Question Is McAfee crap now ?

[fcar1999ta]

I have had McAfee Total Protection for probably a decade, but lately it has become more of an annoying pop-up generator trying to sell me more stuff.

Is there anything out there better that works across PC and Android?

 

[kerberos_20]

try microsoft defender available on both windows and android/ios
https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/microsoft-defender-for-individuals

 

[CelicaGT]

Yes. It has been crap for some time now, existing solely because of OEM crapware installs and suspect marketing.

Windows Defender is probably good enough for most cases, combined with common sense internet browsing habits and email use.

 

[williamjeremiah]

Is there anything out there better that works across PC and Android?

Windows has its Defender and device security measures. Besides running an occasional free Malwarebytes system scan, unless you're notorious for clicking unknown shortened url's, I wouldn't worry about using anything else.
Android is linux based, using a completely different permissions system, so again -unless you're clicking something you shouldn't be or have installed a questionable app.. There's no need.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I have had McAfee Total Protection for probably a decade, but lately it has become more of an annoying pop-up generator trying to sell me more stuff.

Is there anything out there better that works across PC and Android?

McAfee has been crap for AT LEAST the last 15 years, and IMO, far longer than that. Putting that garbage on your system is like intentionally installing malware. Just run Windows Defender/Security, don't visit shady sites, don't open email attachments from people you don't know and keep Windows up to date, and you'll be fine.

 

[Cilantro7536]

Bitdefender has a good reputation, good measurements, and doesn't pop up ads even in the free versions. Available (even free) for both Windows and Android.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Both Windows defender/security and Bitdefender scored 18 out of 18 on independent antivirus and malware testing of all the top antivirus and malware protection utilities.

Test antivirus software for Windows 10 - February 2025

The current tests of antivirus software for Windows 10 from February 2025 of AV-TEST, the leading international and independent service provider for antivirus software and malware.

www.av-test.org

And Windows Defender/Security HAS to be there anyhow so there is really zero reason to ADD additional code bloat, use additional resources, take up additional disk space or add unnecessary registry entries when really there is nothing to gain.

 

[Cilantro7536]

There are also other "independent" tests that say they may not be the same:

Latest Tests

Our latest comparison of the top security tools

www.av-comparatives.org

 

[williamjeremiah]

There are also other "independent" tests that say they may not be the same:

Latest Tests

Our latest comparison of the top security tools

www.av-comparatives.org

Security Suites are more a gimmick ripoff now than ever. Don't believe everything you read, but if you feel more secure paying for what you believe in. That's your prerogative.

 

[Cilantro7536]

The issues in focus were anti-malware/anti-virus, not the entire "security suite."

That's right. Compare the independent results. Look at your own sources of information and experiences. Decide for yourself. You don't have to trust strangers' judgments.

 

[Darkbreeze]

The issues in focus were anti-malware/anti-virus, not the entire "security suite."

That's right. Compare the independent results. Look at your own sources of information and experiences. Decide for yourself. You don't have to trust strangers' judgments.

Agreed, however, I've frequented a number of intensely community driven AV and security sites and aside from what I know myself, I've seen a lot of people in that industry who know a great deal more than you or I on the subject, directly recommend av-test.org who've been around a very a long time and are not primarily commercially driven on those sites. I've never seen av-comparatives.org recommended on any of them for comparisons based on direct testing. A brief search shows av-comparatives.org has also been around a while, but I trust who I know I can trust because of their track record AND the fact that they are not primarily financially motivated.

 

[Cilantro7536]

I can trust ...

When it all comes down to it, we are going to make subjective choices. But let me present the "differences" differently. If you compare the following two result pages, overall, they are not that much different:

• https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
• https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-july-october-2024/

That is, if you filter out vendors that either didn't include, and pay attention to av-comparative's results with at least one star, you end up with the "same" list of "good" vendors, including Microsoft itself. As a consumer (with cash and resources), however, I might be interested in which ones would give me an edge. Perhaps because I share computers with my kids, or because I have a larger risk profile, etc. "Based on what I know," I still think products like Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, ESET, and Kaspersky offer some advantages, however slight, over Microsoft.

Disclaimer: I have no financial, professional, or personal interests in promoting these products and sites. I am only presenting alternatives based on the OP's question and what I know.