Windows Driver and support assistant

[uomoinglese]

I bought a new laptop in Nov.19 and got free McAfee antivirus with it. I later found out that I needed a firewall provider to accompany it.
After spending £180 for a 5 year subscription, I thought that was it. Oh no, I get a phone call 9 months later asking if they can remotely check my system. After 1.5 hours I find out I have 2 years subscription on firewall and 1 year on McKafee. I was charged £130 to install a Windows driver and support assistant. I do have a 45 refund policy according to the invoice.
Can anyone tell me if this is common practise? Or am I just overreacting?
HP laptop windows 10. Also. What is a driver and support assistant and is it really necessary?

 

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to FpcH.

Windows 10 comes with its own, pre-installed Anti Virus. [ Defender ]
This is perfectly adequate.
There was no need to take out a subscription with McAfee

I have never heard of McAfee phoning people and "checking their system".

Windows Driver and Support Assistant
I imagine this informs you of driver and Windows updates.
You really don't need it - especially when it cost you £130

As you have had your system accessed I would be inclined to change your passwords to Banking / Amazon / eBay etc etc

I do have a 45 refund policy according to the invoice.

If this is a 45 day refund I suggest that you get your money back. - on both products if possible.

I have just checked McAfee site and this is the list of products:
McAfee® Total Protection
McAfee® Gamer Security
McAfee® Safe Connect
McAfee® Safe Family
McAfee® WebAdvisor
McAfee® Mobile Security
McAfee® Techmaster Concierge
McAfee® Virus Removal Service

No mention of "Windows Driver and Support Assistant" !!
Presumably you have "Total Protection".
Total Protection does have a "Vulnerability Scanner"

With Vulnerability Scanner, you can update Windows and your apps from one place, streamlining Windows and application updates with a single tool that scans and installs critical updates.

This is McAfee's phone number from their website. Tel: 01753 611000
I suggest you give them a call.

I will ask Starbuck to advise you further. He is a security expert where I am not.

 

[Starbuck]

Hi uomoinglese

I'd say that you have been conned good and proper.

I later found out that I needed a firewall provider to accompany it.

Nope, you didn't.
Windows 10 comes with a firewall installed already and this is perfectly adequate.

I get a phone call 9 months later asking if they can remotely check my system.

Certainly wouldn't have been from the legit McAfee.
They would never ring to check your system.

I was charged £130 to install a Windows driver and support assistant.

If this was the HP support assistant..... it would have been already installed if your system was manufactured by Hewlett & Packard.
If it was the Intel Driver & Support Assistant .... this is a free download and isn't worth having anyway as Windows 10 updates will check for any updates once a month anyway.

Can anyone tell me if this is common practise?

No, certainly isn't.

As for McAfee, this is best removed..... I'd never recommend the program.
In fact when John McAfee sold the company he said that it was one of the worst products on the market and he was glad to get rid of it.

John McAfee: McAfee antivirus is one of the worst products on the planet

As Ken has already stated.... The built in Windows Defender is perfectly adequate ( I run that on 2 of my systems and have never had a problem).
If you really wanted a paid for AV program, I'd suggest Eset Nod32 ..... a 3 year license will only cost about £63.00 at the moment.

NOD32 Antivirus for Windows

Get legendary protection with NOD32 antivirus for Windows. Protect yourself from the latest threats now.

www.eset.com

If you have a chance of getting your money back, I'd definitely go for it.

 

[KenB]

Just one more thought:
If you gave your card details I would cancel your card now !!

 

[uomoinglese]

Thank you for all your replies. I get the impression now that what I bought is more for multi device business users than individuals. I shall know better next time. Thanks again everyone.