Venting my spleen - don't worry it's not a medical condition!

Just a word of warning if you are looking for anti-virus software - McAfee are being very sneaky - and it seems a bit illegal - by making it so that if you buy a product online and take out the year subscription your "preferences" are set to auto -renew after the year's up. They just take the subscription by whatever payment method you use first time and then send you an email saying you are now covered for another year. ANd they take it a month before the year is up!

I contacted Consumer Direct and they say it's illegal - pressure selling it's called. They've passed my complaint onto Trading Standards.

Also they charge you significantly more for the second year!

I got sick of this type of thing with McAfee and others and switched to Avast for our 5 PC's/Laptops. Saves a small fortune as its free and we've never had any issues with viruses etc, any that did rear their heads were all dealt with promptly.

Hope you get it sorted and get your money back!

Thanks Col. I managed to get a refund today as it happens. Sort of why I was prompted to post about it I guess.

I also had the same happen with McAfee, no problem getting a refund, but if you miss the email or have changed your email! Not a good way to do business.

Well here's interesting. I'm in the market for new Internet protection software. I've tried both Norton and Mcafee in the past - also had a go with AVG before that. I'm giving BullGuard a go at the moment - free for two months.

There are some good ones about nowadays. If anyone has anything to add to the discussion I'd like to hear it.

I've found both Norton and Mcafee to be a bit heavy on the system resources - they do tend to slow things down.

Phil Littler wrote:

Well here's interesting. I'm in the market for new Internet protection software. I've tried both Norton and Mcafee in the past - also had a go with AVG before that. I'm giving BullGuard a go at the moment - free for two months.

There are some good ones about nowadays. If anyone has anything to add to the discussion I'd like to hear it.

I've found both Norton and Mcafee to be a bit heavy on the system resources - they do tend to slow things down.

The new 2010 Mcafee is not so heavy on the system as last years. Best to load only the virus and firewall sections.

Here's the Trick Phil. You order Mcafee and then contact them to inform them that you do not want automatic renewal. Sometime after 6-9 months they will send you an offer to renew at a discounted price. You Don't and then in the last month they will offer you a fantastic price and then thats when you renew at half price or less.

Dave

I have been using AVG Anti- Free
It was instaled by IT guy at work and seems to be trouble free apart from me remembering to update manualy .

Steve

The problem with Free AVG is that it only protects you for viruses which is not enough. Your are likely to catch a cold with that limited protection.
You need a firewall and spyware protection today.

Dave

DavidM wrote:

The problem with Free AVG is that it only protects you for viruses which is not enough. Your are likely to catch a cold with that limited protection.
You need a firewall and spyware protection today.

Dave

OOPS ! I forgot to mention I have a spyware terminator to downloaded via c-cleaner .

Steve

There was an "expert" on working lunch talking about anti-virus. He was not very complimentary about resource hogging Norton and McAfee. He recommended freeware from Microsoft, AVG, Avast and Avira.

I use Avira.

I've been using AVG for over 5 years now and had no problems with viruses (that I know of!!) and it can be set to update automatically - Update Manager. I'm using AVG 9 and it does (or at least claims to do) anti-spyware, link scanner and e-mail scanner as well as anti-virus.

As I said before guys the free ones are great untill you catch a cold. Ask yourself this question? If the free one is all we need why do they also offer you an upgrade for a fee.
Answer because none of them are the complete package. They are sweetners
You only need to get infected once to realise the cost for an annual package is pennies compared to the data loss and expense of a reinstall especially if you have to get someone else to do it.

Dave

Happy with my updated Free AVG 9 and I also run Super antispyware free edition at the same time. No conflict there, even when there's a Microsoft protection thing running in the background. Dan

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. I'm going to try a few of the free ones again after paying for my protection for several years.
I won't ever use McAfee again - their sales methods are unethical and bordering on illegal - inertia selling is not acceptable and we as consumers should campaign against it. I think the default setting for McAfee should not be auto-renew. Most people wouldn't know what that meant!

I'll check out the free ones for a while and see how it goes

Thanks again

Phil,

It is a bit like which is the best bike, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

You might want to check out this thread > http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=36497

Oh I agree Bob. My main problem here is that McAfee are blatantly using dodgy sales and marketing methods to ensure repeat business. All the other stuff is good to see thought - I like the thread link - thanks - looks like it's a popular subject.

I wonder if anyone else uses other operating systems (Linux, Apple etc) as I know these are much less liable to viruses and other online threats.

Ok Here's another opportunity to have a moan.

I sent some parts to a company in Devon last Monday by Royal Mail - nothing special - first class parcel post I think it was. They arrived Weds by 2.00 pm.
I'm informed that the company intends to send some replacement parts on Thursday - the day after.

I'm sat here on Sunday night still waiting to receive the said parts

WTF is wrong with most companies in the UK? I ordered an item from Amazon on Tuesday afternoon. It arrives Wednesday - the day after! I know for a fact that Amazon's distribution centre is just outside Milton Keynes - which is quite a way away from Oldmeldrum.

Most companies I order stuff from can't even offer next day delivery to Oldmeldrum - They laugh on the phone when you ask about it - no matter how big they are.

We ordered some coir matting from a company in England to fit to our front and rear entrance areas. If we wanted it delivered to the house it would cost us an additional £12. However they would deliver it to Wendy's sister's house in Bridge of Don FOC!!!!! I give up.

:::::::Gets down from soap-box:::::::::::::::::::::::

pharis wrote:

Of course they may not have bothered sending the parcel out.

Amazon also have a distribution warehouse in Greenock, every chance your Amazon item came from there.

And of course this is exactly what did happen!

Didn't know about the Greenock Amazon btw.