Print this article  |  E-mail this article  |  Comment on this article

McAfee seeks beta testers for Total Protection suite

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

May 28, 2008, 3:56 PM

Security software vendor McAfee is seeking beta testers for its Total Protection suite, which combines 12 tools into one, much like Microsoft's Live OneCare and Symantec's Norton 360. Although the company doesn't specify, it's likely testing the 2009 edition of the product, which is version 3.0.

McAfee also has its Personal Vault software in beta, and those who join the company's beta program can try out both. Personal Vault, which is a new product that entered testing last year, encrypts files and folder with a password. McAfee's beta program is free and U.S. residents may be eligible to obtain rewards including gift cards or certificates and other prizes.

Add a Comment (12 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Name (required):

E-mail (required):

Enter Your Comment:

By gregmlr

posted May 29, 2008 - 1:56 PM

After going to the McAfee Beta Labs website, the first message I encounter is:

Your Browser Isn’t Supported.

If McAfee can't even build a website that will work with Safari, I don't expect them having much luck safeguarding anyones computer.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 29, 2008 - 4:56 PM

*laughs*

Because web-design and security are the same thing, right?

That's some entertaining logic you have there.

Score: 0

By CyberDoc999

posted May 29, 2008 - 3:32 AM

I agree McAfee is the worst of the worst consistently using 80-90% of the CPU!
NOD32 please

Score: 0

By gregmlr

edited May 29, 2008 - 1:53 PM

Good luck trying to remove Norton from your system.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted May 29, 2008 - 10:50 AM

It helps to actually *use* it before posting stats on it's resource usage.

Hmmmm?

Big NOD32 fan, but I did sign up and download this (mainly because we use it on all of our business systems).

Resource usage is normal for a "suite" type program. It does put some of those resources to good use though. As mentioned below, the network map is nifty and the real-time monitor is a neat little toy.

If it comes even close to it's near bullet-proof enterprise product, it might be a contender based on more than just "it's what we've always used" share.

Score: 0

By Mangesh1

edited May 29, 2008 - 2:11 AM

Hey, I downloaded McAfee beta and it rocks!
Check out the new feature Network Monitor and Network Map.

Score: 0

By foxfyre

posted May 28, 2008 - 10:02 PM

Run!
Do not pass GO!
And keep running!

Score: 0

By TomA102210

posted May 28, 2008 - 8:32 PM

cyrus7 said:

Is anyone willing to install McAfee beta software for the possibility of a free gift card?
---------------------------------------
Yep, on a machine that I don't use for anything except for beta testing. I've never, ever had a problem with a McAfee product.

Score: 0

By p2062007

posted May 28, 2008 - 4:21 PM

I wouldn't even install McAfee's product if I get paid for it. It's one of the worst products produced.

Score: 0

By cyrus7

posted May 28, 2008 - 4:06 PM

"McAfee's beta program is free and U.S. residents may be eligible to obtain rewards including gift cards or certificates and other prizes."

Is anyone willing to install McAfee beta software for the possibility of a free gift card?

Score: 0

By wincement

posted May 28, 2008 - 4:29 PM

I doubt it. That's why I stopped using AOL's free offering, ActiveVirusShield. It used to be based on Kaspersky, but then they went with McAfee.

http://www.activevirussh...ivirus/freeav/index.adp

Score: 0

By FutureDomain

posted May 28, 2008 - 11:21 PM

Yeah, BSafe uses McAfee as well. I had to uninstall it on a client's machine because it was consistently using 80-90% of the CPU. But when I disabled McAfee, voila! Everything ran like normal after that.

My advice, avoid McAfee like the plague and go with Norton, which is the most hands-free security suite of the many suites that I've tried.

Score: 0

Dec 1 - 4:58 PM ET Blockbuster downloads headed for more devices via Live Mesh

Dec 1 - 4:55 PM ET AOL's PlaySavvy speaks to game-shy parental units

Dec 1 - 4:41 PM ET Less bad news than anticipated for the semiconductor industry in 2008

Dec 1 - 3:51 PM ET 'Xohm' makes way for 'Clear,' as Sprint/Clearwire merger moves ahead

Dec 1 - 2:01 PM ET Chasing down the latest Cyber Monday tech deals

Dec 1 - 12:50 PM ET Will 'Cyber Monday' fare better than a weak 'Black Friday?'

Dec 1 - 12:38 PM ET Microsoft Cashback goes offline to Black Friday shoppers

Dec 1 - 11:19 AM ET DTV broadcasters could make another transition to mobile next year

Nov 29 - 1:41 PM ET Teacher must still surrender license in bizarre 'exposure to porn' suit

Nov 26 - 9:19 PM ET Spambots edge back online post-McColo