I know these threads come up often, but the answers can change quickly, so I'll ask again. I'm running Windows 7 on home computer. Original McAfee has run out and I want to replace it anyway (I know it can be difficult to un-install; advice/procedure?). What's my best option/combination for simple, free (or at least cheap) security? I do run Anti-Malware Bytes and CCleaner periodically. TIA.

Use REVO UNINSTALLER to get rid of McAfee when you have selected your new antivirus.

Why not just use M/S security essentials? It is free and does a decent job. If revo uninstaller fails you might want to check McAfees site and see if they have an uninstall tool, I know Norton does and that is the only way you can get completely rid of it.

I`m quite happy with Avast Free.
My combo has Superantispyware instead of your MalwareBytes, but I also run CCleaner regularly and Privazer free once in a while when I want to get rid of the Windows Update clutter.

0-0

Avast for me. You can get it for free, but I tend to pay for it anyway as it's only $20 I think during one of their "specials", lol. I think it's $20 well spent. Someone has to pay for it.

get either ESET or Avast

get rid of McAfee...

Windows 7 is a great operating system

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:

Windows 7 is a great operating system

But technically unsupported for the past 6 years. (A Mac user by choice, I have an old Win7 laptop I keep just because it still runs. Oddly enough, I still get updates for it from Microsoft!).

Avast Free and SuperAntiSpyware. ESET is good also.

quote:

Originally posted by SIG 229R:
Why not just use M/S security essentials? It is free and does a decent job.

Only half that is right. It used to do, not just a decent job, but a good job. That hasn't been true for a couple years or more.

In the few incidents we had get by the border at work, MSSE detected none of them. I even re-installed and updated it on a machine, quarantined it, and purposely infected it by way of a known compromised thumb drive, one time. Nary a peep from MSSE.

We had machines that had been in Asia on sales trips brought to us before being allowed access to the LAN. Owned seven ways from Sunday. MSSE installed on all of them. Detected none of it.

I still have it on my personal MS-Win7 laptop, because it was already there. But I rarely use that laptop at all, much less boot into MS-Win7 on it, so it doesn't really much matter.

Used to be Kaspersky rated the best, IMO. But there are questions about their behaviour. My 2nd vote would go to ESET, I think.

You need a special mcafee removal software tool to remove mcafee. I had to call dell to get help as I couldn't remove it and they downloaded a software. I'm not sure if it came from Mcafee itself.

I found the link. It looks like it's from McAfee directly.

Avast free and...

Set up another user to do your normal surfing and normal non-admin stuff (admin stuff being installing software mainly.) Do NOT give this use admin privileges.

Password protect the admin account (usually the main account Windows makes you set up.) Don't use this normally. Don't forget the password.

If you do tiptoe through some poisoned tulips in a non-admin account, and Avast didn't pick up the malware, without being logged in as an admin, the malware shouldn't be able to install itself.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Use REVO UNINSTALLER to get rid of McAfee when you have selected your new antivirus.

I have the paid version of REVO and it didn't remove McAfee for me.

Thanks, all, for the replies.

BBMW, yes, I've got things set up the way you describe; my admin is different from my day-to-day user.

Your isp may very well offer a name brand antivirus for free. I’d check with them first.

I just want to confirm that Windows Security is inadequate. After my McAfee subscription ended Marc 1; I uninstalled it (actually had Dell uninstall it for me) and switched to Windows Defender. I don’t go to porn or questionable sites but I started seeing my Chrome lag when I’m typing and right click menus not showing. Followed all the Internet advice on how to speed up Chrome. Reset and complete removal of plugins would work but only temporarily.

Had Dell do a virus check and they found one malware with a name like remote jamming and 2 spyware.

I went and paid for Bitdefender as I said I was going to do in another thread. I like the effectiveness and low resource load scores. But for the money, it’s a complete suite with theft/loss protection of 5 devices such as phones, secure online banking browser, password manager, encrypted vault creator, backup software, etc. Too bad I had already separately bought backup and encryption software.

I've been happy with Kaspersky Total Security for many years.

Fry's always has it on sale. 5 Computers for 1 Year.

This week it is down to $15, after rebates, discounts and usually free shipping. Signing up for their e-mails gets additional weekly discount codes.

quote:

Originally posted by amals:
I know these threads come up often, but the answers can change quickly, so I'll ask again. I'm running Windows 7 on home computer. Original McAfee has run out and I want to replace it anyway (I know it can be difficult to un-install; advice/procedure?). What's my best option/combination for simple, free (or at least cheap) security? I do run Anti-Malware Bytes and CCleaner periodically. TIA.

Get off of that old OS and install Windows 10. The OS alone will make a huge difference. Otherwise I have used AVAST for years without issue. I would also never run "CCLEANER" unless you were in some desperate situation.