So I'm finishing up some work in my office when a popup from McAfee appears on my desktop. It says the latest upgrades are available and would I like to do that now. 'Okay," I thought. It'll only take a minute. So I selected yes and a few minutes later, I had the latest version of McAfee's flagship protection.
The only problem was now, I couldn't get onto the internet!: Since the ONLY thing that had changed was that upgrade, I went into my services folder and disabled McAfee, since it no loger gave me this option from the application itself. Sure enough, I could now get back onto the web. But now I have no protection! What's wrong with this picture?!!?
"This is stupid." I thought and did a system restore. McAfee had now wiped out drivers that I needed in the old version. So it no longer worked!
I fooled with it for several hours now spread out over a couple of days trying to resolve this madness before giving in and calling McAfee's product support. Now why didn't I just do that in the first place you ask? because McAfee CHARGES $2.95 PER MINUTE FOR TECHINCAL SUPPORT!!!!
Let's review:
My system worked fine until THEY suggested this upgrade.
I did and now I've got protection with no internet access (thus no longer requiring protection), OR internet access without the protection I paid for.
Now I need help fixing a problem that THEY CAUSED and they're going to extort additional money from me to fix it.
Didn't the feds arrest the mob for this kind of crap?
To be fair, the first 2 minutes are free. But as you'll spend those 2 minutes on hold, it's irrelevant. They suggested that you call back if you're on hold that long without talking to someone, which, of course throws you further back in line.
I got some nice young and clearly knowlegeable lady to help me with the problem. But I was so annoyed about the charge, that it was difficult to focus. I asked if she got many complaints about the this issue, referring to the $2.95 a minute charge. She thought that I meant complaints about this new upgrade and said, "Yeah, we've gotten A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT THIS ONE." Are you kidding me?!!? They have to know this upgrade is worthless? This is a total shake down!
She got me through the process, which was mostly silence, waiting for things to down/upload, install or re-start. I'd spent over $121 bucks for this thrilling conversation!!!!! Since she was sure this fixed the problem, she suggested that I end the call and just wait for the restart. So I eagerly accepted that advice. Six minutes later the process was complete and I STILL COULDN'T GET ON THE INTERNET!!!
There was no way in hell I was going to waste another nickel with this BS. I removed all of their product from my system and promptly went out and purchased Kaspersky's Internet Security. The guys at CompUSA said this was the best out there now. But I was prepared to just by Norton, if for no other reason than FREE PRODUCT SUPPORT.
I just finished an extensive inspection of the Kaspersky website. They had tons of helpful information laid out in a logical manner and, as long as you're a registered subscriber, their product support is FREE (as in no additional charge), just the way it's supposed to be! I am now bak online AND protected.
From here on out, I am a declared 'McAfee Hater." I will not support them or their products. I will take every opportunity to warn other potential customers about their INSANE BUSINESS PRACTICES and i can't wait for that company to go belly up!
Yeah, I know. I'm just a really pissed off, disatisfied consumer right now at the "point of impact." So my rage is quite fresh. But that doesn't make this warning to you any less viable. When it's time, don't renew your subscription with them. Given their practices, you'll be much happier in the long run.
