Bestantivirus-Assists
Why You Should Trust Us
One of the most critical factors when choosing the antivirus solution that’s right for you is who you should trust. With so many fly-by scams and fake review websites across the web, finding a trustworthy and reliable source can be difficult. Unfortunately, most of the teams behind the online antivirus review websites have never actually installed or tested any of the products they recommend. And who wants to purchase an antivirus solution from a Top 10 software list compiled by a team of fake researchers?
Keeping true to our original goal of becoming the most trusted and respected buyer’s guide for antivirus software, we wanted to do things differently right from the get-go. Rather than compiling a quick Top 10 list consisting of the latest best-paying antivirus affiliate programs, we began by researching the market and identifying the most reputable antivirus solution providers. We decided only to include established brands with proven track records in excellence combined with industry-wide recognition. After purchasing a premium package from each brand, we began researching online, benchmarking each product using a proprietary scoring system (more about this in our blog).
But who are we? We are a team of experts specializing in software testing and reviewing with a combined experience of over 30 years. We aim to take an entirely new approach to the world of antivirus software reviewing based on integrity, trust, and transparency.
Finding The Best Antivirus
We’ve spent hours researching the most reputable antivirus testing labs, compiling all the virus and malware detection data we could find. AV Comparatives and AV Test have proven to be reliable sources, but our research didn’t stop there. We’ve also studies countless white papers and articles published by groups and institutions like The Anti-Malware Testing Standard Organization, PcMag, Google's Project Zero, Ars Technica, to name just a few. This approach allowed us to identify the key technical components and requirements of antivirus software and attribute a detection score to each solution.
While a solution’s detection capability plays a significant role, there is still much more to consider when selecting the best antivirus solution. Other important factors that need to be considered include software features, ease of use, and system performance. We set out to test these factors on the various PCs and Macs located in our office. After settling on a list of features to analyze and agreeing on a scoring system for each function, we installed the individual antivirus solutions. The testing process proved to be more time-consuming than expected, but eventually, we could harvest some interesting insights when comparing products. (Some of these insights will be featured in our blog over the following weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out.) Eventually, our scoring table was ready. But we still needed to consider another factor — pricing.
The Right Price
It’s not uncommon for a fully-stocked antivirus solution with premium features to come with a hefty price tag. Some companies will even include “exotic features” in an attempt to justify a higher sales price. The question is, are all of those extra features even worth the extra cost? Along with highly sought-after detection capabilities, we’ve agreed to only consider the must-have features included in each package, including usability, system performance, and the total price. Throughout the research phase, we realized that a handful of virus protection packages that were swimming in exotic features were actually highly overpriced.
Most antivirus companies offer significant discounts, but unfortunately, they’re not visible when visiting the websites directly. As some prices may drop as low as 50% off (for various reasons), the dynamics of selecting the best antivirus solution constantly fluctuate. Who wouldn't want a solution with the same must-have features as a competing brand but for half the cost? By partnering with various affiliate programs, we can provide direct links to antivirus offers at discounted prices. We’ve taken these prices into account when compiling our antivirus software lists to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right solution to protect your digital footprint.
Why Should You Buy The Best Antivirus Software?
The Internet may be a good source of information and entertainment, but it can also be a dangerous place with all sorts of threats lurking around every corner. You may think that simply avoiding dangerous files and downloadables is enough to keep you safe, but the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
Viruses can slip into your system without warning. Before you know it, you may find yourself the owner of an inoperable system, or worse, discover that your personal data has been stolen. Often, by the time you even realize you’ve been victimized, it's already too late. We protect everything that matters in life: we lock doors; shield our bank pin when withdrawing cash; and make use of home security measures — why wouldn’t you want to protect your online life? Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of amazing antivirus solutions that feature adequate protection capabilities.
Installing antivirus protection across your devices is the best way to protect your software and personal data. A viable solution ensures your files stay safe from corruption and your computer remains shielded from any number of direct hacker attacks. It's the only way to truly have some peace of mind while working, streaming videos, or online gaming.
Although there are plenty of free antivirus solutions out there, purchasing a solution is always a recommended course of action due to the many advantages it brings. Think about it — would you trust a free home security system to protect your family? With a premium antivirus solution, you’ll have access to a much wider range of features and services than you would with a free, generic solution. For starters, you’ll be able to shop online safely, shield your children from inappropriate content, and secure your entire home network.
There are viruses out there that will slow down your system and make it almost impossible to open your files. Often, these viruses are so discreet that it’s extremely difficult to tell if something malicious has infected your computer. Relying solely on your intuition to avoid threats is simply unrealistic. With an efficient antivirus solution, you can relax, knowing that you’re safe from threats — even ones that are difficult to trace. Furthermore, should you encounter any difficulties or experience an attack, you can count on professional assistance from an experienced technical support team to help you get things back on track.
How To Compare The Best Antivirus Protection
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best antivirus solution for your computer. Most of them offer similar protection mechanisms, involving comparing files to malware signatures, analyzing application behavior, and analyzing samples of zero-day malware so that everyone can benefit from more effective protection. However, what differentiates a GOOD solution from the BEST revolves around what it has to offer in addition to its basic protection capabilities.
A common reason people cite for avoiding some of the best antivirus solutions on the market includes the notion that such software will slow down their computer, making it difficult to perform routine tasks. This is not the case nowadays. The latest antivirus programs have evolved significantly over the past few years alone. They are no longer the resource hogs they once had a reputation for being. From the most basic to the best antivirus solutions, all of them feature a series of advanced mechanisms which can identify viruses and other threats before anything bad happens to your system and data.
Now, you could protect your computer from various forms of malware with a standard base package, but the best antivirus software will provide you with more than one solution, each tailored for a specific task. Many companies offer premium packages with additional features designed to help you plug security gaps to prevent hackers from gaining access to your personal files. They’ll also warn you if you’re about to connect to a fraudulent website where you could end up relinquishing a password or credit card details. It can’t be considered one of the best antivirus solutions if it doesn't include online banking and shopping features.
The best antivirus solutions are defined by their features that are designed to address particular needs. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a basic package designed simply to protect your system, or you could choose to spend a little more and opt for a solution that provides security for the entire family, protecting all of your devices from data theft and viruses.
Security products are in a constant state of evolution. New features and better protection measures to fight against the latest spyware, adware, worms, Trojans, rootkits, ransomware, and many other threats are always being developed. Regardless of the level of protection you seek, there’s an antivirus solution suitable for everyone — regardless of budget.
Common FAQs
Need to change your email? Can't figure out how to renew your subscription or buy additional licenses? Check out the answers to our most common account and billing questions.
How do I update my McAfee My Account email address?
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Log in to your McAfee account.
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At the top of your My Account page, select Account, and then click My Profile.
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At the top of the Account Information section, click Update.
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Enter your new email address, and then click Save.
Get more info · Log in and get started
How do I turn Auto-Renewal on or off?
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Log in to your McAfee account.
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At the top of your My Account page, select Account, and then click Auto-Renewal Settings.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to turn auto-renew on or off.
My subscription has expired. How do I renew it?
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Log in to your McAfee account.
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At the top of your My Account page, select Account, and then click Subscriptions.
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Click All expired to see your expired subscriptions. Or click View active to see your subscriptions that have not yet expired.
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Look for the subscription you want to renew and click Renew.
I bought something by accident. How do I get a refund?
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At the bottom of any page on the McAfee website, click Consumer Support.
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Under the Get help with section, click Request a Refund.
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Select your country, then click Request a Refund again.
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Choose one of the options (such as Price is too expensive) and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: You can request a refund within 30 days of purchasing a McAfee product.
McAfee's Best Phone Number
Toll-free·Calls Customer Support·Most popular McAfee number
Free tools for easier calling
We call and talk to them for youSkip waiting on hold
How do I talk to a live human at McAfee?
A:Press #3. Our free phone can also navigate phone menus to get a live human at McAfee for you.
Does McAfee offer 24 hour customer service?
A:Yes! This call center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The least busy day is Saturday, and the most busy day is Thursday.
How long will I wait on hold?
A:The average hold time is 3 minutes and 42 seconds. The longest hold times are on Sunday, and the shortest are on Tuesday. You can skip the hold time for free.
How do I get through the phone menu to a live person?
Consider using our free service that calls and talks to customer service for you, then sends you a report. Or use our free service that waits on hold and tells you when a human rep is on the line. But if those options don't appeal to you, our team has also documented the phone menu for McAfee below.
Let us call and talk to McAfee for you
Our AI powered phone can dial, navigate the phone menu, wait on hold, and even talk to customer service for you, for free. You don't even need to learn about the path through the various phone options.
Learn about us calling for you
We can get a live person on the line for you
That same, free GetHuman Phone can call and navigate the menus and wait on hold for you, but you can opt to do all the talking. We notify you when a rep is on the line and ready to talk, so no need to worry about changing menu options and weaving your way through the maze.
Learn about skipping the hold time
Of course, we completely understand if you prefer to do all the dialing, waiting, and talking yourself. All of these free tools are optional.
GetHuman researchers routinely call this McAfee phone number to document the phone system.
Here is how our research team describes the way the McAfee phone system greets you: Billing, recent charges, or managing your account, press 1. Possible fraud or scams, press 2. Identity protection questions, press 3. Technical support, press 4.
Here is our latest tip for weaving through the phone menu to get to a real person the fastest: Press #3
Below are some clips we've found from McAfee's phone menus and tips that help give an idea of what you will encounter when you call. We've highlighted why they are important as well:
Heard when the phone system first answers
"Thanks for calling McAfee customer service. If you have questions about billing, recent charges, or your account, press one. For help with possible fraud or scams, and identity thanks. Just a moment while I transfer you. Calls may be recorded for quality. Thank you for contacting McAfee support."
Why Customers Call McAfee
If you have time to do a bit of reading before you call McAfee, we recommend you read over some of our problem-specific articles.
What is the difference between McAfee Total Protection and McAfee LiveSafe?
The main difference between McAfee Total Protection and McAfee LiveSafe lies in the range of devices each product supports. McAfee Total Protection is designed to provide comprehensive security for up to 10 devices, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets. It offers essential features like antivirus, firewall, ransomware protection, and secure web browsing. On the other hand, McAfee LiveSafe extends its coverage to unlimited devices, enabling protection for an entire household. In addition to the features provided by Total Protection, LiveSafe includes advanced functionalities such as secure cloud storage and password manager. Therefore, while Total Protection is suitable for individuals or small families with limited devices, LiveSafe is ideal for larger families with multiple devices, offering a broader range of security features and unlimited device coverage.
What are the system requirements for McAfee antivirus software?
The system requirements for McAfee antivirus software are as follows: it is compatible with Windows operating system versions 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. For Mac users, it supports macOS 10.14 (Mojave), 10.15 (Catalina), and 11 (Big Sur). A minimum of 2 GB RAM is required for smooth functionality. The processor should be at least 1 GHz or higher, while the hard disk space required is around 500 MB for installation. Additionally, a reliable internet connection is necessary for software updates and threat detection. It is also recommended to use the latest web browser versions, such as Internet Explorer 10.0 and higher, Safari, Firefox, or Chrome, to ensure optimal performance. For more specific details, please refer to the product documentation or contact our support team.
Does McAfee provide protection for mobile devices?
Yes, McAfee provides comprehensive protection for mobile devices. With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it is vital to safeguard these devices from potential threats. McAfee offers a range of security solutions specifically designed for mobile devices running on Android and iOS platforms. Their mobile security applications provide antivirus and anti-malware protection, ensuring that your device remains safe from harmful threats such as viruses, phishing attacks, and malicious websites. Additionally, McAfee's mobile security software includes features like app lock, secure browsing, and anti-theft protection, enhancing your device's security and protecting your personal information. With McAfee's mobile security solutions, you can confidently use your mobile devices knowing that they are well-protected against emerging threats in the mobile landscape.
Top McAfee customer service problems
Click the link above to get answers to just about any McAfee customer service question, including step by step guides for the most complex issues. You can also detail a new issue and get answers instantly.
Below is a sample of recent calls to McAfee, and their purpose. Are any of these similar to the reason you are trying to call?
Renew subscription issue: "I've been trying to renew my protection all day."
Cancel two policies: "So you're gonna cancel two policies. Right?"
Subscription code inquiry: "I just want to know, can I get this code on my subscriptions?"
Report fraudulent charge: "I did not authorize this."
Billing inquiry: "I'm wondering why I was charged on November seventh of this year a charge of one hundred twenty seven dollars and ninety four cents for, it says here, McAfee renewal."
Inquiring about scam legitimacy: "I wanted to check and see if these people are legitimate."
Information about why customers call McAfee is extracted from issues that customers have reported to GetHuman.
Transparency Disclosure
The reviews, classifications, and content presented on our site represent the informed opinions of our reviewers. Our mission is simple: to help our visitors choose the antivirus solution that’s right for them. Our company receives monetary compensation when users buy the products that we recommend by clicking the links featured on our website, AntivirusGuide. Our editorial team puts countless hours of effort into providing accurate information regardless of the amount of monetary compensation received from affiliate links.
Privacy Policy
Signivis SRL ("us", "we", or "our") operates the our website (the "Service").
This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.
We use your data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy, terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, accessible from our site.
Information Collection And Use
We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you.
Types of Data Collected
Personal Data
While using our Service, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you ("Personal Data"). Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:
Cookies and Usage Data
Usage Data
We may also collect information how the Service is accessed and used ("Usage Data"). This Usage Data may include information such as your computer's Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.
Tracking & Cookies Data
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our Service and hold certain information.
Cookies are files with small amount of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device. Tracking technologies also used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information/improve and analyze our service.
You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our service.
Examples of Cookies we use:
Session Cookies. We use Session Cookies to operate our service.
Preference Cookies. We use Preference Cookies to remember your preferences and various settings.
Security Cookies. We use Security Cookies for security purposes.
Use of Data
Signivis SRL uses collected data for various purposes:
To provide and maintain our service
To notify you about changes to our service
To allow you to participate in the interactive features of our service should you choose to do so
To provide customer care and support
To provide an analysis and/or valuable information that can be used to improve our service
To monitor the usage of our service
To detect, prevent, and address technical issues
Transfer Of Data
Your information, including personal data, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
If you are located outside of Romania and choose to provide us with information, please note that we transfer all data, including personal data, to Romania for processing.
Your consent to this privacy policy followed by your submission of such information represents your agreement to the aforementioned transfer.
Signivis SRL will take all steps necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with our privacy policy. Your personal data will not be transferred to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place, including the security of your data and other personal information.
Disclosure Of Data
Legal Requirements
Signivis SRL may disclose your personal data in good faith that such action is necessary:
To comply with a legal obligation
To protect and defend the rights or property of Signivis SRL
To prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with our service
To protect the personal safety of users and the public
To protect against legal liability
Security Of Data
The security of your data is important to us; however, it needs to be clear that no method of transmission or electronic storage over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Service Providers
We may employ third-party companies and individuals to facilitate services ("Service Providers") on our behalf or to assist us in analyzing how our service is used.
These third parties have access to your personal data strictly to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use the data supplied to them for any other purpose.
Analytics
We may use third-party service providers to monitor and analyze the use of our service.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.
Install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on to make your activity private. This add-on prevents Google Analytics’ javascript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from recording and sharing your information.
For more information on Google’s privacy rules, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en
Links To Other Sites
Our service may contain links to other sites that we do not operate. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to their site. We strongly advise you to review the privacy policies of every site you visit.
We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. Children's Privacy
Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 18 ("Children").
We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from anyone under the age of 18. If you are a parent or guardian and know that your children have provided us with personal data, please contact us. Should we become aware that we have collected personal data from a minor without parental consent, then we’ll take the appropriate steps to remove it from our servers.
Changes To Our Privacy Policy
We may update our privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new privacy policy on this page.
You’ll be notified via email, and a prominent notice will be posted on our service before the change becomes effective. The "effective as of” date will be displayed at the top of our privacy policy.
You are advised to review our privacy policy periodically for any changes. Changes to our privacy policy are effective as soon as they are posted on this page.
No Liability Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for informational and comparison purposes only. We do not provide any warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the content. While we strive to present up-to-date and accurate information, antivirus software features, pricing, and performance may change over time.
Users are responsible for conducting their own research before making any purchasing decisions. We do not endorse or promote any specific antivirus software or security product. Any reliance you place on the information provided is strictly at your own risk.
We are not liable for any losses, damages, or issues that may arise from using any antivirus software mentioned on this website. Additionally, we do not provide direct technical support, activation services, or customer assistance for any third-party software.
By using this website, you agree that we are not responsible for any security breaches, data loss, or system failures that may result from the installation or use of antivirus software. If you require professional assistance, please contact the respective antivirus provider directly.