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Tutor

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1 Message

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 7:00 AM

Why wasn't I told about Mcafee security?

Why didn't anyone from At&t tell me about this free security that I could have put on my computers when I signed up for service? I'm very upset about this because my laptop is full of viruses now and I can't do anything about it. I tried paying someone to remove them but they couldn't. It wasn't a professional doing it but I can't afford to pay the $180 it takes for me to get support from the computer maker "Dell". I have been desperate and was going to just reset my computer to factory settings from when I bought it which was over 5 years ago. That means I'm losing all the stuff I've put on the computer since that time, so many pictures of my family. I can't get into the computer to save them or anything. The computer is really messed up. I called the maker of the computer, "Dell" and they said my service warranty ran out a while back and I needed to pay almost $200 to get them to help me with it. They ran a check on my computer and said it was full of viruses. They wouldn't do or say anything else without money. I am a single mother of 3 kids and I don't have a job or no income at all right now. I can't afford a cent much less that much money. My kids need that computer to do school work and of course teenage stuff too. Now they are always on my laptop that I'm emailing you from now. It's after 2am and the only time I can get on my own computer because of stuff they need and want to do on the other one and can't. That desktop isn't that old, I bought it just a few years ago and should have plenty of life left on it. I had Comcast for a few years and never had any problems with security or viruses on these computers. They came out and installed the equipment and put the security on the computer at the time. Why doesn't At&t do that or tell us about the Mcfee security that is free? I'm so aggravated and don't know what to do right now. If I could afford deposits to another internet company I'd switch from At&t to someone else. I'm sorry to say that, really. I've had good customer service from your company since I've had internet with you. I called a few days ago and asked someone from customer service if they could help me somehow to get my computer fixed or take some money off my bill so I can afford to get my computer fixed because they didn't tell me about the Mcfee security I could have had. I don't like to say anything or have any trouble with anybody, I'm not a mean person. I'm just at my wits end right now. This laptop is getting old so I don't know how long it will last especially with 4 of us using it all day long because they can't use the desktop. There will be no way I can get another computer because I'll never have the extra money. Please, if there is something you can do to help me I'd be very grateful. Like I said, I called customer service at At&t a few days ago and now I'm getting an email about the exact thing I was complaining about. Maybe your company listened to my complaint and are now making sure customers know about this free security they can get. I don't think it's a coincidence this email came out after I complained. I think they know that this is a real big issue that a lot people like me will realize could have caused them problems with their computers. I'm glad at&t is advertising this now but it's a little late for me. It needs to be told straight to the customer when they order internet from you. It needs to be installed on their computers by someone from the company or through the system somehow. Please help me to be able to afford to get my other computer fixed. Any amount would be appreciated that you could help me on my bill. I have to make a past due payment this Friday too. Anyway, I hope someone reads this message. Thanks for your time.
Melissa

[Edited for privacy.]

 

ACE - Master

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6.9K Messages

10 years ago

@Ozfer 

 

I've been dealing with computer for almost 30 years now and I wouldn't give McAfee to some I didn't like let alone someone I worked for. MSE is given 5 Stars by CNET, a name I trust more than Tom's Hardware.

 

While you say the "free" anti-virus" programs are loaded with ads and block functionalilty, the ones I listed are rated as the best free ones by CNET, not Tom's Hardware.  PC Magazine also rates them extremely high.  Also they do not have their functionality crippled.  There is no need to spend any money. 

Teacher

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18 Messages

10 years ago

@oufanindallas

 

Dude go take another look over at CNET MSE has bombed so many security tests it’s sad and that review is from many years ago heck even Microsoft recommends other software above MSE. Still none of your free ones made it on the top list at top 10 reviews either and toms hardware is a very legitimate site... and still none of your free ones come with a better firewall, anti malware, or internet security and that’s just a fact. Also McAfee hasn't been around for 30 years so it’s hard to say you have 30 years of experience with it…(Do you work for ATT?)

 

As for your pc magazine link no duh out of free antiviruses they are the best.... that’s a review of only free antivirus software not just antivirus software. Go look at the same websites rating for the best antivirus of 2014 in general and McAffe comes in fourth and none of your free ones make it on the top 5. And the fact still remains the free ones have ads and do block out features and most have paid for versions that try to get you to buy the full version the whole time you use them. I have used avira, avast, avg, bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky, and many others I know what they are like. 

 

Furthermore I never said that their functionality was crippled they do exactly what they are supposed to, just be simple free antivirus software to get you to buy the full version. I noted that they are not as good as other software’s and many times the paid for version of the free antivirus is a very good product. The free version isn't sold as an internet security program it’s just a basic antivirus utility they have for free to get you to buy the real product that has firewalls, anti malware, and much better protection.

 

I completely agree, there is no need to spend money with what we pay ATT per month we are given a copy of McAfee Internet security a $60 a year program that we are given through our ATT subscription. McAffee is a fine program and there is no need to get anything else. I don’t understand your prejudice against McAfee when it clearly is a good program and makes it on every top list of antiviruses for 2014. You said it doesn’t have ease of use and it has been praised on multiple sites for having the best ease of use of all antivirus software.

ACE - Expert

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34.7K Messages

10 years ago

I do remember AVG's nag popups without fondness, but it was/is a good free AV product.

 

While MSE gets a bad rating from the tests, in my experience, I've seen 4 infections on machines that had McAfee properly installed on them, and only ZERO on those that had MSE on them.  So... my testing shows MSE to be far better than McAfee.


AT&T's marketing materials clearly mention that McAfee is included, as does the support site.

 

Teacher

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18 Messages

10 years ago

oufan

Dude go take another look over at CNET MSE has bombed so many security tests it’s sad and that review is from many years ago heck even Microsoft recommends other software above MSE. Still none of your free ones made it on the top list at top 10 reviews either and toms hardware is a very legitimate site... and still none of your free ones come with a better firewall, anti malware, or internet security and that’s just a fact. Also McAfee hasn't been around for 30 years so it’s hard to say you have 30 years of experience with it…(Do you work for ATT?)

 

As for your pc magazine link no duh out of free antiviruses they are the best.... that’s a review of only free antivirus software not just antivirus software. Go look at the same websites rating for the best antivirus of 2014 in general and McAffe comes in fourth and none of your free ones make it on the top 5. And the fact still remains the free ones have ads and do block out features and most have paid for versions that try to get you to buy the full version the whole time you use them. I have used avira, avast, avg, bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky, and many others I know what they are like. 

 

Furthermore I never said that their functionality was crippled they do exactly what they are supposed to, just be simple free antivirus software to get you to buy the full version. I noted that they are not as good as other software’s and many times the paid for version of the free antivirus is a very good product. The free version isn't sold as an internet security program it’s just a basic antivirus utility they have for free to get you to buy the real product that has firewalls, anti malware, and much better protection.

 

I completely agree, there is no need to spend money with what we pay ATT per month we are given a copy of McAfee Internet security a $60 a year program that we are given through our ATT subscription. McAffee is a fine program and there is no need to get anything else. I don’t understand your prejudice against McAfee when it clearly is a good program and makes it on every top list of antiviruses for 2014. You said it doesn’t have ease of use and it has been praised on multiple sites for having the best ease of use of all antivirus software.

ACE - Master

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6.9K Messages

10 years ago

@Ozfer 

 

No, I do not work for or with AT&T. I provide technical support for a different company and I didn't say I've used or worked with McAfee for 30 years, I said I've been working with computers for 30 years.  I've been using MSE along with Malwarebytes for 7 years now and have never had an infection of any type.  I've worked with Norton, McAfee, AVG, Avast, ESet and many other A/V programs and in my years of experience McAfee is the hardest to set up. Sure if you want to just install and forget then it's fine, but when you are dealing with A/V programs, especially ones that can cause false positives or interfere with other software, McAfee is a bugger to setup.  The company I work for has had issues with Norton, Avast, Trend Micro and AVG.  Each have caused major issues with our software until you set up exclusions.  But to each their own.  If you like McAfee, more power to you.  As for free, you're right, the link I sent was for the best FREE anti-virus software programs out there.

ACE - Expert

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34.7K Messages

10 years ago

Most of the other fluff (like the firewall) in these Internet Security Suites are not worth the trouble.  The Windows Firewall is quite adequate, assuming you need a firewall. 

 

And, I see a mention of Trend Micro... one of the worse infections I've had to remove occurred on a machine with an up-to-date copy of Trend Micro on it.  I replaced it with MSE.  No infections on that machine since.

 

 

ACE - Master

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6.9K Messages

10 years ago


@JefferMC wrote:

Most of the other fluff (like the firewall) in these Internet Security Suites are not worth the trouble.  The Windows Firewall is quite adequate, assuming you need a firewall. 

 

And, I see a mention of Trend Micro... one of the worse infections I've had to remove occurred on a machine with an up-to-date copy of Trend Micro on it.  I replaced it with MSE.  No infections on that machine since.

 

 


Yep, completely blocked an update to our program.  Since I support professional tax software, being able to get updates regularly is extremely important. AVG thought one of our files was a virus and we had to call their hq in the Netherlands on a Sunday.  One of our specialists had to send them the file,  mind you this was April 12th, at first AVG was like, we should be able to get an update out in a week.  We were like, in a week filing deadline will be over and it won't be as important.  They had an update out within 12 hours of us calling.  We're supposed to be white listed with the major a/v programs, but it doesn't seem to matter most of the time.

ACE - Expert

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34.7K Messages

10 years ago

Several years ago, I had AVG suddenly report that a file on a 3 year old manufacturered game CD was infected.

 

I sent them the file, told them what pressed CD it came from.  They stood by their position it was malware.  I ran three other scanners on it, none of them had an issue.  Sometimes...

 

Professor

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3.9K Messages

9 years ago

Having an anti-virus program is crucial, and needs to be installed asap, anoither thing that gets overlooked almost as much is a good firewall.

The free anti-viruses listed (AVG, Avast, Malbyes, etc.) only have the firewall option if you upgrade  to the pay version.

At the very least, if you use those, and I agree, they are good, make sure that you enable Windows Defenderr. It is not the best firewall out there, but it is pretty good, is free, usualy already in your windows operationg system, and WAY better than nothing.

And note: not to be comfused with windows security essentials. essentials is anti-virus, not firewall.

My thoughts, use as you see fit.

Professor

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3.9K Messages

9 years ago

That is why some files that show false positives get white listed. Some of the folks who make the aniti-virus apps try to charge the folks to whitelist, so, not all do, and the false positives persist.

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