See what's under McAfee's new interface Video

See what's under McAfee's new interface Video Transcript

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>> McAfee hasn't done much in recent years to reinvigorate their consumer security suites, but the 2010 version is a bolt of fresh air, at least when it comes to the interface. Hi. I'm Seth Rosenblatt for CNET Download.com, and in this First Look video, I'll be showing you what's new in McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2010. By the way, we're looking at McAfee Total Protection 2010, which has more features than McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2010, but other than that, they look exactly the same. First off, the interface is unlike any of the other major security suites out there. The status bar has been enhanced so that the main message is explained by this secondary one. Just below are colored-coded status notifications. Real-time scanning, updates, firewall, and subscription status sit here on the left, while you're next scheduled scan and a link to change it are on the right. Click a category, and the right pane changes to reveal deeper links into your security status. Real-time scanning, for example, reveals scan, change your scan settings, or adjust real time settings. Below are the guts of the program, virus and spyware protection, Web and e-mail protection, and parental controls if you're using the more expensive program updates, Internet Security 2010 or Total Protection 2010. Mouse over one to get a status update or click through to further configure your security. Each one opens a small group of links that open further information about your scan settings, firewalls and anti-spam controls, and network protections. You will see the biggest feature update in McAfee 2010, which updates the program's real-time defense engine. In the past, it's been a blend of black lists, white lists, and cloud analysis, but in the 2010 version, it works in conjunction with McAfee's site advisor tool to scan downloads as they occur. The scans include real-time URL, IP address, and domain name data to evaluate downloads for threats before they land on your hard drive. The firewall has changed, too, as McAfee has upgraded its home consumer firewall to match the one the company markets to businesses. Along with the name change from the previous Virus Scan Plus to 2010s and to Virus Plus, the new version is much, much faster. The first scan will appear about as fast as the old version, but it marks files as scanned and only checks them again if it notices they've changed. Subsequent scans, both quick and full, should be blazing by comparison. You can go to my blog post on the new version to check out the numbers. Also, McAfee says the startup times are 300 percent faster than before, which gives you an idea of how slow the old version was. This version is definitely more interesting and competitive than McAfee's been of late, and the program didn't interfere with heavy computer use over a half day of testing. With a First Look at McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2010, I'm Seth Rosenblatt for Download.com. ^M00:02:50 [ Music ]