McAfee Security Suite Epic Fail

Between your monthly updates, did you also install a disk cleanup tool, such as CCleaner?  It sounds like you're losing your DNS settings after cleaning your computer....either at start-up or shutdown.  There was a malware a few months ago, DNSChanger, which altered your DNS settings so websites you visited would redirect your information to criminal computers...think about banking, credit card and other sensitive sites.  See http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406720,00.asp and http://www.dcwg.org/

Check your clean-up settings and scan your computer with an online program, such as http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp

Bruce, Thanks for your comments, I just got thru reading that PCMAG article... looks like the way to go is spend the $90 (for a 3-pack) for the Norton Security suite as it is the *Editors Choice*; MacAfee having middle of the road protection with only 3-of-8 "green" catagory recommendations vs. Norton's 8-of-8 in the "Green." BTW, I hate MacAfee as it slows my desktop computer down all the time; my newer Asus laptop (11-months old) came with Norton and it still runs as new - no issues! Both computers are periodically tuned-up by TheGeekSquad  as they provide software troubleshooting for 3 computers (annual fee of $99). I'm going to dump MacAfee as mt time wasted on this sorry product is a huge drawdown to my psyche. Just wondering when Cox will follow suit!  Again, thanks for your helpful comments. Cheers!

Don't waste your money on anti virus. MOST times its malware and spyware that will impact you, get ahold of malwarebytes, its' free, just do a weekly scan. As far as norton and mcaffee are concerned, they aren't big league AV anymore and haven't been for years. If you are going to get a virus it's most likely going to be hieuristic anyways and the antivirus won't help. It only gives you a false sense of security.

I mean, you're basically putting a bandaid on a big gaping wound. Aside from that, mcaffee and norton play *** with your computer. They use far more system memory than they should whereby bogging down the computer and causing conflicts on multiple levels with software. My suggestions is just pick up a freeby type like AVG, kaspersky, or even microsoft essentials which has a much smaller footprint on your computer. Aside from that, pick up malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/) it's a well-written piece of software for detecting minor virus threads but primarily malware and spyware. Most people misdiagnose their problem as a virus when realistically it's malware impacting them.

If you don't like mcaffee slowing your computer down, you're going to hate norton as it does the same exact thing. Heck, I'd get bit defender before I put norton on the computer. If you ever have an issue, norton buries itself so deeply in your registry and your computer it never really goes away upon removal.

I'm glad I could help, but I wasn't recommending a new antivirus program.  I agree with Mat.  If you're removing McAfee from your computer, there are free alternatives.  The problem with Security Suites nowadays (bundled antivirus, firewall, web filtering) is they're too resource intensive.  I open Task Manager and it's all McAfee processes running.  My HP Pavilion...although seven years old...gets blogged down when McAfee scans.  And with the latest update, which removed the Quick Scan option, it's worst.  But tolerable because it scans for an hour when I'm not using it.

I'd follow Mat's advice for the free programs.  Microsoft has security programs already on your computer, such as Firewall, Windows Defender, Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool [Start-->Run-->type MRT] and opt for Automatic Updates in your Security Center [Start-->Control Panel].  You can also lock down your router to only your MAC addresses and use hard-to-crack passwords and encryption keys.

However, to get back to your problem:  why is McAfee losing your DNS settings?  There was also a buggy McAfee update a few months ago (DAT 6807) but a later update resolved it.  After you removed and reinstalled McAfee, could you update it?  Probably not if it loses Internet connectivity.  You can open a ticket at https://community.mcafee.com/community/home/ and the Moderators will do their best to resolve your problem...even remote connect to your computer if you want.

There are free option to protect your computer from evildoers...but if you want to savage McAfee, use the Moderators on the McAfee Community because they've seen everything.  Ex_Brit and Peacekeeper are very good and have been on there for years.