McAfee Internet Security 2014

Pros CleanBoot rescue CD solved many installation problems. Very good score in our hands-on malware blocking test. SiteAdvisor toolbar identifies and blocks dangerous websites. Smart firewall won't hassle you. Accurate spam filter can even process webmail. Mozy-powered backup. Shredder, remote management, vulnerability scanner, system tuneup.

Cons So-so score in our hands-on malware cleanup test. Antispam processing noticeably slowed email download. Parental control system is limited and awkward. Bottom Line With its smart firewall, effective malware blocking, and accurate spam filter, McAfee Internet Security 2014 can be a good security suite choice. Just don't rely on it for parental control.

By Neil J. Rubenking

The 2014 security suites just keep rolling in, many accompanied by a standalone antivirus and a feature-packed mega-suite. McAfee Internet Security 2014 ($79.99 direct for three licenses) comes equipped with all the expected suite features as well as a few interesting bonuses.

Like McAfee's entry-level antivirus, the suite features a main window dominated by big, touch-friendly buttons. In fact, the only real difference in layout is that the suite adds a button dedicated to the parental control system. Also like the antivirus, the suite offers a separate Navigation Center, a simple list with links to all security components. Other Navigation Center links let you view reports and security history, manage your subscriptions, and view security information on McAfee's website.

McAfee's entry-level antivirus includes quite a few security features more commonly found in suites. For full coverage of those features, please read my review of McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2014. I'll summarize my findings here.

Better Malware Blocking than Cleanup
On over half of my dozen malware-infested test systems, McAfee ran into installation problems. The impressive CleanBoot rescue CD fixed those problems. Post-scan difficulties on two systems required lengthy intervention by tech support, though.

McAfee and Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security 2014 both detected 75 percent of my pre-installed malware samples, which is on the low side. McAfee scored 5.9 points overall, beating Trend Micro's 5.8. Bitdefender Internet Security (2014) earned the best score among products tested with this malware collection, 6.6 points. For a detailed explanation of my malware removal test, see How We Test Malware Removal.

McAfee Internet Security 2014 malware removal chart

McAfee was a lot more successful at blocking malware attacks on a system that started out clean. Like Trend Micro, it earned 9.2 points in my malware blocking test. Of all products tested with my current sample collection, only two scored higher. AVG Internet Security 2014 and Ad-Aware Pro Security 10.5 tied at the top with 9.4 points. To learn more about how I test malware blocking, see How We Test Malware Blocking.

McAfee Internet Security 2014 malware blocking chart

McAfee participates in testing with all the labs that I follow and gets generally good marks. It averaged 14.25 of 18 possible points in the latest two tests from AV-Test and rated ADVANCED in recent tests by AV-Comparatives. If you'd like to know more about the labs and their tests, see How We Interpret Antivirus Lab Tests.

McAfee Internet Security 2014 lab tests chart

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