Recently I replaced Symantic Antivirus with McAfee Security Suite. Installation went fine but then I discovered I couldn't upload via FTP to my web site. Called Mcafee and the gal there told my to make changes in my email settings. I said I doubted changing my email settings would make FTP work. She said she "guaranteed" it would. Well, it didn't. After about three days of making system changes it occurred to me that Security Suite has a firewall and so does Windows XP. The Mcafee manual says running both isn't a big problem but if I turned off the Windows firewall I would still be protected. Turned off the Win firewall and FTP immediately started working. Maybe my experience will save someone else some time.

My understanding is that only 1 firewall can be used at a time. Maybe McAfee added that 2 can be used because so many people are uninstalling their product and using the free alternatives Sygate Home and Zone Alarm which work just as well (not bogging down your resources), and are absolutely free. I feel that Norton and McAfee are way over-rated because they are jammed into almost every PC bundle and people are misled into buying them after their 6 month free trial.

Business as usual