We use the on-prem deployment model. Our primary use case is to permit the user to go to the internet with a sufficient level of a category blocking and anti-malware control.
Security Operations Global Leader at a transportation company with 10,001+ employees
Permits the user to go to the internet with a sufficient level of category blocking and anti-malware control
Pros and Cons
- "It's a solution that permits making a granular configuration and it is easier to deploy the same configuration on a lot of devices using the central console. It is the master of the product."
- "The configuration could be simplified because it is more complex to make the configuration on McAfee. What can be improved is the support of the agent on smartphones, IOS or Android. That still now is not available yet."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
It's a solution that permits making a granular configuration and it is easier to deploy the same configuration on a lot of devices using the central console. It is the master of the product.
What needs improvement?
The configuration could be simplified because it is more complex to make the configuration on McAfee. What can be improved is the support of the agent on smartphones, IOS or Android. That still now is not available yet.
We are not satisfied with the compatibility of the solution with other devices, like smartphones. In the next release, we would like to see the support of smartphones. It's one of the things that we have been asking them for five years.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using McAfee Web Protection for around six to seven years.
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McAfee Web Protection [EOL]
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is absolutely stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is good. It is easy to expand. We have more or less 100,000 of users right around the world that use this solution. All the people that work in our company use this solution to browse the internet. Anybody from the financial department, manufacturing, development, etc..
Currently, it's used by 100% of the people that work in our company. We have no visibility to expand. It would be useful to move from an on-prem to a cloud solution.
How was the initial setup?
It is complex to set up the infrastructure. Defining the rules that permit or denies the internet address is complex. Also if you have to connect the appliance to different active directory domains, there is a complicated procedure to create the token that you have to upload on the device on.
The deployment took three to four weeks.
What about the implementation team?
We used McAfee Professional Services for the deployment. They offer support for the first two weeks of the activity.
What other advice do I have?
McAfee Web Protection is good technology. Absolutely. It has a very particular configuration that you can implement in a granular way. What is probably not easy to do is to do something simple.
I would rate it an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Information Technology Security Consultant at Infosec Consulting ltd
Web Protection that does what it says it will and what you want it to
Pros and Cons
- "It has dependable anti-malware and intrusion prevention features all-in-one package."
- "The manufacturerers should have more transparancy about exactly what is getting filtered when you use the product and why."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use is the malware protection capability. Sometimes we use it for the firewall features, but normally it is just a straight antivirus product for us.
I work with clients to get it installed and I also use it personally.
What is most valuable?
The most important feature for us is the anti-malware. It does have the IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) capabilities in there. I have used that personally as well and it is a nice feature.
What needs improvement?
I do not know if you really need to improve Web Protection. The only thing I can think of that might be negative is that sometimes I get a feeling that web protection products are purposely filtering some sites that are not really malicious. I do not know if they try and guide you toward particular websites or away from others for marketing purposes. I do know that if you do not use web protection, you tend to see more websites. The dangerous ones are filtered. Maybe more transparency on what the filters do would be good.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working for maybe about 10 years now with McAfee.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of McAfee is good. No complaints.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Web Protection is scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not personally contacted technical support but I have gotten feedback from people who have. Most people are satisfied with the fact that they do not have to struggle with the product so there is not much reason to be in touch with the technical support team. I have not heard people saying anything bad about the support itself, so I guess that is a good thing.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used Websense by Forcepoint a long time ago. The main difference is that Websense was an appliance. So that was installed in the server room and then configured with policies and it was centrally managed. McAfee is not server-based, so you can install it on your own device — anywhere that you like really. McAfee may be easier to deploy and handle.
How was the initial setup?
I think the initial setup is pretty straightforward.
What other advice do I have?
The advice I would give to people who want to use McAfee Web Protection would be that I recommend the product. I think that it is good.
On a scale from one to ten where one is the worst and ten is the best, I would rate Web Protection overall as about an eight. It has got some room for improvement, but I also never give people a ten.
It does what I want it to do, generally. I think it definitely does what it says it does.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
McAfee Web Protection [EOL]
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about McAfee Web Protection [EOL]. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Founder/Director at Augesys Solutions Pvt Ltd
Reliable and integrates well
Pros and Cons
- "McAfee Web Protection was a good tool because in the olden days when you had to use a proxy tool when browsing the internet. Today the logic has changed slightly, in the sense your protection's taken onto the cloud. You'll exit a predefined gateway on the cloud before your internet browsing happens and therefore you're secured."
- "In McAfee Web Protection there are gaps in the security design, in the overall architecture, the gaps need to be fixed."
What is most valuable?
McAfee Web Protection was a good tool because in the olden days when you had to use a proxy tool when browsing the internet. Today the logic has changed slightly, in the sense your protection's taken onto the cloud. You'll exit a predefined gateway on the cloud before your internet browsing happens and therefore you're secured.
What needs improvement?
In McAfee Web Protection there are gaps in the security design, in the overall architecture, the gaps need to be fixed.
McAfee Web Protection doesn't give you a unified tool, which I will install the Web Inspector on my laptop and everything is taken care of. There are other components you need to purchase, without additional features your protection circle is not closed up.
It will start working better if you are integrating it with your endpoint security on McAfee. When using McAfee Web Protection at full scale, you must have what McAfee calls a CASB solution, a client access security broker. If this is in place your entire system security is good, otherwise, there are loopholes for vulnerabilities.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used McAfee Web Protection within the past 12 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
McAfee Web Protection is a stable solution.
What other advice do I have?
I have stopped using McAfee Web Protection and I now use ESET.
My advice to others is that when using McAfee Web Protection, use it along with your endpoint security and don't have very high hopes of this solution alone, you must have the other components in place.
I rate McAfee Web Protection an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Manager of BI at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Easy to use and it protects our BI data from web-based threats
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of this solution is that it protects against threats that are coming from the web."
- "The solution should be more proactive in regards to sending you updates."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is for security related to data that is coming from the internet.
How has it helped my organization?
This product simplifies the risk of creating additional customized solutions for data threats.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of this solution is that it protects against threats that are coming from the web.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see easy-to-use documentation regarding new threats.
The solution should be more proactive in regards to sending you updates. Rather than simply being informed of an update and then have to click on it if you want to, the service packs should be installed automatically.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of this solution is ok.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support is good, but it's always "I'll call you back", especially when there are no threats.
We usually just call our IT department and they take care of it. On a couple of occasions, I have called them directly. I'm in the BI world, so our environment needs to be very secure. I think that they should have different levels, or tiers, like a general user, advanced, and your pros. Instead of going back and forth several times, talking with customer support, it would be easier.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not use a solution prior to this one.
Using this type of solution is best practice in the industry. It is easy to use and it is affordable.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We handled the deployment in-house.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The IT department was responsible for choosing the vendor.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this product but at the same time, I would first check to see if there are any newcomers in the market. I would then do a proof of concept and test it out.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Consultant at a tech consulting company with 1,001-5,000 employees
The URL filtering policy makes rules to block a website where a user should not be able to access it
What is most valuable?
The feature which I have found most valuable is the URL filtering policy.
This feature:
- Gives me a opportunity to make rules for blocking a website where the user should not be able to access it.
- Then, McAfee Web Gateway also classifies the sites and categories them.
How has it helped my organization?
In a company, where about 1000 end users are active, the McAfee Web Gateway are protecting us from threats.
Sample: A user clicks a link in a spam/phishing email, the URL gets blocked by the reputation/category. The end user is protected from phishing attempts or ransomware campaigns.
What needs improvement?
From the McAfee site, I see no areas for improvement.
As a company or an IT department, you should have a look at the Advanced Threat Defense to build up your security solution with the McAfee Web Gateway.
For how long have I used the solution?
For about two years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
No. No issues at all.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No. No stability issues have been noticed.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
The McAfee customer service is great. As mentioned in my earlier review, this is a top 10 customer service.
Technical Support:10 out of 10. McAfee's technical support is a great way to solve your problems.
Fast response, great assistance, and understanding from the tech support team.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No.
How was the initial setup?
A lot of config will need to be done. If you don't know what you are doing, or if you don't know the product and it's config, you should contact either McAfee or a partner to them for help.
What about the implementation team?
In-house.
What was our ROI?
As a consultant, this isn't applicable to me.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Even if the product, as well with the Advanced Threat Defense costs a lot, it's a long-term investment and will help you with attacks.
However, the first protection should always be knowledge by your users, and second protection should be products, such as the McAfee Web Gateway
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The implementation was already on it's way, so no evaluation of other products was done.
What other advice do I have?
Have a look at the Advanced Threat Defense implementation, and implement it with the McAfee Web Gateway. This is a more advanced filtering of files which could inflict damage upon your company or end users.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: We are gold partners to McAfee where we are working tight together with them.
Business Analyst at a consultancy with 1,001-5,000 employees
A stable solution, although it needs more flexibility
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the ease in the configuration for security roles."
- "We need a better customer experience and more flexibility in the product."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for the user security side of things.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the ease in the configuration for security roles.
What needs improvement?
We need a better customer experience and more flexibility in the product. I would like to put in more roles for the users.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable but it needs more. It is rigid.
How are customer service and technical support?
Another person is responsible for dealing with technical support, so I do not have experience with them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did have an older product but this one had more features so we made the change.
How was the initial setup?
This initial setup for this solution was straightforward.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Security Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Has built-in AV & malware inspection. Full granular policy customization capability.
Valuable Features:
This product has built-in AV & malware inspection. Full granular policy customization capability. SaaS and integration with ePO completes a full security solution (HIPS/IPS/IDS/SWG/AV).
Improvements to My Organization:
Less complex policy to administer, complete visibility with a single pane of glass when integrated with ePO.
Room for Improvement:
Add McAfee Client Proxy agents for mobiles to Web SaaS instead of the consumer based mobile security platform. Adding CASB feature would get McAfee ahead.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Architect at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Stable and affordable with good malware protection
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is not too expensive. It's affordable."
- "The solution could always use more security features. If it was more secure, it would be an even stronger product."
What is our primary use case?
I primarily use the solution on my system to protect me from getting any malware. It serves security purposes, for the most part.
What is most valuable?
The solution does a very good job of protecting my devices from malware.
The solution is quite stable.
The solution is not too expensive. It's affordable.
The initial setup is pretty straightforward.
What needs improvement?
I'm not an IT person, and therefore can't speak to if there are any missing features. For me, it works quite well and I have no complaints.
The solution could always use more security features. If it was more secure, it would be an even stronger product.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for the past two or three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I'm not sure if it can scale. I simply enter the key I purchase onto my device in order to protect it.
I only use it myself on my device. There aren't any other users on the license.
How are customer service and technical support?
I've never dealt with technical support in the past. I can't speak to how knowledgeable or responsive they are. I've never really had issues with the solution.
How was the initial setup?
The solution begins to install automatically when you enter the license key into the website. It's not a difficult process.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution isn't expensive. It's very reasonably priced. I pay a licensing fee in order to use the product.
What other advice do I have?
I'm just a customer and an end-user. I don't have a business relationship with McAfee.
I would recommend the solution to others. It works well for me and it is affordable.
In general, I would rate the solution at a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: November 2024
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Learn More: Questions:
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- What does the Log4j/Log4Shell vulnerability mean for your company?
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McAfee Web Gateway is a great product but you have bunch of alternative solutions sometimes proposed at a more attractive price. You can even build your own Web Gateway based on a Linux box, Squid and SquidGuard or pick a product such as CacheGuard that integrates them into a ready to use appliance.