Zone Alarm & McAfee

Discussion in 'Software' started by hankroberts, Mar 16, 2011.

  1. hankroberts

    hankroberts Private E-2

    Setting up a new laptop at work, preloaded with McAfee Security Scan Plus. Dell Inspiron with Win7. Downloaded ZoneAlarm Free (use it on three other computers and like it) and tried to install: got a message that it is incompatible with the McAfee program and can't install until SSP is uninstalled.

    Can this be fixed without removing McAfee?
    If not, what firewall is suggested instead of ZA?
     
    hankroberts, Mar 16, 2011
    #1
  2. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Hi

    From what I just read about McAfee's Scan Plus, it is only a scanning tool. It is not a real time protection tool. (http://us.mcafee.com/en-us/local/docs/adobe_mssp_faq.pdf) It claims to also make sure your AV and Firewall are present and accounted for. Personally, I'd find that a useless tool as long as you know they are there and make sure they are updating correctly.

    Based on McAfee's less than stellar reputation, I'd just uninstall it and find another scanning tool. Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware are both good scanning tools...and free if you don't use them real time.

    You did not mention and AV program. Do you have one installed?
     
    LauraR, Mar 16, 2011
    #2
  3. hankroberts

    hankroberts Private E-2

    Sorry: wasn't clear. McAfee installed by the company administrator: not removable. I think the company network uses McAfee stuff, including AV; but we travel with the laptop and often don't have the network available.

    Actually just tried to install AVG free as well, and it would not install either: gave an error message ... "runtime error. This platform is not supported by this installation package." ?? That's from a fresh AVG Free download from here. (added) and I just installed this program to my new home computer with Win7 last night, just fine (NO McAfee).
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2011
    hankroberts, Mar 16, 2011
    #3
  4. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Ahhh. Okay.

    So this is your work laptop owned by your company and set up and configured by the IT dept?

    Are you in the IT department? Have you previously installed security apps on your work computer at that company?

    Depending on the company, and going by my husband's, they can be very picky about what they allow installed. They generally have their own network security set up and don't want any of the employees adding or changing it.

    You'd probably have to talk to your IT department (I'm assuming you are not in that department, so sorry if I'm mistaken).
     
    LauraR, Mar 16, 2011
    #4
  5. hankroberts

    hankroberts Private E-2

    Not quite that formal. Our IT department consists of an accountant and an engineer who happen to be pretty good with computers, taking on Additional Duty as IT. Network stuff is set up; we're not allowed to remove stuff; beyond that we're pretty much on our own.

    On my previous computer I installed several programs including Spybot, ZA, AVG with no problem. Since I installed all these with no problem on my new home computer this weekend, I'm presuming the Win7 is not the problem, but the McAfee (don't have at home) is. I'm just trying to figure if there's a way around tghe McAfee problem, or alternatively if there's another similar program recommended to replace these.
     
    hankroberts, Mar 16, 2011
    #5
  6. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    This is a thread written by our resident Malware Removal expert: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525

    The reason I am linking you with this is because the two apps you are trying to install are not really recommended any longer. Obviously, you should use what you want, but a lot of times, software changes...sometimes for the worse and sometimes for the better. ZA and AVG have gone the former way.


    Okay...I'm not sure how much I'll be able to help you with this so hopefully someone will step in, but:

    Are you running 32bit or 64bit Win7?

    Are you logged on as the Administrator on this laptop?



    Back to Zone Alarm...

    Have you tried disabling the McAfee scan thing by right clicking on the icon in that you should have in the right hand corner taskbar?


    Before going to an a whole lot of trouble with this, I would contact the ones in charge of IT and explain to them that you want to install security on your machine in addition to your network security.
     
    LauraR, Mar 16, 2011
    #6
  7. hankroberts

    hankroberts Private E-2

    The reason I am linking you with this is because the two apps you are trying to install are not really recommended any longer

    Ah. (THIS is why I love this site...) Did not know that: what is now recommended for Win7 (64 bit) for basic free antivirus and firewall? Or are built-ins considered adequate now?

    Added: never mind: it's right there in the article. Got what I need...thanks.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2011
    hankroberts, Mar 16, 2011
    #7

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