McAfee VirusScan 6.0

McAfee VirusScan 6.0

(166 customer reviews)

Every computer that's used for e-mail and Internet browsing needs an antivirus program. There are dozens to choose from, and McAfee VirusScan 6.0 is a solid and feature-rich option. Unfortunately, a frustrating interface and minor technical glitches keep VirusScan 6.0 from reaching the lofty, user-friendly peak inhabited by the superior Norton Antivirus.
VirusScan 6.0 had a few minor issues from the onset. For one of our test installations, we upgraded a Windows 2000-based PC from VirusScan 5.x and it didn't go smoothly. The installer attempted to uninstall the earlier version, generated an error, and afterward it was impossible to automatically uninstall version 5.x through the Windows Control Panel Add/Remove applet.
Meanwhile, on a Windows XP machine, we performed a clean VirusScan 6.0 installation to a location on our E drive. Unfortunately, each time we started Outlook 2000, it generated errors indicating that it couldn't find the McAfee e-mail scanning add-on, although it had been configured to look in the default location on the C drive.
Lastly, HAWK, a module that looks for suspicious activity to detect viruses that McAfee isn't yet aware of, caused Outlook XP to error and shut down when we tried to open several safe, non-infected e-mails.
Judging from past experience, McAfee will probably iron out most of the technical issues and incompatibilities with a series of timely updates.
Like several of the latest McAfee products, VirusScan 6.0 presents users with an HTML-style interface, complete with Forward, Back, and Home buttons. McAfee was aiming for intuitiveness, and truly amateur users might find it. But most Windows users are probably more familiar with conventional pull-down menus and shortcut bars. The page- and shortcut-based interface makes it frustrating to locate options quickly.
But beneath the minor glitches and the ugly interface lies a powerful, comprehensive antivirus program. McAfee VirusScan 6.0 had no trouble detecting and neutralizing dozens of common viruses we threw at it. It offers to take a number of actions upon discovering one: an infected file can be repaired (if possible, depending on the nature of the virus), deleted, ignored, or quarantined, which means it's placed in a special folder that effectively isolates it from the rest of the hard drive.
McAfee's generous feature set and pocketbook-friendly price are both commendable. Its technical issues and goofy interface, however, are not. VirusScan 6.0 is a solid product that probably needed a little more testing before its release, and while it accomplishes what it sets out to do, several competing products serve the same purpose with fewer headaches. --Joel Durham, Jr.

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Product Details:

Package Length:	9.5 inches
Package Width:	7.9 inches
Package Height:	1.5 inches
Package Weight:	0.4 pounds
Average Customer Rating:	based on 166 reviews

System Requirements:

Platform:	Windows NT / Windows 98 / Windows 2000 / Windows Me / Windows XP / Windows 95
Media:	CD-ROM
Item Quantity:	1

Customer Reviews:

Average Customer Review: 2.0

( 166 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 found the following review helpful:

OK, so far Oct 10, 2001

I've had some problems with VirusScan 6.0, but I may have solved some of them. First of all, if you're going to buy this product, I would recommend you download it from McAfee.com because you'll get the latest version, 6.01, which presumably has less bugs. If you buy the glitchy CD-ROM at a retail store, you'll get version 6.0. Here is how I installed the program:

First I uninstalled my current version of McAfee VirusScan, 5.21, and rebooted. Ran a quick Scan Disk and deleted any temporary internet files. I went online, downloaded and saved the McAfee installation file (a huge 32MB; thank God for cable modems) to my Windows 98 destkop. I then rebooted into Safe Mode and installed VirusScan 6.0 from there. Someone told me to do this because when you're in Safe Mode the minimum number of drivers and programs are running. This lessens the chance of a file corrupting the installation of VirusScan.

During the installation, I passed on installing the Firewall and Safe & Sound programs. Too much extra baggage for me. I just wanted VirusScan 6.0. Everything has been fine, so far. However, I don't leave McAfee VirusScan running all the time because it really slows down my system when it's on, more so than version 5.21. I just update the DAT and engine files and run occasional virus scans. I realize this increases the danger of virus infections, but it is a tradeoff I'm willing to make.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

Long-time McAfee user......until now. Nov 12, 2001

Disappointment, frustration, and cheated come to mind. If you've ever bought a car/truck with a strong brand name but it turned out to be a lemon...this would pretty much sum up this review of McAfee's VirusScan version 6.0.

I've used McAfee VirusScan for years with no problems from installation to operation. But I made the big mistake of purchasing, in my opinion, the worst VirusScan update on the market. Previous McAfee versions worked well, but not this one. It is obvious McAfee conducted very little, if any, quality testing. Installation went somewhat easy, however the product caused some major problems on my WIN98 system such as slowing the whole machine down and causing frequent crashes due to the flawed Instant Updater feature. The 4 calls to tech support proved more useless than the website.

What happened here?!? You would think McAfee was bought out and replaced with lazy developers and product testers. Regardless, the biggest loss here is not the product...it's the tarnished brand image of McAfee for endorsing its release. You should ask yourself why McAfee is offering such a tempting rebate. Most likely it's because they now realize it's not worth the CD it was distributed on. At the suggestion of other product reviews, I went ahead and purchased Norton 2002. From installation to operation to website updates, it is exactly what I remember McAfee once was. In the end, I expected more from McAfee as a company. I believe you should too.

12 of 12 found the following review helpful:

McAfee Internet Security 4+ ( VirusScan 6 & Firewall etc ) Feb 27, 2002
By MBC
Feb 26 2002 McAfee Internet Security 4+ includes VirusScan6 and Firewall. Its been a little "rocky" on my ME box with "rulaunch" problems and "guarddog.exe" sometimes freezes up when interacting with IE/Outlook/Explorer (File Mgr & Desktop). I downloaded latest patches 4.02.1023.0 and this has helped. My brother has been trying to get McAfee working on his Win2K box and it has been VERY difficult, the worst of the problems seem to relate to the firewall software. Sometime it prevents PC from being shutdown/restarted ( can only hit reset button ) It appears the software wants RAS? mgr/monitor? to be installed (why???) also problem with NT security with one of the services. By installing latest updates, changing security for service(s), updates to registry, manually downloading updates, some help from B Clinton (McAfee chat support) it seems to be working after a fashion. This product seems like ALPHA software on Win2000 SP2 and Network Associates s/b ashamed... you may get it to work but its gonna be painnnnnnnnn full ( I've been in IT industry for 18+ years soooo I've seen a few things...

12 of 12 found the following review helpful:

SIMPLY - Don't buy it Jan 14, 2002
By ThirdEye
I have never seen a software so poorly written. Even a newbie knows that you don't release a product if it can crash somebody's system. I regret the day when I bought this junk software.
I installed it on my Windows XP Pro machine and everything went to hell. The tech support is nothing but a joke. And when I aksed for refund, I was tossed around for couple of days.
I would not buy this producyt even for free.
I had to reconfigure my Windows XP Pro machine. And on top of that, when you try to download the upgrade patches, they complaint that they are compatible with the version of OS. Ha! There goes your claim of supporting Windows XP. I think MCafee should publicallt apologize to all the PC user cummunity and pledge that they will close down their company and never release a product.

BAD BAD Software.

Naveen

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

Keep Looking Sep 22, 2002

Don't even stop to look at McAfee. Most components are difficult to use and are unstable and slow at best. Some are unusable. My subscription to updates lasted only two months before they told me it was going to be another $$$$. Ouch!! Tech support is horrid, most issues require an "escalation form" that never arrives. Save yourself the pain. Most of the products are availible on freeware (and they are far superior than what you can buy from McAfee!!) With their attitudes, products and support, they surley aren't breaking any sales records. Buy or download something that will be around for a while.

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