Both McAfee and Avast feature drawings of people in their new UI, though admittedly McAfee’s aren’t as Picasso-esque as Avast’s.Ī similar makeover for the Android and iOS editions is in the works, scheduled for release sometime in October. The interface moved from dark, stoic protection to a light, airy mode with whimsical line drawings.
I saw a similar change in emphasis in my recent review of the Avast One product line. A Quick Actions button at the bottom lets you quickly launch a scan or skim away browser data that could be used to track you. Three panels focus on protection for PC, Web, and Identity. A panel at the top of its main window provides useful information about recent activities or actions that are needed. To that end, McAfee AntiVirus Plus has a completely different user interface than it did for my last review. Not that McAfee’s product will stop protecting you-not at all! But the emphasis moves away from the details. A company contact explained to me that going forward they’ll emphasize helping consumers “freely and confidently enjoy life online,” taking the spotlight away from the security features and device protection that make such confidence possible. Its designers and planners take that focus very seriously. With the selloff of its enterprise business unit, McAfee becomes a purely consumer-focused company. Once installation is complete, the product starts protecting you right away.
I was pleased to find that the installer didn't require handholding from me. With that housekeeping out of the way, it's time to download and install the product. Norton offers a similar promise, as does Check Point ZoneAlarm Extreme Security. In the unlikely event that the experts can't clear out the malware, the company refunds your purchase price. That means if any malware gets past the antivirus, McAfee experts promise to remotely remediate the problem, a service that normally costs $89.95. If configure your account for automatic renewal, you get a Virus Protection Pledge from McAfee.
To install McAfee, you first go online and activate your license key. Getting Started With McAfee AntiVirus Plus Like Kaspersky, it’s a stripped-down suite. Also free, Avast One Essential protects all four popular platforms. In addition to antivirus protection, you get a subset of the bonus security features found in the full-blown Kaspersky Security Cloud. You can install it on all your Windows, Android, or iOS devices (but not Macs). Kaspersky Security Cloud Free is an especially interesting example because, like McAfee, it offers cross-platform support. Of course, with a free antivirus you effectively have an unlimited license. With unlimited licenses, McAfee’s pricing has them all beat. Roughly $40 per month gets you a one-device license for many antivirus products, among them Bitdefender, Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, and Trend Micro. For example, about the same subscription price as McAfee’s gets you 10 Sophos licenses, three licenses for Bitdefender, ESET NOD32 Antivirus, or Kaspersky Anti-Virus, and just one Norton license. Most competing companies offer one-, three-, five-, or 10-license subscriptions. You pay $59.99 per year for unlimited McAfee licenses. How Much Does McAfee Antivirus Plus Cost? No matter what sort of hardware you own, a McAfee Antivirus Plus subscription is an excellent value. You don’t get nearly as much in a macOS installation, and still less on iOS, but that’s normal. Android users also get a ton of security features.
Installed on Windows, it’s practically a full security suite, with a wealth of features beyond mere antivirus. With one subscription you can install protection on every pc, phone, or tablet belonging to every household member. McAfee AntiVirus Plus is designed for the multi-device household. That experience seems so quaint in the modern age, when every household member has multiple devices, be they Macs, Windows boxes, or smartphones.
You’d buy antivirus software packaged in a box in a retail store, bring it home, and install it on the household’s single PC. Computer security used to be simple, ages ago.