Macafee antivirus software

[elmarsa]

Newsgroup participants

At a recent senior computer users group meeting it was pointed out to
me that the available retail edition of mcafee antivirus (I presume
this is the latest edition) really messes up win98. I was advised
not to install it but to stay with the present version. I subscribe
to the mcafee updating service and am concerned about renewing next
year in the event that on upgrading mcafee installs the latest version
of their software. What if anything do you experts know about this
potential problem. Any information is appreciated in advance.

elmarsa
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Peacekeeper]

Not that I have seen though thought there was some ME problems

What version of VS are you on at the present.

I will pass the question onto mcafee techs on your behalf
Replied only to 1 forum as do not want to cross post

Peace

 

[Heather]

Why not go to other than McAfee. I use EZ Trust and have for 4 or 5 years
(with WinME, not 98)......but there are other a-v's out there that should
work with your computer. And none of them are all that expensive compared
to McAfee or Norton. Nod, AVG, Avast and so on.

Heather

 

[newsgroups01REMOVEME]

Why not go to other than McAfee. I use EZ Trust and have for 4 or 5 years
(with WinME, not 98)......but there are other a-v's out there that should
work with your computer. And none of them are all that expensive compared
to McAfee or Norton. Nod, AVG, Avast and so on.

Heather

Good advice, I've used main stream AV products and I have to admit,
the Panda's and AVG's of the world do a damn fine job, and sometimes
for the home user, for free.

A freeware page with links to free AV and spyware program:
http://www.urlbee.com?348


later,

 

[Peacekeeper]

Notwithstanding the above posters suggestions I asked our tech and this was
his reply.
"I haven't seen any direct conflicts with 98. Usually conflicts are from
previous version, other anti-virus software, adware, spyware, Virus, etc. As
you are aware. They probably received this recommendation based off of what
someone else said because of troubles that they had."

If you are installing it over an older version always fully clean out the
old version, internet temp files etc. These suggestions are found on
www.mcafeehelp.com faqs.
Peace

 

[Ian Kenefick]

At a recent senior computer users group meeting it was pointed out to
me that the available retail edition of mcafee antivirus (I presume
this is the latest edition) really messes up win98.

Reason: There is a certain bias within software development labs to
making apps work better on more recent versions of the windows platform.
Their retail version leaves a lot to be desired when you compare it to
that of their Enterprise version.

I was advised
not to install it but to stay with the present version.

Good call!

What if anything do you experts know about this
potential problem.

McAfee's more recent retail/home versions are fluffy, convoluted pieces
of shit with good virus detection. Not friendly to the aging Windows 98
at all.

Alternative: www.nod32.com from ESET. Their NOD32 antivirus system has a
winNT/2K/XP & specific version for Win 98/ME This is an excellent
resource friendly piece of kit with a plain user interface and most
importantly excellent virus detection and good support.

Any information is appreciated in advance.

I trust this is ok

--
Regards,
Ian Kenefick

~http://www.IK-CS.com
[email protected]

<USENET>
remove "no-spam_" from my address when replying.

 

[Brian]

At a recent senior computer users group meeting it was pointed out to
me that the available retail edition of mcafee antivirus (I presume
this is the latest edition) really messes up win98. I was advised
not to install it but to stay with the present version.

There is no need to upgrade your AV version provided that the current
version meets your needs and is able to detect the most current viruses.
Most AV companies have not released any AV software revision worth noting in
the past several years.

Brian

 

[Bigbruva]

Just a quick point of clarification on Brian's post.
It is important that the AV software does have a mechanism to update it's
virus signature files so that the application can detect the latest files.
If your subscription is about to expire you will loose this ability so you
should ensure that you have something in place that will keep the signatures
updated.

I have used (and recommend) Computer Associates eTrust EZ Armor which you
can get free for 12 months from the following link
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/

I have not used it on Win98 but it does claim to support this OS so it
should work okay for you.

I hope that helps and good luck, let us know how you get on

BB

 

[kurt wismer]

There is no need to upgrade your AV version provided that the current
version meets your needs and is able to detect the most current viruses.
Most AV companies have not released any AV software revision worth noting in
the past several years.

this is false... virus scanning engines have their technology updated
all the time and newer virus definition files are made with those
updates in mind such that they won't work (ie. fail silently) with
older engines...

 

[edelbeb]

While, imho, it's true that the most recent Mcafee AV cause less in WinXP
than Win98 (probably due to Win98 resources problems), I've run current
Mcafee AV versions on my Win98 disk without significant problems. Then
again, I'm only using Win98 for games that fail under WinXP.

 

[Brian]

this is false... virus scanning engines have their technology updated
all the time and newer virus definition files are made with those
updates in mind such that they won't work (ie. fail silently) with
older engines...

Baloney. Your theory smacks of FUD. "Oh, they will force your to buy the
newest version because the purposely write the updates to break in the older
version." Do you honestly think that an AV company would want that kind of
publicity? If you do, please provide proof if you want us to believe you.

My three year old anti-virus program uses exactly the same anti-virus update
files as the newest version. Both detect the same viruses.

Brian

 

[David H. Lipman]

Actually it is quite true. Especially in the case of McAfee software. It is a symbiotic
relationship of the ENGINE and DAT files that leads to the ability to detect and clean any
given infector. If you don't update the ENGINE (for example the latest McAfee ENGINE is
4400) then at some point the McAfee DAT files won't work properly or to their fullest
capability. That is why McAfee has an End of Life (EoL) for ENGINE files.

The following is McAfee's own text on this subject.

Dave
~ ~ ~
McAfee Security Engine End-Of-Life (EOL) Program

IS YOUR ENGINE UP-TO-DATE? - Anti-virus is only as good as its last update!

Current Engine Information by platform:
- Microsoft: 4400
- Netware: 4320
- UNIX: 4400
- Macintosh OS X: 4240

Engine Security Tips from AVERT and the McAfee Security Engine Development Team
- Updating your DAT regularly files is essential and a MUST!
- Updating your scan engine is just as important and a MUST
- An old Engine WON'T catch some of today's threats
- Sometimes architectural changes to the way DAT files and scan
engine work together make it critical for you to update your scan engine
- AVERT says it makes sense to have as part of your Security Policy
- Program an Engine Update process to take advantage of the latest
technology and stay protected!

The Problem
Between 250 and 400 new detections are added to the DATs monthly by AVERT.
If you're not up-to-date, you are vulnerable to any one of them that gets a
foothold in the field (a.k.a. 'in the wild'). McAfee AVERT releases
regular DAT files, ensuring that full protection is added to all McAfee
products.

The DAT files contain the information required to detect and remove threats
- what to look for and where to look for it. However, today's threats are
evolving almost on a daily basis. Software providers continue to have
operating systems and applications changes that can change the way a
program acts or works and a virus-scanning program may not understand the
changes.

The Solution
Taking this into account McAfee Security regularly updates its scan engine
used by ALL McAfee Security virus detection and removal products. The
engine understands all the different structures in which a virus could lurk
- EXE files, MS Office files, Linux files, etc. Occasionally these changes
require us to make significant architectural changes to the engine as well
as the DAT files. AVERT strongly recommends users of ALL McAfee Security
virus scanning products update the scan engines in the products they have
deployed as part of a sound Security best practices program.

Here's how to check your engine version. Right-click on the McAfee shield
in the system tray, select 'About' and look at the 'Scan engine' version
number. If you need to update, you should update your scan engine
immediately.

McAfee Security Engine End-Of-Life (EOL) Program
Because of the evolving malicious code threat, users should update their
engines as soon as possible upon the release of McAfee Security's latest
scanning technology. When a new engine is released the existing engine
will begin its countdown to its EOL, and will therefore no longer be
supported by McAfee Security. Information on the McAfee Security Engine
End of Life policy and a full list of supported scan engines and products
can be found at: http://www.mcafeesecurity.com/us/products/mcafee/end_of_life.htm

Best Regards,

McAfee AVERT - Anti Virus and Vulnerability Research, Analysis, and
Solutions visit us at www.avertlabs.com
~ ~ ~



| > this is false... virus scanning engines have their technology updated
| > all the time and newer virus definition files are made with those
| > updates in mind such that they won't work (ie. fail silently) with
| > older engines...
|
| Baloney. Your theory smacks of FUD. "Oh, they will force your to buy the
| newest version because the purposely write the updates to break in the older
| version." Do you honestly think that an AV company would want that kind of
| publicity? If you do, please provide proof if you want us to believe you.
|
| My three year old anti-virus program uses exactly the same anti-virus update
| files as the newest version. Both detect the same viruses.
|
| Brian
|
|

 

[kurt wismer]

Baloney. Your theory smacks of FUD. "Oh, they will force your to buy the
newest version because the purposely write the updates to break in the older
version." Do you honestly think that an AV company would want that kind of
publicity? If you do, please provide proof if you want us to believe you.

My three year old anti-virus program uses exactly the same anti-virus update
files as the newest version. Both detect the same viruses.

i understand your misgivings, i wouldn't have thought it likely myself
if it weren't for the fact that the effects have actually been seen in
this group (alt.comp.virus) in the past...

here (http://tinyurl.com/44mow) is a post from dmitry gryaznov (a av
specialist for dr. solomons and later mcafee i believe) discussing this
very thing...

 

[T-Bone]

Actually it is quite true. Especially in the case of McAfee software. It is a symbiotic
relationship of the ENGINE and DAT files that leads to the ability to detect and clean any
given infector. If you don't update the ENGINE (for example the latest McAfee ENGINE is
4400) then at some point the McAfee DAT files won't work properly or to their fullest
capability. That is why McAfee has an End of Life (EoL) for ENGINE files.

I don't disagree with you there. However, it is not exactly a silent
approach as the previous poster was saying. If they make it obvious that
your AV will no longer work, then that's fine. Its also smarter on the part
of the AV company to do it that way then by FUD.

 

[Mike Hall]

It stands to sense that we can't have the facilities that XP offers by just
updating Win 3.1 with the odd patch now and again.. of course, we see
visually what Windows does, and we accept that the change is necessary.. the
same applies to ALL software, whether or not we can see what is is doing..

While I am here, does anybody know where I can buy some bolt-on goodies for
my car?.. I want 4x4, active self levelling suspension, side impact
protection system, airbags, navigation computer, electrically adjustable
seats that are leather and heated, full surround sound stereo, and HID
lighting for now.. a relatively simple update, I would imagine.. I have no
technical experience whatsoever, hence the need for bolt-on parts.. my car
is a 1908 Ford Model T, painted black.. I would like the look of the car to
remain essentially stock.. have e-mailed Chip Foose, but as yet have had no
reply.. .. PLEASE HELP.. I AM AT MY WITS END..

 

[Dave Skipper]

Newsgroup participants

At a recent senior computer users group meeting it was pointed out to
me that the available retail edition of mcafee antivirus (I presume
this is the latest edition) really messes up win98. I was advised
not to install it but to stay with the present version. I subscribe
to the mcafee updating service and am concerned about renewing next
year in the event that on upgrading mcafee installs the latest version
of their software. What if anything do you experts know about this
potential problem. Any information is appreciated in advance.

elmarsa
(e-mail address removed)

I can tell you my McAfee is messing up my Win98SE. The problem arises
when McAfee shows up in the systray at the bottom right of the screen.
I go to start/run/msconfig/startup and remove all things McAfee, then
reboot. The computer works fine until McAfee show up in the tray again.
I had NAV before this and it worked fine with Win98SE.

I switched because we got a deal through my employer. McAfee takes a
long time to check too. Plus I wasn't happy with that plugin we had to
download to keep getting updates.

My two cents.

 

[Dave Budd]

I can tell you my McAfee is messing up my Win98SE. The problem arises
when McAfee shows up in the systray at the bottom right of the screen.
I go to start/run/msconfig/startup and remove all things McAfee, then
reboot. The computer works fine until McAfee show up in the tray again.
I had NAV before this and it worked fine with Win98SE.

I switched because we got a deal through my employer. McAfee takes a
long time to check too. Plus I wasn't happy with that plugin we had to
download to keep getting updates.

My two cents.

For W98, you'll be on 4.5.1 - it did suck a bit. The newer versions are
OK, I find.
I wouldn't touch NAV with yours - every semester I have to clean up a
couple of dozen laptops that had properly configured and updated
(apparently) NAV, that still got hit.
I think your best bet is to dump W98 and move to W2000. Or Linux -
there's a new distro out of Africa that's quite nice, called Ubuntu.

--
Post presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - scrollbars at
the sides of the screen are normal in this format. This high-definition
digital message was created on a run-of-the-mill PC from the restored
35mm negative. To further enhance it, many grammar and spelling errors
and other inaccuracies have been removed using the DB EBD-TC system.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Baloney. Your theory smacks of FUD. "Oh, they will force your to buy the
newest version because the purposely write the updates to break in the older
version." Do you honestly think that an AV company would want that kind of
publicity? If you do, please provide proof if you want us to believe you.

My three year old anti-virus program uses exactly the same anti-virus update
files as the newest version. Both detect the same viruses.

Is this AV program able to read an e-mail message body for the password to an attached zipfile? Why would it want to
have that ability three years ago? Why they would want to now is also a good question.

 

[David H. Lipman]

McAfee Enterprise v4.5.1 with SP1 was extremely stable. No problems noted on W98, WinME and
Win2K. There are quirks with it on WinXP. However, McAfee Enterprise v7.1 works great
under WinXP (and Win2K).

Dave L.



| In article <[email protected]>, das216
| @NOSPAMMYMAMMYadelphia.net says...
| >
| > I can tell you my McAfee is messing up my Win98SE. The problem arises
| > when McAfee shows up in the systray at the bottom right of the screen.
| > I go to start/run/msconfig/startup and remove all things McAfee, then
| > reboot. The computer works fine until McAfee show up in the tray again.
| > I had NAV before this and it worked fine with Win98SE.
| >
| > I switched because we got a deal through my employer. McAfee takes a
| > long time to check too. Plus I wasn't happy with that plugin we had to
| > download to keep getting updates.
| >
| > My two cents.
| >
| For W98, you'll be on 4.5.1 - it did suck a bit. The newer versions are
| OK, I find.
| I wouldn't touch NAV with yours - every semester I have to clean up a
| couple of dozen laptops that had properly configured and updated
| (apparently) NAV, that still got hit.
| I think your best bet is to dump W98 and move to W2000. Or Linux -
| there's a new distro out of Africa that's quite nice, called Ubuntu.
|
| --
| Post presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 - scrollbars at
| the sides of the screen are normal in this format. This high-definition
| digital message was created on a run-of-the-mill PC from the restored
| 35mm negative. To further enhance it, many grammar and spelling errors
| and other inaccuracies have been removed using the DB EBD-TC system.

 

[Rick Ruggiero]

Well I had a very bad experience with McAfee I used to use their AntiVirus
and upgraded to the Internet Security Center; and have been fighting them
for a refund for an 2 months now. After installing their Internet Security
Center and not all of my emails were downloading and I discovered this after
a few weeks when irate customers and business associates started getting
upset. Basically the software DOES NOT WORK and it took so long to get any
help from their "customer support" that I could not get a refund due to the
30 day period expiring.

I have returned to AVG, it is good, reliable, and free.

Don't waste you money upgrading your software with McAfee.

Rick Ruggiero