McAfee VPN Review—Security, Performance, and Limitations
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans concerned about how the government uses people's data increased from 64% in 2019 to 71% in 2023. The research also showed that 67% of consumers understand little about how companies use their personal information.
With the growing need for online security and privacy, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have emerged as a popular solution. One service users can consider is McAfee VPN, but how effective is it?
This McAfee VPN review will examine the service's strengths and limitations to help you determine if this VPN meets your online safety criteria. You'll also discover an effective way to enhance the protection you get with a VPN and keep your online transactions safe.
The information in this review is accurate and up to date as of May 2024. Please visit the official McAfee VPN website for the most recent information.
McAfee VPN Key Features
McAfee VPN can be evaluated across five essential categories:
- Privacy and security
- Speed and performance
- Server network
- Compatibility and support
- User experience and customer support
Privacy and Security
McAfee VPN employs robust privacy and security features to protect users' online activities and data. It relies on AES 256-bit encryption, a security standard that governments and militaries use to protect confidential data from prying eyes[1].
The VPN supports multiple protocols[2], including:
- WireGuard—A communication protocol that provides enhanced security and improved performance
- OpenVPN—Provides strong encryption but slightly slower speeds than WireGuard
- IKEv2—Provides a stable connection and excellent encryption
These protocols help ensure secure tunneling and data transfer, making it difficult for anyone to intercept and decipher users' online activities.
McAfee VPN also has a strict no-logs policy[1], ensuring user activities (connection logs, IP addresses, and browsing history) are not recorded or stored on the VPN's servers.
Additional security features McAfee VPN offers include:
Those looking for more security features, such as the kill switch, which blocks internet traffic if the connection drops, can check out iTopVPN, Hide.me VPN, and Hotspot Shield VPN. These services also have split tunneling, which allows users to connect some of the apps through the regular network while the VPN remains active.
Speed and Performance
Third-party tests show McAfee VPN has a moderate impact on internet speeds, with an average download speed of 22.7 Mbps and an upload speed of 29.8 Mbps[6]. Users looking for VPNs that can handle more demanding online activities should look into Mozilla VPN, Ivacy VPN, and Proton VPN.
The speed and performance of McAfee VPN can also be influenced by factors such as:
- Geographic location
- User's ISP
- The VPN protocol used
- Third-party apps
Server Network
One of the main uses of VPN is bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing relevant content in different countries, such as local news websites while on a business trip or traveling abroad. McAfee VPN allows users to do that via one of 2,000 servers in 50 countries[7].
Users who prefer a VPN with a larger server network should look into the following alternatives:
- NordVPN—has 6,300+ servers in 111 countries
- CyberGhost VPN—offers access to 8,000+ servers in 100 countries
- Surfshark VPN—consists of 3,200+ servers in 91 countries
Compatibility and Support
McAfee VPN is compatible with PCs and mobile phones, and it supports the following operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows
- Google Android smartphones and tablets 8 or higher
- Apple iOS 13 or newer
- Chrome OS
Those who prefer MacOS may want to consider other VPNs, such as Private Internet Access VPN or ExpressVPN.
The service allows up to five simultaneous connections, enabling users to protect multiple devices with one account.
User Experience and Customer Support
McAfee VPN offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and configure according to individual preferences. Users can easily choose options from different server locations and protocols and toggle features like split tunneling and auto-on.
Regarding support, the service provider offers assistance[8] through three avenues:
- 24/7 chat
- Phone
- Self-help articles and FAQs
Pricing
Users can choose from three plans[7]:
- VPN
- Essential—VPN and antivirus
- Advanced—VPN, antivirus, ID theft coverage, personal data cleanup, and online account cleanup
McAfee VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to test the service risk-free.
Online Safety Risks VPN Users Should Consider
While VPNs offer high security and privacy, they cannot protect against all online threats. Hackers using social engineering tactics, like phishing scams, may trick you into revealing sensitive information like credit card numbers, login credentials, or personal data. They usually do so by posing as legitimate entities, such as banks, government agencies, or trusted brands.
Malware attacks can also compromise your security. Even with a VPN, if you click on a malware-infected link or download a malicious file, your personal data can be at risk of theft.
Additional Security Measures Users Can Apply
To complement the protection offered by your VPN and maximize your online security, consider the following measures:
- Understanding social engineering tactics—Being aware of and recognizing common social engineering tactics can help you reduce the chance of falling victim to them. You should be wary of unsolicited emails and social media messages asking for personal information or offering deals that seem too good to be true.
- Practicing safe browsing habits—Avoid clicking on suspicious links, downloading files from untrustworthy sources, or entering personal information on unknown websites. Also, ensure the websites you visit have HTTPS encryption and a valid SSL certificate, indicated by a padlock icon in the URL bar.
- Using virtual cards for online transactions—Virtual cards are connected to a real funding source, such as your debit card or bank account, but replace your financial data with random card numbers at checkout. If a data breach on the merchant's end occurs, a potential hacker will only have access to your virtual card number, while your real financial information will remain safe. Some banks offer this service to their customers, but dedicated virtual card providers like Privacy provide comprehensive customization features on top of robust security.
Protect Your Online Transactions With Privacy Virtual Cards
Privacy Virtual Cards consist of a unique 16-digit card number, CVV, and expiration date. These cards are available to U.S. residents over 18 years old with accounts at U.S. banks or credit unions. You can use Privacy Cards at most websites that accept U.S. Mastercard® and Visa® payments.
In addition to being a BBB-accredited company, Privacy applies numerous security practices, such as:
- AES-256 encryption
- Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) compliance
- 24/7 transaction alerts
- Regular third-party audits
Privacy Card Types and Features
After linking your debit card or bank account, Privacy lets you create three types of cards for your online transactions. Learn more in the table below:
You can also set spending limits and pause or close your Privacy Virtual Cards without affecting your source of funding. When you set a spending limit, Privacy declines any transactions that exceed the set amount, protecting against unexpected charges. When canceling a subscription, you can pause or close the card you used to sign up for it to prevent unwelcome charges as you go through the cancellation process.
Additional Convenience Features
Besides security, Privacy offers several convenient features to streamline online shopping. These include:
- Browser extension—The Privacy Browser Extension ensures faster and more efficient checkouts by autofilling your virtual card details. The extension is available for popular browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Safari for iOS (for iPhone and iPad users).
- Mobile app—With the Privacy App, available for Android and iOS, you can create and manage your virtual cards on the go. After enabling push notifications, you'll receive alerts whenever your Privacy Cards are used or declined, helping you spot unusual card activity promptly.
- 1Password integration—Privacy integrates with 1Password, enabling you to create and manage your cards from a centralized platform.
- Shared Cards—This feature allows your close friends or family members to use your Privacy Cards within the spending limits you set.
- Card Notes—Privacy allows you to set notes on your cards, making online transactions more organized and efficient.
How To Get a Privacy Virtual Card
Getting a Privacy Virtual Card is easy—you just need to follow these four steps:
- Visit the signup page
- Fill out the details required to verify your identity
- Link a source of funding (debit card or bank account)
- Request and generate your first virtual card
You can choose from four Privacy plans, as shown in the following table:
