McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 Review

What the reviewers like:
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 does a better job of preventing malware than some antivirus programs. The program includes anti-spyware protection and a firewall.

What the reviewers don't like:
Experts say that McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 is a severe resource hog. The program is excessively difficult to remove. McAfee is only average at preventing malware. Extreme slowing is the most common customer complaint, but installation and removal are insurmountable challenges for many. Some reviews say McAfee VirusScan Plus conflicts with other programs, even non-security applications.

McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 review highlights

McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 is on the borderline between an antivirus program and an Internet security suite, but McAfee isn't offering a standalone antivirus program this year. Test labs indicate that McAfee is average at preventing malware. However, reviewers agree that McAfee VirusScan Plus causes an unacceptable drain on system performance. Customer reviews at Newegg.com, Amazon.com, and CNet.com are predominantly and strongly unfavorable. Program users complain about conflicts with other programs. Even acknowledging that unhappy customers are most likely to write reviews, McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 receives extraordinarily low average ratings.

Although McAfee is the number two brand in security sales, McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 isn't widely reviewed by reputable sources. Computer Shopper has the best review; it details performance testing. CNet.com has a decent, but less than comprehensive and conclusive review. Consumer Reports only reviews the previous version. Articles from Consumer Guide, TopTenReviews.com, and 6StarReviews.com offer no test results and no evaluation of affect on system resources or compatibility with other security programs. User reviews cover those issues better, and even offer more comparisons with other security programs.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Computer Shopper
Labs: Anti-virus software
Simon Edwards
Feb. 2007

British magazine Computer Shopper directly compares a dozen antivirus programs. Performance testing is competently done, although the results are different from other organization's conclusions. The reviews don't address compatibility with other security programs, rarely mention affect on system resources, and ratings often don't jibe with results and commentary. According to this review, McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 has little to offer beyond a well-known name.

2. CNet.com
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007
Contributors to CNet.com

McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 has nearly 50 user reviews at CNet.com, and the average rating is very low. The small minority who like the antivirus program generally comment that it's better than past versions of Norton Anti-virus. Customers despise installation, removal, incompatibility, tech support, and especially extreme system drag.

3. Amazon.com
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

Although Amazon.com customers lack the tools to gauge the effectiveness of antivirus software, most customer comments indicate that they've used multiple past versions of Norton and McAfee programs, which provides a frame of reference. McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 has a few dozen user reviews; installation problems, customer service, software conflicts and system slowing are the big issues.

4. CNet.com
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007
Robert Vamosi
Updated Mar. 20, 2007

CNet does not test effectiveness in preventing malware; it relies on outside lab tests. Robert Vamosi overrates features and support, and doesn't evaluate compatibility. However, Vamosi thoroughly measures how each program affects computer speed. McAfee VirusScan Plus earns the second lowest rating of eight reviewed antivirus programs.

5. Consumer Guide.com
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Mar. 21, 2007

This very short article is more a summary of features, installation, and usage than an evaluative review. No testing appears to have been performed, so this 'review' of McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 isn't useful.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software

McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 Review