.
It is probably bloated, but it seems rich with features.
So I may go back to just using McAfee until the subscription expires. I wish there was a way to run MSE and Windows Firewall and not IMO risk my system. I don't doubt MSE's user's honesty and veracity. Just have to choose myself and feel comfortable.
glennc

Corrine said:

glennc said:

I am currently using Retail McAfee Internet Security. I am happy with it, seems to function quite well.

But previously against common sense and other members excellent advise, I sneak looks into the Event Viewer. I've noticed some real protection McAfee processes stopped unexplained and then restarted. This in my limited capacity does not inspire confidence.

I am specifically wondering if I ran along with McAfee Security and MS Firewall and MSE that would create problems.

Hi, Glennc.

I've included in the quote above what I saw as key items.

What first caught my attention is that you are happy with McAfee. Although McAfee would not be my first choice, the bottom line is if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

However, then you went on to mention processes stopped and restarted. Can you explain what you mean by that, perhaps provide examples.

Lastly, you would positively be asking for problems to have two firewall and two antivirus software programs actively monitoring your computer.

If, as Petey7 mentioned, you feel you need another source of protection, I agree that Malwarebytes' Anti-malware is an excellent choice. (As you probably realize, others have different preferences, which are fine as well.)

Howdy Corrine,
You have a way of making my question more interesting. I can make it easier to understand in that I tried Zonelarm, Comodo and AVG Security Suites. 1st two (my personal favorites) were incompatible with W7 64bit for me. The third did not inspire the confidence I am used to as I said I prefer Comodo and Zonealarm. Next I will say that as purchased Security Suites go, McAfee would not have been my first choice. I had an opportunity to acquire it at a good price for a legal install and since my friend had been using it with no compatibility issues, that he mentioned I thought it would be a above good alternative. I have a lot of time on the subscription and it does not seem to cause problems. Except for the one noted that the Adminstrative Event Viewer showed an unexplained stoppage of realtime protection and a needed restart of that item.
I have been and I say this with a grin, bombarded with suggestions to go to MSE, by members who've help and knowledge have made an impression on me that it indeed may be a good product. Although not enough to run alone on my system.
I have and do run Malwarwebytes AntiMalware as standalone. I hope this gives you incite into the questions you've raised.
Thanks for the advice and your time
glennc

Petey7,
Thank you immensely for your valued opinion. But as a horse can't be made to drink, although closer I am not fully at ease, but as you see am moving in that direction.
Thanks for the link.
glennc

CarlTR6 said:

glennc said:

Petey7 said:

Don't run both on the same machine at the same time, if that is what you are doing. The can conflict with each other causing both not to run correctly and even cause you computer the crash or freeze. Not to mention make it run as fast as an Apple 2. Remove McAfee before trying out MSE. You can re-download it later.

If you don't fully trust MSE (I have no clue why people say all MS products must be bad but use Windows), then install MalwareBytes as a AV you can run on demand once a week or when you think MSE missed something. You can also run Comodo Firewall if you think Windows Firewall isn't enough.

Howdy Petey7,
Appreciate you take on the situation. I actually got McAfee because Comodo and Zonealarm free, both caused compatibility problems with Windows 7 running. Had the opportunity to get it at a good price. This is the first Security Suite I've owned that is not free. A friend had used the product before and said it caused no issues.
So that is how I wound up with McAfee. I would love to use Comodo and would consider buying it except for my issue with it. Used it for years on 2 or 3 previous Windows. Never hacked. Have in the past against all professional and semi-professional advise quite often ran two AVs resident. With a third standalone.
I have another install of Norton 2010, which on XP Pro runs great, checks downloads and advises about it's use and any problems. It is running Comodo.
It is probably bloated, but it seems rich with features.
So I may go back to just using McAfee until the subscription expires. I wish there was a way to run MSE and Windows Firewall and not IMO risk my system. I don't doubt MSE's user's honesty and veracity. Just have to choose myself and feel comfortable.
glennc

Glenn, most security suites do not work well with Win 7. I have seen many problems with McAfee. I recommend that you uninstall it and cut your monetary loss. There are some very valid reasons why security suites do not work well with windows. Here is one of our very experienced member's take on the subject:

My theory revolves around the enhanced security that came about in Vista when the user tokens were split. A "user-admin" account in Vista & Windows 7 runs with a single user token. When full admin rights are needed, elevation occurs via consent.exe (UAC) and the 2nd token is obtained for the particular function requiring full admin permission. Only the single Hidden Admin user account (SID = x-500) runs with both user tokens in Vista & Windows 7.

Certain system services run under the "Local Account". The firewall drivers run in kernel mode under NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM and can block local NETBIOS ports used by system services, resulting in APPHANGs, which after 30000ms, becomes an APPCRASH.

- Windows Explorer or IE8 screen background fading white
- small blue circle spinning endlessly
- The phrase "..Not Responding..." appears
- WERCON screen appears and asks about reporting, close program, check online for solution, restart the crashing app, etc...

In XP, all admin accounts run with 2 user tokens = full admin rights; hence the reason Zone Alarm, NIS, KIS, MIS, N360, et al., do not have problems. Only 1 level of security to deal with.

I have always held that the differing levels of security in Vista/ Windows 7 make it extremely difficult for Internet Security Suites to function normally (as in XP).

Food for thought!
J. C. Griffith

Hey CarlTR6,
I am afraid I don't speak modern adult computer and certainly not tokens. I believe you, from experience as many who have shown their knowledge and experience, but I question because of my own experience. Granted I certainly am finding 7 a much more intricate, daunting, picayune upgrade then on any system I've ever owned. Guess the power of 64 bit.
You all have gotten me ready to try it while remaining safe, but this method seems flawed. So I am going back to attempt to sit back for a while and just enjoy the marvelous enhancements over any previous version I've used.
Thanks for all the honest opinions.
I just noticed that much of the angst is directed specifically at McAfee and I may have missed that trend if it is true?
glennc

glennc said:

Howdy Corrine,
You have a way of making my question more interesting. I can make it easier to understand in that I tried Zonelarm, Comodo and AVG Security Suites. 1st two (my personal favorites) were incompatible with W7 64bit for me. The third did not inspire the confidence I am used to as I said I prefer Comodo and Zonealarm. Next I will say that as purchased Security Suites go, McAfee would not have been my first choice. I had an opportunity to acquire it at a good price for a legal install and since my friend had been using it with no compatibility issues, that he mentioned I thought it would be a above good alternative. I have a lot of time on the subscription and it does not seem to cause problems. Except for the one noted that the Adminstrative Event Viewer showed an unexplained stoppage of realtime protection and a needed restart of that item.
I have been and I say this with a grin, bombarded with suggestions to go to MSE, by members who've help and knowledge have made an impression on me that it indeed may be a good product. Although not enough to run alone on my system.
I have and do run Malwarwebytes AntiMalware as standalone. I hope this gives you incite into the questions you've raised.
Thanks for the advice and your time
glennc

Hi, Glennc.

I do not see one issue with McAfee stopping/restarting a service as reason to abandon a licensed antivirus software suite you purchased, has time left on the subscription and is doing the needed job.

A lot can happen over the period of time remaining on your subscription so I suggest you stay aware of the possibilities available for the time when you need to decide whether to renew the license or select something else.

I'm afraid that at this site in particular, you are likely to receive as many suggestions as there are responders to your inquiry. In fact, from a strictly personal point of view, I would not allow any Comodo product near any of my computers. I also am not a fan of Zone Alarm, particularly since Checkpoint decided to make the extra buck with the added toolbar. I have MSE and the Windows Firewall (along with my favorite WinPatrol) on 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate and am very pleased with the results. My 32-bit Windows Vista Ultimate has ESET Smart Security and that is working very well also.