What to do?

[crazyhorse]

Greetings to all,
I am using McAfee for me email and virus protection, problem is that about every third or fourth time I go on line with the web I have an icon come up that tells me that the Virus scan is being downloaded, why does it have to download so often?
While it is downloading the computer is sluggish and unresponsive, can someone offer some help, please.
many thanks,
Frank aka crazyhorse

Windows XP home edition

[bufordt]

Greetings to all,
I am using McAfee for me email and virus protection, problem is that about every third or fourth time I go on line with the web I have an icon come up that tells me that the Virus scan is being downloaded, why does it have to download so often?
While it is downloading the computer is sluggish and unresponsive, can someone offer some help, please.
many thanks,
Frank aka crazyhorse

Windows XP home edition

Try SpyBot Search and Destroy and or AdAware to see what the come up with. Both of these programs have free versions. Google for them to find a download site.

[bigH2O]

Virus definitions will have to be updated regularly. When it says it's having to download, it is updating the software so that you have the latest protection the company can offer.

I don't have a particular opinion one way or the other about McAfee's AV software, so I can't offer suggestions as to whether to dump it or keep it... but if its update process is creating that much trouble for you it might be time to find a different software package. Just be aware that *any* software package that you use for anti-virus or anti-spyware protection will have to be updated on a regular basis in order to remain effective, whether you update it manually or let it update itself.

[jrbooe]

I have had much greater success with Macafee detecting viruses than symantec programs, however, on a couple of the machines I am using I am finding AVG to be just as effective. I do appreciate the constant updates Macafee has although it is a pain when you are in the middle of something and it decides to update. I have sworn by Macafee for years and have never liked Norton. Trend Micro has always done a decent job for me as well. I have 7 machines networked in the house, on which 3 have Macafee, 2 have AVG 1 is using Trend Micro and the other is going to be switched from Macafee to AVG as I do find it much more user friendly and it is a guest computer.

[crazyhorse]

Thanks Guys,
McAfee is downloading as I am replying to Y'all, it's a vicious cycle but I suppose it's better than the alternative, having a machine full of virsus's and worms.
Many thanks,
Frank aka crazyhorse

[Zero Tolerance]

I dont think that you will have any better luck with another product. I say this because of your system specs in your signature.

Your hardware is the bottleneck in this issue. I would think that pretty much all of the AV titles out there will make your PC have less than desirable performance during an update simply because of the older hardware you have.

[bufordt]

You can also go into the update scheduler and have McAfee update only at certain times. I run McAfee on 75 networked computers here at the office and if it slowed down my systems, I would have a lynch mob to contend with. Just schedule it to check for updates once a day at a time when the computer will be idle.

[crazyhorse]

Yes,
I think y'all are correct, the system is old and needs replacing, just been putting it off because of the cost, and I will try to adjust when the MnAfee program does it's updates.
I thank you all for your input.
crazyhorse

[jrbooe]

I agree with Big on Spybot or Adware for spyware. I have just started kciking the tires on adware again and it, just as I found with xsoft picks out spyware that Spybot doesn't detect, jsut as the same with spybot to xsoft. I have found running two different spywares has been most effective. I recently had to trash a drive and start from scratch on a macafee download as the machine I was working with was so loaded with viruses it wouldn't even load up any anti virus programs. Started out from scratch with it and the owner of the machine is very happy with the end result.

[crazyhorse]

Thanks ,
I appreciate everyone's help, have been looking around and I think I will, when my money gets right, buy a new H/P system and retire this thing.
Thanks again,
Frank aka crazyhorse

[vantim]

You guys may want to check out a newer program called threatfire. I've been testing for awhile now. It's pretty darned good. www.threatfire.com