Should I replace McAfee Virus software on my computer with PC-Cillin?

Question

I've been helping my cousin set up her new laptop before she heads out to college. She bought a Toshiba laptop from Best Buy. The salesman recommended she install PC-Cillin as virus protection. As we were setting up the computer we realized that McAfee virus software was factory installed on the computer. In order to install PC-Cillin we must uninstall McAfee. My question is which is better? Was the salesman simply trying to upsell or is PC-Cillin a better program? Will uninstalling McAfee result in voiding any warranties? Thanks!

Answer 1

Uninstalling McAfee's AV program will not void any warranties, but I would advise against it. It is better than PC-Cillin and you already have it, so there is no need to pay for a different one.

Answer 2

No, your warranty will not be voided by uninstalling McAfee.

The most friendly and efficient AntiVirus software is made by Computer Associates. In my 12 years of experince I've seen and used just about every popular antivirus application out there.

CA makes a product for Home/End Users called EZ Antivirus. In partnership with Microsoft they offer the software Free for 1 year at http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/. At signup you can choose 2 years for $19.95, or if you choose free it will be $49 at renewal time.

McAfee and Norton are the most wide spread packages out there but both seem to make PCs sluggish after installed. PCs I've used still seem peppy after installing and using CA Antivirus.

If your question is, which Antivirus will protect against all viruses? None, I've seen cases where McAfee, Norton, PC-cillin, EZ Antivirus, etc, etc will not pickup on some rare or wild viruses. If you are pretty certain you have a virus and your antivirus software is not picking it up I would get a second opinion(Run another Antivirus program).

Trend Micro has an Interactive Web Based Antivirus Scanner called House Call that can be used as a secondary in a case where you need a second opinion.

Answer 3

You will not void any warranty if you uninstall McAfee.

One legitimate reason why the salesman sold you another anti-virus program could be the McAfee installed is a trial license copy - i.e. one that will expire 30, 60 or 90 days after activation. To continue using it, you will need to pay for a new license.

I have used the major antivirus programs - Pc-Cillin, McAfee and Norton and I prefer them in that order. All of them works fine and provided adequate protection for me.

Answer 4

Spyware, Adware, Trojans, Malware, Dialers, Popups:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/...
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.download.com/Bazooka-Adware-and-Spyware-Scanner/3000-8022-10247782.html
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10379544.html
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/
Online Scanners:
http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper/freescan.html?
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/
Spyware, Adware, Trojans, Malware, Dialers, Popups List:
http://www.softpedia.com/catList/104
Antivirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/
http://www.avast.com/
Antivirus Lists:
http://www.softpedia.com/catList/1
Firewall:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=staticcomp_za
Firewall Lists:
http://www.softpedia.com/catList/97
IP Blocker:
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/peerguardian/pg2-050918-nt.exe?download
System Cleaner:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
System Cleaning List:
http://www.softpedia.com/catList/98
System Info:
http://www.softpedia.com/catList/92

Answer 5

unistalling McAfee will not void your waranties, but unless you have the disc to re-install, you'll have to purchase or download another installation to return to it. I hate McAfee personally and recomend Norton Ant-Virus or a FREE program such as Avast.
PC-Cillin is O.K., over-priced, and over- estimated. you were being HAD

PS blackfangz is 100% correct. I use Avast. as long as you use
your program intelligently and UPDATE freguently, you can
use anything you like.

PS ps I use AdAaware. too, its GREAT


OK, I'm done........lol

Answer 6

They both have their proponents, but the single most important thing about any virus checker is that it's resident, running AND up to date!!! I've had free ones, for pay ones, and I'm back to a free one. I update at least twice a day - paranoid but safe - and make sure it's active. I haven't had an infection since 1988!

Answer 7

Use these. They are free and they work:


Run the tool and then download the free spyware and virus protection programs:

Malicious virus removal tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwar...

Ad-Aware Free download:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/...

AVG Download free
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Good Luck
I never saw any use to either Norton or McAfee. AVG actually works.

Answer 8

hi, perhaps you can try Norton to remove the virus. but you need to pay for the software.

i recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar. firefox can disable all virus to run, because the virus can only run on IE.

besides, firefox can block any any poppus and disable any virus and adware, spyware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE. as you know, most of the virus is spread throught internet and webpage.

firefox is much smaller than IE, so i run faster than IE.

download firefox for free:

http://www.bernanke.cn/firefox/

Best Wishes && Good Luck!