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{{Short description|Antivirus software}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}}
{{Infobox software

| name = McAfee LiveSafe
{{Infobox Software
| name = McAfee VirusScan
| logo = McAfee logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| logo = [[Image:VirusScanLogo.jpg|McAfee VirusScan icon]]
| screenshot = [[Image:McAfee SecurityCenter 2007 screenshot.png|200px]]
| screenshot = [[Image:McAfee SecurityCenter 2021.png|300px]]
| caption = McAfee SecurityCenter 2007
| caption = McAfee SecurityCenter on [[Windows 10]]
| developer = [[McAfee]]
| developer = [[McAfee]]
| released = {{start date and age|1988}}
| latest_release_version = 2007 / 11
| ver layout = stacked
| latest_release_date = [[2006-08-25]]
| latest_release_version = {{multiple releases
| operating_system = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| branch1 = SecurityCenter
| platform = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| version1 = 19.14.143
| date1 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|09}}
| branch2 = VirusScan
| version2 = 25.7.148
| date2 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|12}}
| branch3 = Personal Firewall
| version3 = 21.4.143
| date3 = {{Start date and age|2021|12|04}}
| branch4 = WebAdvisor
| version4 = 4.1.1.685
| date4 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|12}}
| branch5 = QuickClean and Shredder
| version5 = 20.4.162
| date5 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|09}}
| branch6 = Vulnerability Scanner
| version6 = 10.4.110
| date6 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|09}}
| branch7 = App Boost
| version7 = 18.24.154
| date7 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|09}}
| branch8 = VPN
| version8 = 18.24.156
| date8 = {{Start date and age|2022|03|09}}
}}
| operating_system = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Mac OS X]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[IOS]]
| platform =
| genre = [[Antivirus software|Antivirus]]
| genre = [[Antivirus software|Antivirus]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = [http://www.mcafee.com McAfee.com]
}}
}}
{{Portal|Computer security|Portal.svg}}
'''McAfee VirusScan''' is a popular [[antivirus]] program created and maintained by [[McAfee]], formerly known as [[Network Associates]]. VirusScan is designed for home and home-office use; McAfee also develops ''VirusScan Enterprise'' for use in corporate environments. The product is not available as a standalone package, it is included in the ''McAfee VirusScan Plus'' package or as part of ''McAfee Internet Security Suite.'' McAfee also produces a similar product for [[Mac OS X]] under the name of ''VirusScan for Mac''.


'''McAfee VirusScan''' is an [[antivirus software]] created and maintained by [[McAfee]] (formerly known as Intel Security, and [[Network Associates]] prior to that). Originally marketed as a standalone product, it has been [[Product bundling#Software|bundled]] with '''McAfee LiveSafe''', '''McAfee AntiVirus Plus''',<ref name="AntiVirusPlus2017">{{cite web|title=McAfee AntiVirus Plus|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2469309,00.asp|website=PCMAG|access-date=8 April 2018|language=en}}</ref> '''McAfee Total Protection''' and '''McAfee Gamer Security''' since 2010. McAfee LiveSafe is antivirus protection that defends against viruses, online threats, and ransomware with online and offline protection integrates antivirus, [[Firewall (computing)|firewall]] and anti-[[spyware]]/anti-[[ransomware]] capabilities.<ref name="PCMagLS2017">{{cite web|title=McAfee LiveSafe|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470466,00.asp|website=PCMAG|access-date=8 April 2018|language=en}}</ref><br />
==Features==
In 2006, British telecom company [[BSkyB]] started offering [[Sky Broadband]] customers a [[White-label product|branded version]] of VirusScan for free upon broadband modem installation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sky Offers 'Free' Broadband|url=https://www.cio.com/article/258618/networking-sky-offers-free-broadband.html|date=July 18, 2006|work=[[CIO (magazine)|CIO]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Communications, Inc.]]}}</ref>
The 2007 edition of VirusScan Plus integrates antivirus, [[firewall]] and anti-[[spyware]] capabilities and contains (amongst others) the following features:


==VirusScan Enterprise==
* On-access file scanning
McAfee also produces an enterprise-level product named VirusScan Enterprise: McAfee has designed this for use on larger networks designed to make management of antivirus software on multiple computers easier. Unlike the home-user edition, the Enterprise edition consists of a client application for networked computers, and a server application, which the system installs updates and configures settings for all client programs. Clients can be controlled using the included ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO), which is a unified console that can control VirusScan and other McAfee products. Support for VirusScan Enterprise ended on December 31, 2021.
* Inbound and outbound firewall protection
* Spyware protection
* Daily definition updates (except the weekend)
* McAfee ''X-Ray'' [[rootkit]] detection
* McAfee ''SiteAdvisor'' - displays a safety rating for websites based on tests for evidence of [[e-mail spam|spam]], [[malware]] and [[phishing]]
* McAfee ''SystemGuards'' - monitors the computer for actvity that may be caused by virus infection or hacker activity


==VirusScan for Mac==
VirusScan Plus 2007 is compatible with [[Microsoft]] [[Windows 2000]] and [[Windows XP]] only.
In November 2008 McAfee announced<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcafee.com/us/about/press/corporate/2007/20071129_164500_x.html |title=McAfee, Inc. Releases VirusScan Software for Leopard |publisher=Mcafee.com |access-date=2010-11-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301071029/http://mcafee.com/us/about/press/corporate/2007/20071129_164500_x.html |archive-date=2009-03-01 }}</ref> VirusScan for Mac OS. (Earlier versions used the name [[Virex]], developed by HJC Software.) Key changes in VirusScan 8.6 included Leopard Compatibility (a universal binary package that ran on both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs), On-Access scanning, and Apple Mail support.


==Controversies==
==VirusScan Enterprise==
McAfee also produces an enterprise-level product named VirusScan Enterprise which is designed for use on larger networks. It contains features designed to make management of antivirus software on multiple computers easier. Unlike the home-user edition it consists of a client application which is loaded on all networked computers and a server application, through which signature and application updates are installed and settings for all client programs are configured. You can control all the client with ePolicy Orchestrator (EPO) or with ProtectionPilot (PRP). ProtectionPilot is easier to configure and use but only control VirusScan. EPO is an unified console (it can control VirusScan and other McAfee products).


=== Poor independent test results ===
{{section-stub}}
In tests by [[Virus Bulletin]] and additional independent consumer-organizations, McAfee VirusScan has not fared well, frequently failing to detect some common viruses.<ref>[http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/results?display=tests Virus Bulletin] {{registration required}}</ref>


A review of VirusScan 2006 by [[CNET]] criticized the product due to "pronounced performance hits in two of our three real-world performance tests"<ref name="CNET">{{cite web|last=Tedja |first=Irsan |url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/mcafee-virusscan-2006-review/|title=McAfee VirusScan 2006 Reviews |website=CNET|date=2005-11-09|access-date=2020-06-12}}</ref> and some users reviewing the same product reported encountering technical problems.<ref name="CNET"/>
==VirusScan for Mac==
[[Image:VirusScan.png|right|64px|VirusScan icon]]
Previously known as [[Virex]], this product is currently in beta (version 8.5).


Some older versions of the VirusScan engine use all available CPU cycles.<ref>[ftp://ftp.mediacy.com/uploaded/MAV/Multi%20Platform%204.51/Mcafee%20Read%20Me.txt Release Notes for McAfee VirusScan v4.5.1]</ref>
McAfee has recently released a release candidate (RC) version of their VirusScan for Mac 8.5 product. The main highlights of the product are:


{{As of|2009}}, McAfee virus-scanning products did not handle false positives well, repeatedly removing or [[quarantine technology|quarantining]] known clean files, even after user restoration of these files.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://computershopper.com/software/reviews/mcafee-total-protection-2009 |title=Computer Shopper Review |publisher=Computershopper.com |date=2009-09-13 |access-date=2010-11-09}}</ref>
* '''Universal Binary''': First universal binary version in the Virex product line. It will run on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Mac computers natively.
* '''On Access scanning''': Features true blocking On Access Scanning. It scans every file being accessed from or written to the machine and blocks infections if any. On Access Scanner can be configured to scan on Read Only, Write only or both. It can also be configured to scan files on network volumes.
* '''5100 engine support''': The latest McAfee Anti-Virus engine.
* '''Apple Mail scanning''' : It will now scan Apple Mail messages for any infections. This feature is available through both On Demand Scanner and On Access Scanner.


===Customer support criticisms===
{{section-stub}}
Reviewers have described customer support for McAfee products as lacking, with support staff slow to respond and unable to answer many questions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mcafee-review.html |title=TopTen Reviews |publisher=Anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com |access-date=2010-11-09}}</ref><ref>[http://www.adwarereport.com/mt/archives/mcafee_virusscan_plus_review.php Adware Support review]</ref>


=== 2010 reboot problem===
==Criticism==
On April 21, 2010, beginning approximately at 2 PM GMT, an erroneous virus definition file update from McAfee affected millions of computers worldwide running Windows XP Service Pack 3. The update resulted in the removal of a Windows system file (<code>[[svchost.exe]]</code>) on those machines, causing machines to lose network access and, in some cases, to enter a reboot loop. McAfee rectified this by removing and replacing the faulty DAT file, version 5958, with an emergency DAT file (version 5959) and posted a fix for the affected machines in its consumer "KnowledgeBase".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=8656|title=McAfee DAT 5958 Update Issues|date=21 April 2010|access-date=22 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/mcafee-update--shutting-down-xp-machines/|title=Botched McAfee update shutting down corporate XP machines worldwide|date=21 April 2010|access-date=22 April 2010|archive-date=22 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422205355/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/mcafee-update--shutting-down-xp-machines/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A review of VirusScan 2006 by [[CNET]] criticised the product due to "pronounced performance hits in two of our three real-world performance tests"<ref>[http://reviews.cnet.com/McAfee_VirusScan_2006/4505-3681_7-31473526-2.html McAfee VirusScan 2006 Reviews - Cnet.com]</ref> and some users reviewing the same product reported encountering technical problems<ref>[http://reviews.cnet.com/McAfee_VirusScan_2006/4852-3681_7-31473526.html?tag=uoreturn McAfee VirusScan 2006 Ratings - Cnet.com]</ref> McAfee VirusScan is also known for annoying the user by persistently displaying the same message until the demands are met. It also known for randomly interupting full screen programs, such as games.


=== 2012 update issues ===
It also happened to delete some files with no questions asked, even when none of its default actions are set to "delete". According to the technical support, some very old virus definitions have hard-coded "delete" actions in them.
An August 2012 update to McAfee antivirus caused the protection to become turned off and users to lose internet connections. McAfee was criticized for not notifying users promptly of the issues when they learned about it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230447/McAfee_antivirus_update_causes_problems_for_home_and_enterprise_customers|title=McAfee antivirus update causes problems for home and enterprise customers|date=21 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techiediy.com/mcafee-creates-internet-connection-problems-with-no-communication |title=McAfee Web Connection Issues with No Communication |access-date=2012-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204013228/http://www.techiediy.com/mcafee-creates-internet-connection-problems-with-no-communication |archive-date=2013-02-04 }}</ref>

=== Current standing ===
McAfee, though well-known, continues to have mixed reviews by industry sources,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mcafee-review.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205041126/http://www.anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/mcafee-review.html |archive-date=2005-02-05 |title=McAfee VirusScan Home Edition Review}}</ref> and the company has prepared a 2015 release series to address current market conditions. This repositioning includes voice and facial recognition authentication for cloud-based data security.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2686000/mcafee-announces-2015-editions-of-its-antivirus-and-security-suites.html|title=McAfee announces 2015 editions of its antivirus and security suites}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Comparison of antivirus software]]
* [[Comparison of firewalls]]
* [[Internet security]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://us.mcafee.com/root/package.asp?pkgid=276&cid=25655 VirusScan for Windows], McAfee
* [http://www.mcafee.com/us/products/virusscan-for-mac.aspx VirusScan for Mac], McAfee
* [https://askanydifference.com/difference-between-mcafee-livesafe-and-total-protection/ Tabular Comparison], Comparison Between Livesafe and Total Protection versions of McAfee

{{McAfee}}
{{Antivirus software}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:McAfee]]
[[Category:McAfee]]
[[Category:Antivirus software]]
[[Category:Antivirus software]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:Antivirus software for DOS]]
[[Category:Windows security software]]

[[pl:McAfee VirusScan]]
[[Category:1988 software]]
[[Category:MacOS software]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS software]]

Latest revision as of 15:59, 26 September 2024

McAfee LiveSafe
Developer(s)McAfee
Initial release1988; 37 years ago (1988)
Stable release(s)
SecurityCenter19.14.143 / March 9, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-09)
VirusScan25.7.148 / March 12, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-12)
Personal Firewall21.4.143 / December 4, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-12-04)
WebAdvisor4.1.1.685 / March 12, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-12)
QuickClean and Shredder20.4.162 / March 9, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-09)
Vulnerability Scanner10.4.110 / March 9, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-09)
App Boost18.24.154 / March 9, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-09)
VPN18.24.156 / March 9, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-03-09)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X, Android, IOS
TypeAntivirus
LicenseProprietary

McAfee VirusScan is an antivirus software created and maintained by McAfee (formerly known as Intel Security, and Network Associates prior to that). Originally marketed as a standalone product, it has been bundled with McAfee LiveSafe, McAfee AntiVirus Plus,[1] McAfee Total Protection and McAfee Gamer Security since 2010. McAfee LiveSafe is antivirus protection that defends against viruses, online threats, and ransomware with online and offline protection integrates antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware/anti-ransomware capabilities.[2]
In 2006, British telecom company BSkyB started offering Sky Broadband customers a branded version of VirusScan for free upon broadband modem installation.[3]

VirusScan Enterprise

[edit]

McAfee also produces an enterprise-level product named VirusScan Enterprise: McAfee has designed this for use on larger networks designed to make management of antivirus software on multiple computers easier. Unlike the home-user edition, the Enterprise edition consists of a client application for networked computers, and a server application, which the system installs updates and configures settings for all client programs. Clients can be controlled using the included ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO), which is a unified console that can control VirusScan and other McAfee products. Support for VirusScan Enterprise ended on December 31, 2021.

VirusScan for Mac

[edit]

In November 2008 McAfee announced[4] VirusScan for Mac OS. (Earlier versions used the name Virex, developed by HJC Software.) Key changes in VirusScan 8.6 included Leopard Compatibility (a universal binary package that ran on both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs), On-Access scanning, and Apple Mail support.

Controversies

[edit]

Poor independent test results

[edit]

In tests by Virus Bulletin and additional independent consumer-organizations, McAfee VirusScan has not fared well, frequently failing to detect some common viruses.[5]

A review of VirusScan 2006 by CNET criticized the product due to "pronounced performance hits in two of our three real-world performance tests"[6] and some users reviewing the same product reported encountering technical problems.[6]

Some older versions of the VirusScan engine use all available CPU cycles.[7]

As of 2009, McAfee virus-scanning products did not handle false positives well, repeatedly removing or quarantining known clean files, even after user restoration of these files.[8]

Customer support criticisms

[edit]

Reviewers have described customer support for McAfee products as lacking, with support staff slow to respond and unable to answer many questions.[9][10]

2010 reboot problem

[edit]

On April 21, 2010, beginning approximately at 2 PM GMT, an erroneous virus definition file update from McAfee affected millions of computers worldwide running Windows XP Service Pack 3. The update resulted in the removal of a Windows system file (svchost.exe) on those machines, causing machines to lose network access and, in some cases, to enter a reboot loop. McAfee rectified this by removing and replacing the faulty DAT file, version 5958, with an emergency DAT file (version 5959) and posted a fix for the affected machines in its consumer "KnowledgeBase".[11][12]

2012 update issues

[edit]

An August 2012 update to McAfee antivirus caused the protection to become turned off and users to lose internet connections. McAfee was criticized for not notifying users promptly of the issues when they learned about it.[13][14]

Current standing

[edit]

McAfee, though well-known, continues to have mixed reviews by industry sources,[15] and the company has prepared a 2015 release series to address current market conditions. This repositioning includes voice and facial recognition authentication for cloud-based data security.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "McAfee AntiVirus Plus". PCMAG. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  2. ^ "McAfee LiveSafe". PCMAG. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Sky Offers 'Free' Broadband". CIO. IDG Communications, Inc. July 18, 2006.
  4. ^ "McAfee, Inc. Releases VirusScan Software for Leopard". Mcafee.com. Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  5. ^ Virus Bulletin (registration required)
  6. ^ a b Tedja, Irsan (2005-11-09). "McAfee VirusScan 2006 Reviews". CNET. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  7. ^ Release Notes for McAfee VirusScan v4.5.1
  8. ^ "Computer Shopper Review". Computershopper.com. 2009-09-13. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  9. ^ "TopTen Reviews". Anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  10. ^ Adware Support review
  11. ^ "McAfee DAT 5958 Update Issues". 21 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  12. ^ "Botched McAfee update shutting down corporate XP machines worldwide". 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  13. ^ "McAfee antivirus update causes problems for home and enterprise customers". 21 August 2012.
  14. ^ "McAfee Web Connection Issues with No Communication". Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  15. ^ "McAfee VirusScan Home Edition Review". Archived from the original on 2005-02-05.
  16. ^ "McAfee announces 2015 editions of its antivirus and security suites".
[edit]