McAfee All Access came with my LG laptop, it expires soon, is Windows Defender enough?

[Eliot Rosewater]

I read one article that it isnt enough as it doesnt update often enough to catch some bad stuff. But that article could have been written by someone at McAfee or Bitdefender or Norton and disguised as legit, no way of knowing.

I dont want to pay $60 to renew it if I dont have to.

If I had to remove it, could I?

Any suggestions appreciated.


p,s. everyday if I dont CATCH the popup that will start "safe search" when I restart the browser and unclick the box I will get what I assume is a new browser search and not the one I want and use, this is a daily thing I have to do, can I get rid of that permanently?

[captain queeg]

1. I just stuck with the Microsoft program that came on the computer

But about a year ago I decided to be way more careful about the sites I visit. Not just randomly surfing around. Seems to be sufficient.

[Eugene]

2. For basic anti-malware protection, Windows Defender is as good as many paid AV products,

especially for a single PC. The paid products start making sense if you want more advanced privacy protection like webcam, anti-phishing, etc.

You will have to completely remove McAfee antivirus and firewall for Windows Defender to work.

[JohnSJ]

3. That's what I use, MS defender

[Nictuku]

4. I would not want to only depend on Windows Defender

There are some free anti-virus programs available. One that comes to mind is AVG.
https://www.avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download#pc

I use Symantec anti-virus, which is not free, but my work allows me to use it on my personal computer because I connect to their network and so they provide it to the employees for free.

Before you install any other anti-virus program, you should first uninstall the McAfee.
https://proprivacy.com/privacy-service/guides/uninstall-mcafee-antivirus-software

Good luck! (and always be conscious of things you are clicking on) If you ever get a pop up saying your computer is compromised or has a virus, and there is a phone number to call DO NOT CALL. Shut your computer down and reboot, it should go away (unless you go back to the website where the popup originated).

Microsoft will never have a support number for you to call if you have a virus, that specifically is a scam. They might get you to allow them to connect to your computer, have you log into your bank, order some kind of security from you, then later come back and offer to refund the money (faking a refund with your online banking, returning too much money, then asking you for gift cards to pay them back) It is a nightmare. They particularly victimize older people.

When in doubt, don't click on it.

[Eliot Rosewater]

10. Thanks, I knew some of this but good reminder. I also have MB the paid version.

I guess I will try and remove mcafee now, thanks.

Is remonving it as simple as finding it in "apps" and clicking uninstall? If that wont work how will I know?

The link you provide offers that way of doing it and an app I guess from mcafee to remove it?

(I also have the paid version of Malwarebytes and only one computer. I have a 2nd computer actually but it is Win 7 pro (was my office computer for years then moved) and the MB wont update on it as it doesnt have some security update that I cant find, bummer)

[Nictuku]

23. I usually just use Control Panel

Control Panel (type it in the search bar), then Select Programs: Add/Remove. Scroll down and find Mcaffee and click Uninstall. A reboot will probably be needed to complete it.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. I dumped all the "trial" av stuff and just use Defender. Except...

I do have the free version of Malwarebytes. It has a diffent focus and can catch things Defender thinks aren't so bad. It also doesn't interfere at all with normal PC operation, which can be a problem with comercial stuff.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

6. 👆🏽 This.

Although I recommend buying the license for Malwarebytes. It's not expensive and with the license it will run in the background and offer much more protection.

[Eliot Rosewater]

9. I have the paid version of MB, forgot to mention that. thanks

[Wicked Blue]

7. I like Avast nt

[FrankTC]

8. Kaspersky Free Version

I’m using a free version of Kaspersky antivirus software. I looked around, and it was rated one of the better. So far so good. There are annoyingly frequent suggestions about upgrading to paid versions, but not nearly as many intrusive and disruptive announcements as I was getting from Trend Micro, which I bought and ran for several years.

[orwell]

11. I do this for a living...

...I only use Defender and have only used it for years.

The most important AV is between your ears. Follow all the normal precautions regarding phishing, handling email, going to marginal websites.

Unless you are in an extremely high risk environment, you should be fine.

For enterprises it may make sense to pay for an expensive managed firewall service but that is way beyond the scope of your question.

Also, and most important, do full image backups of the computer at least once a week with a product such as Macrium Reflect. Backup software and an external hard drive are very cheap insurance.

[Eliot Rosewater]

12. Thanks, great advice!

When you say high risk environment, can you be more specific?

Let's say I rarely do anything other than normal shopping, DU, mail, etc. Also banking, of course.

[orwell]

21. You are a financial institution,

medical office, government office, or other institution that needs 24/7 uptime and could possibly be the target of hackers.

Things like managed firewalls costs thousands of dollars a year for all the subscriptions required. You also need an IT person to manage it.

Backups are the cheapest and most reliable protection you can have.

Also, regularly change your passwords for information you want to be safe. I change mine at least once a year, sometimes more.

[BootinUp]

13. It definitely is in my opinion, only caveat

Is the system needs to be working well. One thing that’s helps insure that is to periodically start the maintenance cycle manually. Easy to do. Close all apps and give system time to settle down. Navigate to control panel Start button->windows system->control panel. Then select security and maintenance. Then expand maintenance and click on start maintenance. Takes anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending. The security and maintenance section you were at when you just launched it shows if it is still running or keep an eye on disk and cpu activity with task manager (right click on task bar and select task manager). Launching maintenance manually is the best way to make sure it goes through the whole cycle.

[Earth-shine]

14. Windows Defender is adequate for your needs, despite what some others might say.

You need more than Defender only if you have high-security needs. 99% of users do not.

All anti-virus programs slow your computer in their own unique ways. Defender is designed by Microsoft to produce as little load as possible on Windows-based systems.

Typical anti-virus and security software install deeply into Windows. Removing them is not always so easy, but maybe quite necessary for the continued health of the computer. The last time I uninstalled McAfee from a computer, some Windows files were damaged or removed. I had to reinstall Windows.

Reinstalling Windows ensures that you will not have foreign software on your computer, such as the source of your popups.

Better than security software, and necessary in addition, is a good set of backups. If you clone your system drive on some semiregular basis, you are protected from more than just hackers, you have relief from one's own potential mistakes, as well as bad "updates" from Microsoft. If something happens to my system, I can just revert to a previous version of my system disk. (This only works if your drive is easily removed from the system.)

[Eliot Rosewater]

15. I dont know how to reinstall Windows so if my OS is damaged removing McAfee I will

be lost.

[Earth-shine]

17. Yes. Uninstalling security software can result in damaged Windows files ...

... in particular for systems that have been in operation for a while.

I can't talk you through the reinstall here. I'll bet there are many YouTube videos that discuss it.

It's not hard. It's just scary if you've never done it before.

If I recall correctly, Defender came out with Win 7. If Microsoft had developed Defender years earlier, many of these competitor security software makers (Avast, AVG, etc.) would never have had a place in the market.

Kasperski was considered to be the best of them, until a few years ago when people in the US became paranoid about using "Russian" software. As far as I know, it was inconclusive as to whether Putin actually infiltrated Kasperski. But, many chose to stay away.

[Eliot Rosewater]

18. Thanks, I will PM You when I decide to do it and I will use my phone to talk to you on DU while

doing it, thanks.

Huge help, that would be

I assume I just start by trying to uninstall it in apps/programs, right?

ps

WEB ADVISOR by McAfee is also installed

[Earth-shine]

22. That's the way most software is uninstalled. But, it doesn't always work with anti-virus.

Yes, it's the place to start. See how far you get.

You should remove anything with McAfee's name.

But, remember, this process might (or might not) cause some damage to system files. And then the only solution is the reinstall.

There's probably a lot more there that you can also uninstall.

Good luck.

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. Part or all of Windows defender is currently off on mine due to mcafee, once I remove mcafee

if I can, does defender automatically turn on? Something I read said yes but I am not sure.

LOL I realize you said in that earlier post you CANT Help me, but I read can. Either way I am sure I will be fine, I hope.

[Earth-shine]

34. What version of Windows is this? It matters!

[Eliot Rosewater]

35. 20H2...does that sound right?

[Earth-shine]

36. It's a version of Windows 10. I've never removed antivirus from 10, but I think it should go well.

If it goes poorly, reinstalling Windows 10 should not pose much of a problem.

So, before you uninstall McAfee, you should make a Win 10 installation flash drive -- just in case.

* Follow these instructions to create the installation drive. (You will not have to enter a product key license number.)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Then, try uninstalling McAfee. See what happens. It may go through several reboots.

If Defender does not come on by itself, you should be able to enable it. If it still won't enable, you have the ability to reinstall Windows.

* When attempting to create the installation media, you might get a message asking if you want to upgrade the computer immediately (which bypasses the use of the flash drive). You might consider doing this. But first, stop this process. Uninstall McAfee, then get back to the process.

I think it best to ensure McAfee is entirely off the computer before reinstalling Windows (which we hope will not be necessary).

And, needless to say, make sure you have all your personal files backed up before doing any serious operations.

One of the nice things about Win 10 is that it will install all your drivers for you.

The advice given to you by Orwell above is very good.

[Eliot Rosewater]

37. Flash drive? Thanks, we are way past my pay grade now...Thanks but

if all this is involved my nerves wont take it, will be worth it just to pay McAfee.

I will think about it, thanks again.

[Earth-shine]

38. Stop getting all this advice, especially from that guy below ... and me ,too.

Go watch some YouTube vids about reinstalling Windows 10. It's easy and you'll like the results.

A flash drive is another name for a USB thumb drive.

We're all just trying to be helpful, but typing advice is probably not the best way.

Take a break. Go watch some vids. And then, get McAfee off your machine. It'll run better.

[Eliot Rosewater]

39. Thanks...

[lpbk2713]

16. Defender usually gets above average in independent ratings.

And there's very little hands-on required.

[ShazamIam]

19. I only use defender, because I decided years ago the so called protectors were busy scraping data

more than protecting it.

[BootinUp]

20. Before you reinstall windows

Consider that the software and drivers that come from the manufacturer will not be installed automatically. It’s a last resort solution not something I would recommend you start with because of a pop up that is probably just a browser addin that can easily be turned off or removed.

[Eliot Rosewater]

25. I am hoping I dont have to reinstall Windows because I removed mcafee...

I wouldnt be comfortable doing it, at all.

It bugs me these are sold this way...

plus Windows Defender is NOT in my settings anywhere, Windows Security is but I dont see the word "defender" anywhere...

wait...

Found it in something says "windows defender firewall" and I realize mcafee is running so it would be off, it shows

"private networks not connected" and "guest or public networks connected"

[BootinUp]

28. i think i misunderstood. you have or have not uninstalled mcafee?

it should not be a problem but we could try checking if they provide a clean up tool. and yes defender should come back on. if it doesn't i dont think it will be hard to get it going. i have learned a few tricks the last couple years.

[Eliot Rosewater]

29. Thanks, per above response I have not tried yet, scared that something will go wrong.

Feel like a hostage.

But I wanted to be able to turn windows defender on AFTER I uninstall this so looking for it where it is supposed to be, not there, but then I typed in a search and found the info above posted.

[BootinUp]

30. there is a cleanup tool.

it can be used after the uninstall if there are left over remnants that cause an issue.

but here is my recommendation.

1. create a restore point or take a backup optional
2. close all apps and let the computer idle a bit 1st till disk activity is low.
3. uninstall the mcafee and the safe browser
4. boot into safe mode, and open command prompt and run: sfc /scannow
5. reboot and confirm defender status.

6. if necessary use the mcafee cleanup tool.https://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Uninstallers/McAfee-Consumer-Product-Removal-Tool.shtml

how to boot safe mode https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-10-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

[BootinUp]

31. couple additional thoughts

i am assuming the safe browser came with mcafee, if that is incorrect then you can leave it. we will check for how to reset it or check for addins/extensions.

sfc /scannow, is a safe and recommended way to resolve many issues and its a windows built-in tool.

if you have bookmarks in the safe browser they can be exported or imported to another browser.

questions?

[Eliot Rosewater]

32. Thanks, no questions yet. But thanks, really. I am nervous so maybe i will wait till tomorrow

Googling how to boot in safe mode, think I get it...the more involved this gets the angrier I get at it being on my computer in the first place.

Yeah, I am gonna wait...if something goes wrong I guess I need to be able to take it to a local computer geek...

[BootinUp]

33. I know that feeling

sounds good. but i was pretty confident for you, lol.

[Historic NY]

24. I use Webroot, it covers all my devices.

I have others, but this is my primary.