The Tech Herald recently spent some time testing McAfee's latest and greatest, Total Protection 2009. As many home users know, McAfee is second only to Symantec in the personal computer security field. Yet, the truth is both companies could easily switch places when it comes to install base or user opinion. So how does McAfee’s Total Protection 2009 compare to those others recently tested in The Tech Herald lab?
Total Protection 2009 looks almost exactly like the 2008 version. This is a plus for some users, as the familiar look will help them navigate the menus and settings. One of the new features for 2009 is a technology McAfee calls Artemis.
Artemis is supposed to cut the time it takes to detect a new threat and release a signature down to a few seconds, or in some cases instantly. It does this by checking a suspicious file against a massive online database if there is no local signature. The database is a list of known legit and rogue files, so if the suspicious file matches a signature in the online database, it's flagged.
Installing Total Protection 2009:
During the test, McAfee Total Security 2009 was installed on an Intel Pentium D 3.4GHz (Dual Core), 1024MB RAM, with Windows XP SP3. Patches and other software were kept current on the lab machine.
McAfee Total Protection 2009 was simple to install. Users have the option to install from CD or from the Internet. The CD install requires updates, and was the option used during the test. However, subsequent testing showed that there is little difference in install time between the CD or Internet options. Total Protection 2009 installed much slower than Norton 2009, its top rival. The total install time from start to finish was some 15 minutes.
The install process is wizard based, so there is little room for error. Before completing the component installation, Total Protection 2009 will scan the system for threats. After the scan finishes, which takes just a few minutes, users will then create a McAfee account. One issue with the account creation is the limit on password selection. Special characters, such as the '&' or the '( )' symbols, were blocked.
There was no reboot needed after installing from CD during the test. However, once the update manager was run after installation, updates were downloaded that did require a system restart.
Updating launches in the background, there is no way to monitor the process except to follow the icon in the system tray. The little icon is there to alert users of updates according to the TP2009 menu, yet they'll have no control over what is updating, and are also unable to directly follow the progress or cancel the update once launched.
The update moved through the various modules (Virus Scan, Firewall, etc.) and completed in about three minutes for the first update after install and, on average, two to three minutes every other time.
Using Total Protection 2009:
Navigation and controlling Total Protection is easy to do. Anyone who uses Total Protection 2008 will notice that not much has changed in the new version. The main navigation menu comes with two views: Advanced and Basic. For testing, both were used, but for the typical user the Basic menu will likely do just fine.
The main navigation area (Basic mode) is broken up into three sections: Update, Scan, and a Common Tasks menu. Update and Scan buttons, each self explanatory, make launching an update or scan simple for the typical user, thanks to their prominent location.Under the Common Tasks menu, users will have access to the Home menu for the Common Tasks, the Backup and Restore options for file archiving, Firewall Lockdown, Network management, computer maintenance, support, and their McAfee account.
Starting with the Home section under Common Tasks, users will locate the heart of the security controls. Here they can access four subsections: Computer and Files, Internet and Network, Email and IM, and Parental Controls. As mentioned, this is the heart of the security for Total Protection 2009, and can be left as is for effective protection.
Computer and Files allows users to manage the Local Archive (protect files and folders and restore after accidental loss), Virus Scan, Spyware Scan, SystemGuard (prevents harmful changes), and Script Scanning, which prevents harmful scripts from running on the computer.
Internet and Network manages the Firewall and the Identity Protection services. Email and IM is where users control the IM Virus scanning, Email Virus scanning and anti-Spam filters. Finally there's Parental Controls, which worked great during the test and can be managed and controlled with their own submenu.
The Network Management section under Common Tasks is important to take note of if users have more than one computer in the home. This section will allow users to manage the security and status of McAfee Total Protection 2009 on two other computers, aside from the main system. Users are also allowed three computers per license.
The help offered for the various settings and configurations is extensive. A single link remains static in the upper-right corner of the navigation menu, leading to the help topics. There is also a visible support link, which can be used at any time. The support options include a virtual technician, an FAQ database, and live chat or e-mail.Read more:
Total Protection 2009 looks almost exactly like the 2008 version. This is a plus for some users, as the familiar look will help them navigate the menus and settings. One of the new features for 2009 is a technology McAfee calls Artemis.
Artemis is supposed to cut the time it takes to detect a new threat and release a signature down to a few seconds, or in some cases instantly. It does this by checking a suspicious file against a massive online database if there is no local signature. The database is a list of known legit and rogue files, so if the suspicious file matches a signature in the online database, it's flagged.
Installing Total Protection 2009:
During the test, McAfee Total Security 2009 was installed on an Intel Pentium D 3.4GHz (Dual Core), 1024MB RAM, with Windows XP SP3. Patches and other software were kept current on the lab machine.
McAfee Total Protection 2009 was simple to install. Users have the option to install from CD or from the Internet. The CD install requires updates, and was the option used during the test. However, subsequent testing showed that there is little difference in install time between the CD or Internet options. Total Protection 2009 installed much slower than Norton 2009, its top rival. The total install time from start to finish was some 15 minutes.
The install process is wizard based, so there is little room for error. Before completing the component installation, Total Protection 2009 will scan the system for threats. After the scan finishes, which takes just a few minutes, users will then create a McAfee account. One issue with the account creation is the limit on password selection. Special characters, such as the '&' or the '( )' symbols, were blocked.
There was no reboot needed after installing from CD during the test. However, once the update manager was run after installation, updates were downloaded that did require a system restart.
Updating launches in the background, there is no way to monitor the process except to follow the icon in the system tray. The little icon is there to alert users of updates according to the TP2009 menu, yet they'll have no control over what is updating, and are also unable to directly follow the progress or cancel the update once launched.
The update moved through the various modules (Virus Scan, Firewall, etc.) and completed in about three minutes for the first update after install and, on average, two to three minutes every other time.
Using Total Protection 2009:
Navigation and controlling Total Protection is easy to do. Anyone who uses Total Protection 2008 will notice that not much has changed in the new version. The main navigation menu comes with two views: Advanced and Basic. For testing, both were used, but for the typical user the Basic menu will likely do just fine.
The main navigation area (Basic mode) is broken up into three sections: Update, Scan, and a Common Tasks menu. Update and Scan buttons, each self explanatory, make launching an update or scan simple for the typical user, thanks to their prominent location.Under the Common Tasks menu, users will have access to the Home menu for the Common Tasks, the Backup and Restore options for file archiving, Firewall Lockdown, Network management, computer maintenance, support, and their McAfee account.
Starting with the Home section under Common Tasks, users will locate the heart of the security controls. Here they can access four subsections: Computer and Files, Internet and Network, Email and IM, and Parental Controls. As mentioned, this is the heart of the security for Total Protection 2009, and can be left as is for effective protection.
Computer and Files allows users to manage the Local Archive (protect files and folders and restore after accidental loss), Virus Scan, Spyware Scan, SystemGuard (prevents harmful changes), and Script Scanning, which prevents harmful scripts from running on the computer.
Internet and Network manages the Firewall and the Identity Protection services. Email and IM is where users control the IM Virus scanning, Email Virus scanning and anti-Spam filters. Finally there's Parental Controls, which worked great during the test and can be managed and controlled with their own submenu.
The Network Management section under Common Tasks is important to take note of if users have more than one computer in the home. This section will allow users to manage the security and status of McAfee Total Protection 2009 on two other computers, aside from the main system. Users are also allowed three computers per license.
The help offered for the various settings and configurations is extensive. A single link remains static in the upper-right corner of the navigation menu, leading to the help topics. There is also a visible support link, which can be used at any time. The support options include a virtual technician, an FAQ database, and live chat or e-mail.Read more:
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