McAfee All Access

Bottom Line

McAfee All Access certainly isn't short on features; it protects an unlimited number of Windows and Apple devices while providing perks like parental controls and mobile security. It's a great choice for Mac/PC households, but McAfee doesn't test as well as its competitors on performance, and there are some quibbles about installation.

Ease of Use

Easy to use, install. While installation seems to be a breeze in professional tests, some Amazon.com users say otherwise. McAfee All Access is similar to other multiple device protection suites in that it provides a plethora of features, online management and a pick of McAfee's software. The software is available via download only, and devices and their security defenses are managed online. PC users can choose to install McAfee Total Protection 2013, McAfee Internet Security 2013 or McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2013, but the latter offers the least protection. Mac users pick between McAfee Internet Security for Mac 2013 (with dual firewall defenses) or McAfee VirusScan for Mac (which focuses on scanning for malware.) McAfee Mobile Security 2013 is included as well.

Features

An array of privacy, online and malware defenses. Features are McAfee All Access' strong suit. First off, McAfee covers an unlimited number of devices for one user. Families can get McAfee All Access Household (*Est. $150) , which protects up to five users. McAfee has antivirus and antiphishing capabilities, along with a password manager called SafeKey (helpful in managing multiple logins and passwords.) Other bonuses include online parental controls, social network and identity theft protections, blocking of suspicious spam and email as well as data and privacy controls for smartphones and tablets.

You can locate and track your devices via the software's online management tool; if they end up in the wrong hands, you'll be able to lock or delete the data. McAfee All Access also includes 2 GB of cloud storage for each device, up to 15 for individual subscriptions; a family subscription costs more. The Mac software has fewer features, but still provides solid defenses against malware and phishing. 

Performance

Underwhelming. As with many multiple-device security suites, there aren't many performance reviews of McAfee All Access; most tests are instead for the individual software, such as McAfee Total Protection. Unfortunately, this is where McAfee falls behind its competitors. McAfee products generate decent scores in lab tests, but are almost never at the top of an increasingly competitive field.

One lab, AV-Test.org, certifies McAfee Internet Security 2013 but gives it a 12 out of 18 score with particularly low marks for repairs; its ratings in another lab test by AV-Comparatives.org, aren't much better. British publication PC Advisor says that McAfee All Access 2013 is one of the slower products it has tested. Still, PCMag.com gives McAfee All Access its Editors' Choice Award, along with Norton One (*Est. $150 for 5 devices) . PCMag.com recommends McAfee All Access for those who need a lot of flexibility. "For the high-tech hotshot with dozens of devices, it's a hands-down winner."