McAfee Internet Security Suite with SiteAdvisor 2008 Review

McAfee Internet Security Suite with SiteAdvisor 2008 defends against viruses, hackers, and spyware much the same as other suites. It’s also very easy to use, providing a good balance of features and system resource usage, while costing $30 to $40 less than the competition. The only feature you give up is the option to do a Quick Scan.

Installing McAfee’s suite took close to four minutes: It ran a virus scan, installed individual components, and ran another scan before finishing up. We didn’t have to restart the system afterwards, but we would have preferred the suite to launch its control panel immediately.

The suite used system resources efficiently. While the software added about a minute to our computer’s start time, it took less time than with Computer Associates’ suite, and we didn’t see any slowdowns when multitasking or Web browsing. We particularly liked McAfee Internet Security Suite’s relatively quick but thorough computer scan and the Shredder, a feature designed to permanently erase files and folders or an entire hard drive. You are required to approve any unrecognized programs, such as TiVo software, but these interuptions where nowhere near as frequent as with Computer Associates’ Internet Security Plus 2008.

One especially welcome feature in McAfee Internet Security Suite is the plain English descriptions of what the various tools are designed to do. From the integrated SecurityCenter control panel, you can manage your network or lock down your firewall. McAfee’s intuitive UI was second only to Norton’s: Graphical icons launch updates and manual scans, and the text describing which elements of your computer environment are secure and which need attention was easy to understand. The SiteAdvisor, which provides a quick glance at the security status of Web sites you are browsing, adds even more appeal to this well-rounded product.

If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive all-in-one security suite that doesn’t slow your system down and protects you at the same time, McAfee’s Internet Security Suite with SiteAdvisor 2008 will fit your needs. Its easy interface and quick load times put it above most other suites tested.