McAfee LiveSafe does have a few limitations, but its device-agnostic approach to security is incredible and worthwhile. Show Pros
Cons
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. If you're going to surf the web, you need to make sure your system is protected. After experiencing figurative spontaneous combustion of your hard drive thanks to malware, I'm sure most of us understand the pain of a vulnerable computer. We decided to put McAfee LiveSafe ($79.99, £50, AU$90) to the test of defending our devices from digital attack. Let's start with arguably the best feature - LiveSafe lets you install the security suite on every PC, Mac and mobile device you have. This is a breath of fresh air from previous solutions that have provided a collection of separate security products. Instead, LiveSafe offers consistent protection across all of your devices. Installation was a cinch - you simply use your product key to download and install the program on as many computer, tablets, and phones as you like. And there's no limit! LiveSafe is compatible with a variety of platforms, including Mac, PCs, and Android, Blackberry and iOS devices. Unfortunately, it's still not available for Windows Phones (weirdly enough) or Chromebooks, but this will likely change in the not-so distant future as the market shifts. Interface and protectionIn terms of interface and usability, the experience is pretty seamless and no-frills. We tested the solution on Mac OS and the design is uninspired (unusual for Mac applications) and somewhat dated. The most important information is displayed in the main window with color-coded information that quickly lets you know if your computer is vulnerable or secure. Access to protection to viruses, web content, spyware and email is easily accessible, as well as basic account information like subscription status and expiration date, with the option to renew. We loved the ability to download McAfee SafeKey, which creates and stores unique, secure passwords and syncs them across all your devices. It installs as an add-on to your web browser or as an app on your mobile devices. Protection with LiveSafe includes anti-malware, antivirus, and hardware-enhanced antitheft protection (similar to Apple's Find My iPhone). The anti-theft protection lets you locate and remotely lock lost or stolen devices, protect against uninstalls and remotely secure data - this is great for smartphones and tablets we may leave behind accidentally. This is an interesting feature additions to LiveSafe as opposed to its predecessors, previously only available for mobile devices, and now available for some PCs. If you had previously been using McAfee Parental Controls, you would be eligible to receive a 1-year license of McAfee Safe Family, at no cost. If you purchased your original AV product directly from McAfee, you should have already received an email with the Safe Family activation code. If you obtained from a Partner like a PC maker or your ISP, the activation code will be coming in the next few months. If you don't get an activation code, you can reach out to Support and explain your situation - and they'll provide you the code and instructions. Otherwise, ping me directly and I'll help you out. What are the weaknesses of McAfee?Heavy System Resources Usage: Mcafee Total Protection uses a lot of system resources, which can slow down your device. Expensive: The software is more expensive compared to other antivirus programs in the market. Limited Customer Support: Mcafee's customer support is limited and not always responsive. What is the difference between McAfee Security and McAfee LiveSafe?Performance Optimization: McAfee Total Protection might include performance optimization features, such as system cleanup tools and performance boosters, to enhance the overall speed and efficiency of your devices. LiveSafe may also include optimization tools, but the specific features can vary between versions. Is McAfee Live Safe a good antivirus?During our in-house testing of real-time protection, we tested 10 live malware samples, and McAfee swiftly found all of them, thus garnering a 100% success rate. However, it let past one malicious application from the web during a malicious URL test, which is why the overall score is 90%. What is the best version of McAfee?Total Protection Premium — Overall Best Value McAfee's Premium plan allows coverage on an unlimited number of devices and provides all of the features of the Plus plan. |
