Is the phishing filter really necessary on McAfee? it slows down the internet alot?

Question

I just bought a new windows vista computer and it came preloaded with mcAfee and the phishing filter slows down the internet considerably. is it that important? i am using mozilla does it have a built in phishing filter?

i know how to protect my self from phishing websites but this is my dads computer and he knows nothing about computers...

Answer 1

I strongly recommend everyone install McAfee Site Advisor or
TrendProtect. They indicate if a site is dangerous and protects you from sites that have spyware, adware, spam, viruses, browser exploits, online scams, and use your information to spam you.

I barely notice and difference in speed with broadband with it installed. Do you have broadband or dial-up?

McAfee and Norton protection suites are well known as being system hogs.

I was recently searching for a removal tool for a particular type of spyware on Google. Almost half the listings were flagged "Red" by McAfee Site Advisor. Many of the tools listed would only have made things worse.
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Install either one not both:

McAfee Site Advisor: Internet Explorer and Firefox
http://www.siteadvisor.com/
McAfee SiteAdvisor helps protect you from all kinds of Web-based security threats including spyware, adware, spam, viruses, browser exploits, and online scams.

TrendProtect™
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/free_security_tools/trendprotect.php
TrendProtect is a FREE browser plug-in that helps you avoid Web pages with unwanted content and hidden threats.

Answer 2

If you are smart, hopefully you can recognize the signs of phishing yourself. In general, don't give sensitive information to any website that contacted you by e-mail. Instead, open a new window and go to the website yourself by typing in the right URL.

Answer 3

While layers of protection are best, Firefox (eww) and Internet Explorer 7 both have phising filters built in that don't slow you down so much. If it really slows you down, then disable it.

Answer 4

Macafee sucks...so does norton....they dont really help you at all....in fact they make your pc more prone to viruses. They use up alot of background memory, slowing your pc down, and hindering the security you have in place making your pc a target for hackers...