How can I tell if McAfee is working properly?

KG

I was going to download free antivirus and other protection for my brother's PC but it appears it already has McAfee.

I tried running updates on McAfee but wasn't sure whether they worked so I tried opening the 'McAfee Security Centre' from my desktop but this just opens as a blank window with McAfee branding.

In the wee toolbar at the bottom right of the screen I have a square with a yellow circle in it containing an exclamation mark. When I hover over this it says 'McAfee Security Centre: Your computer is not protected', but when I click on this it brings up the same blank window. This is continuing to happen after several restarts.

So - I am not convinced that I am protected and I am not sure what to do about it. I was going to uninstall McAfee and install the free protection recommended on this site, but when I tried to it told me that I had a valid subscription and, if this is worth something (not that my brother or I have paid anything to them) I was thinking maybe I should use that.

Interestingly, when I go into the add/remove programs process I can choose to remove VirusScan, SiteAdvisor and Anti-spam but the option for SecurityCentre is greyed out. Does this mean it hasn't installed properly??

Any suggestions? I'd really like to get fully protected so I can start using online banking etc.

KG

aliEnRIK

The trial period will have run out
The security center is greyed out as you cant remove it till everything else by mcafee is gone
Use the mcafee removal tool
http://majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html
as simply uninstalling can sometimes make a bit of a mess of things (Leaving registries behind and suchlike)

download the software you ARE going to use first though (Not install, just put onto your desktop ready for a quick install)

The fact its not updated in a while might mean it already has a nasty on it
Id recommend a run with MALWAREBYTES before you go ahead with internet banking
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&!!!!!button
UPDATE and SCAN with it

IF it finds anything, REMOVE the nasties and post the log here

KG

Thanks for the advice. I have removed McAfee, installed AVG and run Malwarebytes. No infected files were found on a full scan of Malwarebytes so I guess I am ready to go.

Thanks a lot for all your help on this and the other techie issues I have posted in the last few days. Much appreciated.

KG

aliEnRIK

KG wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I have removed McAfee, installed AVG and run Malwarebytes. No infected files were found on a full scan of Malwarebytes so I guess I am ready to go.

Thanks a lot for all your help on this and the other techie issues I have posted in the last few days. Much appreciated.

KG

cool

Looks like you are indeed 'good to go'

(Make sure your firewall is switched on though)

Marty_J

I'd recommend against using AVG. It consistently performs the worst in tests of the free anti-virus apps. Avira AntiVir and Avast have better detection rates.