If you’re looking for a suite that protects a wide variety of devices, Micron Associates gives you McAfee All Access. In addition, it has some very useful PC protection modules, particularly for home networks, although they’re somewhat of a mixed bag.
Like the other suites reviewed here, McAfee won’t clog up your system by using too much RAM or system resources. However, if you’re looking for a useful Web-based dashboard, or a more complete Android solution, you’d best look elsewhere, notably to Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete.
McAfee All Access
McAfee All Access offers the widest range of security tools of the suites in this roundup. With one subscription, you get protection software for an unlimited number of Windows PCs, Macs, Android smartphones and tablets, and BlackBerry and Symbian smartphones. Because it covers more mobile operating systems than its competitors, it’s the one to choose if you have multiple types of smartphones — unless it’s an iPhone.
Windows protection
On PCs, McAfee gives you malware protection, a firewall, anti-spam software, Web security, parental controls, a system cleanup tool, online backup, a “digital vault” that protects files you don’t want seen by anyone else, a disk defragmenter…and yes, more as well. It’s all presented in a neat, compact interface that makes it simple for you to see at a glance what tools you’re currently using and to turn any on or off. McAfee Total Protection also lets you customize the way those tools work to a significant degree.
OS X protection
McAfee All Access: OS X
You don’t get nearly the same suite of tools on a Mac that you do on a PC — nothing beyond basic protection. That means no Traffic Monitor, no Home Network Defense, no digital vault and no disk defragmenter.
However, you do get a straightforward malware scanner that scans your Mac for threats. You can schedule and customize scans so that only certain folders are scanned. And you also get a quarantine area where you can isolate suspect files. There’s also a scan history and log. The software includes real-time scanning, spyware scanning, and a firewall.
Android protection
McAfee’s Android app offers a malware scanner and a way to locate a lost or stolen device and lock it or wipe its data. These features are considerably better than those provided by Norton One, because they can be done from any Web browser. Simply go into your McAfee Web dashboard, click the Android device that you’ve lost, and then click what you want to do — locate the device, lock it remotely, or wipe its data remotely. It also supports backing up contacts and SMS messages to thecloud and restoring them.
