McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008
The McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008 is referred to by many as a six-in-one security solution because it provides extensive protection to computers via various diagnostic and monitoring tools. VirusScan Plus 2008 has McAfee's own antiphishing tool, system diagnostic tools to shred deleted files and defrag your hard drive, network monitoring tools, and SiteAdvisor.
If you're looking for anti-virus programs, you might want to check out what McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008 has to offer by reading the brief discussions below.
Features
In addition to the anti-virus tools and components that McAfee is known for, the VirusScan Plus 2008 also has IM link-scanning, "State Aware," and the Virtual Technician optional plug-in.
VirusScan Plus 2008 has the ability to scan and rate links that are sent and received in IM messages. This link-scanning feature reportedly works well in the latest versions of Yahoo Messenger and AOL Instant Messaging. The "State Aware" feature allows uninterrupted play of movies, games, and slide shows even though a scan is in progress. No longer would you have to deal with annoying security alerts and status updates that interrupt your work. VirusScan Plus is one of the very few anti-virus products that offer this feature.
The McAfee Virtual Technician is an optional plug-in which, when downloaded and installed properly, will provide free recommendations and diagnoses on the state of the VirusScan Plus 2008 and the overall condition of your computer. This may seem unnecessary to some users, but it's still a useful "extra" to keep you updated on your software and hardware conditions.
Compared with last year's version, VirusScan Plus 2008 now sports anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and firewall features. You will also notice the improvements made in the heuristics of McAfee's System Guards.VirusScan Plus 2008, however, pales a bit in comparison with other anti-virus software in terms of updates. Whereas other anti-virus products can provide hourly updates, McAfee can only promise and deliver daily updates.
Installation and Setup
Just like in the previous versions, VirusScan Plus 2008 uses a bootstrap method of downloading codes and then installing it module by module on your laptop or computer. The difference with this year's version is that the whole process now takes a shorter time to complete. With VirusScan Plus 2008, you first have to download the security center then the product itself. Some users report that they find it strange that McAfee didn't scan their computers prior to installation.
Another noticeable improvement in VirusScan Plus 2008 version is that it now has a mess-free uninstallation process. If you want to uninstall VirusScan Plus 2008 from your computer, you'll have to go to the Windows Control Panel and click on the Add/Remove Software option. Although some anti-virus products make uninstalling easier by providing an uninstall option in the Windows All Programs listing, the extra step is worth it because VirusScan Plus 2008 leaves no traces once it's been uninstalled.
User Interface
VirusScan Plus 2008's interface is not that different from last year's version. There's still the left-hand navigation for all system and software tools, while the right window pane is reserved for system status updates. VirusScan Plus 2008 also has the Security Center integrated in the interface, making it easier for users to view and configure features settings and other advanced tools.
The McAfee SiteAdvisors Web safety ratings is also shown on the interface, helping you avoid unsafe online content and websites. The most interesting quality of the VirusScan Plus 2008's interface is the integration of security, utility, and networking features. This way, the product is easier to use and feels more integrated and whole.