We have all heard the recent news about VW and the fact that their cars are not actually doing that. They're deficient in some way and this is set to cost the company millions.
But what about other products that are advertised to do something and don't?
Ronseal advertise their products with the phrase, "Does exactly what it says on the tin", and it does.I wish that could be applied to all products, but sadly, this is not the case, as I have found out.
My experience however, has not been with Ronseal - my experiences with their products are that their claims are true: their products do exactly what they suggest they will.
No, my recent experience concerns McAfee's Virus protection software.
It's a sad fact of life that we all need virus protection on our computers, as malware, viruses and other malevolent code can attack our computers at any time.
These attacks can cause all sorts of problems, as most of us have documents, photos, videos and many other files on our computers that we hold dear and on top of those, we also have information regarding our banking, mortgages, taxes and much more personal information, none of which we can do without, and none of which we want falling into the hands of the unscrupulous elements who would wish to steal our identities.So when you're looking for a virus protection program, which one do you opt for? Do you opt for something you haven't heard of or do you choose something that is recommended to you?
If you're like me, you'll do a little surfing and find out what other people say about the proprietary and lesser-known brands before you shell out your hard-earned on something you're about to trust to keep all the above-mentioned information safe.
Ironically, I was in two minds whether I opted for McAfee or a free system. Avast came very close to being the chosen program, but I thought that there was no way I could get the same level of protection from something that was free compared to something that all the computers sold nowadays are pre-loaded with; at least on a thirty-day trial basis.
Boning up in this instance didn't help, as the information I found, did not warn me about McAfee's issues with Win XP. In fairness, when I first got McAfee, there wasn't an issue.
Yes, I know. XP is an operating system that has ceased to receive support from Microsoft since April 8th 2014. However, as I have discovered, there are many people who like me, continue to use equipment that cannot be upgraded. It may be old, but it's not obsolete - yet and it does exactly what it says on the tin.
McAfee appear to be in denial that their product and XP are incompatible.
Odd really, as they were quick enough to take my money for the second licence, a fee they upped by nearly 50% in the second year and after their product's issues with XP were discovered.
I of course tried the help - which for this is on-line. The program asked me for my country and preferred language, however, my country is France and my preferred language is English. Sure I can converse in French and understand some technical stuff, but it's easier and quicker for me to get through stuff in English, but McAfee wouldn't let me. Naturally, I discovered nothing.
Sending McAfee a message to let them know that I wasn't happy yielded nothing either. Their customer service never even replied to say they would look into it.
Disappointing.
So in a fit of pique, I decided to delete McAfee from my computer. It told me that I still had a valid subscription, so worried that I may be acting in haste, I cancelled the deletion. Lo and behold, it appeared to cure the issue, the download went ahead and everything was again up-to-date.
At that time, my XP machine was used only occasionally, but in the last few days, we have found need for both and once again, as soon as I'd booted it up, McAfee's program went into overdrive, locking all the resources and preventing me from doing anything.
After leaving it for nine hours to download the updates and having pulled a lot of my now very grey hair from my head, I decided I'd had had enough. I uninstalled McAfee and installed Avast instead. Now my machine runs as sweet as a nut and from what I have discovered, Avast is about the best out there, its free download competing with its subscribed counterparts.
Once McAfee runs out on my other machine, it will be uninstalled and Avast put in its place too.
I have of course sent yet another message to McAfee's customer service people to let them know that I cannot deal with products that are not in my opinion, "Fit for purpose". I told them in no uncertain terms that I wasn't happy with the level of service or treatment I have received from them or the way product has failed to work on so many levels. I told them that I would not be renewing my subscription - which went through automatically earlier this year - so this time don't even think about taking my subscription.
I even received a reply this time.
They had disabled automatic payment.
That's the only good thing they have done. They have not - like other companies - asked if there was any way they could improve the service or if they could change my mind, so I can only think they really don't care.
In all honesty, McAfee has kept my machine safe, but I believe I am well rid of this overpriced piece of junk. Okay, it might protect my PC, but it hogs resources and becomes intrusive, preventing normal use of the PC, which I consider poor. In addition, they should have been more forthcoming regarding my XP machine, but instead, they said nothing. I cannot think of a more user unfriendly program and I have been using computers since the days of DOS.
In short, in my opinion. it really isn't fit for purpose.
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