You've decided to streamline your digital security, and that means saying goodbye to Verizon's McAfee services. Whether you're switching to a different antivirus, or simply want to manage your security more directly, this guide will walk you through the process of turning off and potentially uninstalling McAfee from your Verizon account and devices.
Feeling overwhelmed by security software? You're not alone! Let's simplify this together. By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear path to managing your Verizon McAfee services. Ready to take control? Let's dive in!
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| How To Turn Off Verizon Mcafee |
Step 1: Understand Verizon's McAfee Offerings
Before you start disabling or uninstalling, it's important to understand what Verizon's McAfee services entail. Verizon often bundles McAfee security in various forms, such as:
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Verizon Internet Security Suite (VISS) Powered by McAfee: This was a comprehensive suite providing anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, and other protections. Note: This product is largely replaced by Digital Secure.
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Verizon Digital Secure: This is Verizon's current offering, which may include McAfee components for features like Malware Scan, Safe Browse, and Wi-Fi Scan, along with other security tools like Dark Web Monitoring and VPN.
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Home Network Protection (HNP): This is a router-based security feature managed through the My Verizon app, sometimes powered by McAfee, which protects all devices connected to your home network.
Understanding which service you have will help you determine the most effective method for turning it off.
Step 2: Canceling Your Verizon McAfee Subscription
This is often the first and most crucial step if you want to completely remove McAfee from your Verizon-related services. Simply disabling the software on your device might not stop billing.
Sub-heading 2.1: Through the My Verizon App (for Home Network Protection)
If you have Verizon's Home Network Protection (which might be powered by McAfee), you can manage it directly in the My Verizon app.
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Open/Install the My Verizon app: Make sure you have the latest version of the My Verizon app on your smartphone or tablet.
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Log in: Sign in to your Verizon account with your credentials.
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Navigate to Security Settings:
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Go to the "Home" or "Internet" section.
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Look for "Network Protection" or "Home Network Protection."
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Turn off Protection: You should find a toggle or option to "Turn off Network Protection." Confirm your choice when prompted.
Sub-heading 2.2: Through My Verizon Website (for Digital Secure or Older VISS)
For Digital Secure or older Verizon Internet Security Suite subscriptions, managing them directly through the My Verizon website is often the way to go.
QuickTip: Compare this post with what you already know.
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Access My Verizon: Open your web browser and go to the official Verizon website (verizon.com).
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Log In: Sign in to your Verizon account using your username and password. You may need to be the account owner or manager to make changes to subscriptions.
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Navigate to Add-ons or Services:
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Look for sections like "Account," "Services," "Add-ons," or "Manage Plans."
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If you're managing subscriptions through Verizon's "+play" platform, navigate to "Account" -> "+play."
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Find Your Security Service: Locate "Digital Secure," "Verizon Internet Security Suite," or any other McAfee-related security subscription.
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Cancel the Subscription:
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There should be an option to "Manage" or "Cancel Subscription."
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Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the cancellation. You might be asked to confirm several times or presented with offers to retain the service. Be firm if you intend to cancel!
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Important Note: Canceling auto-renewal is a common way to effectively cancel a McAfee subscription. You can often continue using the service until the end of your current billing cycle.
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Sub-heading 2.3: Through the McAfee Account Website (if purchased directly or linked)
In some cases, your McAfee subscription might be directly linked to a McAfee account, even if initially offered through Verizon.
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Go to McAfee My Account: Open your web browser and go to myaccount.mcafee.com.
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Sign In: Enter your registered email address and password to sign in.
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Manage Renewals/Subscription:
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Look for "Manage Renewals" or "Subscriptions."
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Find your McAfee product subscription.
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Turn off Auto-Renewal: There will usually be an option to "Cancel auto-renewal" or "Turn off auto-renewal." This is the primary way to stop future charges.
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Confirm Cancellation: Follow any further prompts to confirm your decision. You should receive an email from McAfee confirming that auto-renewal has been deactivated.
Step 3: Disabling McAfee Features on Your Device (if installed locally)
Even if you've canceled the subscription, McAfee software might still be installed on your computer. You can temporarily disable its features before a full uninstall.
Sub-heading 3.1: For Windows Users
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Open McAfee Product: Locate and open your McAfee product (e.g., McAfee Total Protection, McAfee LiveSafe) from your Start Menu or desktop shortcut.
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Access My Protection: On the left-hand menu, click on "My Protection" (it usually has an icon of four squares in a 2x2 grid).
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Disable Real-Time Scanning:
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Click on "Real-Time Scanning."
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Click the "Turn off" button.
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You'll likely be asked to select a time limit for how long you want it off. To disable until you manually turn it back on, select "Never."
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Click "Turn off" to confirm.
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Disable Firewall:
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Go back to "My Protection" and click on "Firewall."
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Click the "Turn off" button.
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Again, you might need to select a time limit and confirm.
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Disable Scheduled Scans (Optional):
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Under "My Protection," click "Scheduled Scans."
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Select "Turn off" to prevent future automated scans.
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Disable Automatic Updates (Optional):
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Click on the gear icon (settings) in the bottom-left corner.
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Select "Automatic Updates."
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Toggle the switch to "Off."
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Sub-heading 3.2: For macOS Users
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Open McAfee Product: Open your McAfee product on your Mac.
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Access Preferences/Settings: Look for "Preferences" or "Settings" within the McAfee application, often under the McAfee menu in the top bar.
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Disable Real-Time Scanning and Firewall: The process will be similar to Windows, where you'll find options to toggle these features off. You may need to click a lock icon and enter your administrator password to make changes.
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Disable Scheduled Scans/Updates: Look for similar options to manage scans and updates within the preferences.
Step 4: Uninstalling McAfee Software from Your Device
This is the most complete way to remove McAfee from your computer.
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Sub-heading 4.1: For Windows Users (Standard Methods)
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
Option A: Using Windows Settings (Windows 10/11)
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Open Settings: Click the Start button, then click the gear icon to open Settings.
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Go to Apps: Click on "Apps," then "Installed apps" or "Apps & features."
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Find McAfee: Scroll down the list until you find "McAfee Total Protection," "McAfee LiveSafe," or any other McAfee product.
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Uninstall: Click the three dots next to the McAfee product and select "Uninstall."
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Follow Prompts: Follow the uninstallation wizard's prompts. Make sure to check any boxes that ask if you want to remove all related files.
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Repeat for WebAdvisor: If "WebAdvisor by McAfee" is listed, repeat the uninstallation process for it.
Option B: Using Control Panel (Older Windows Versions or Alternative)
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Open Control Panel: Press
Windows key + Rto open the Run dialog, typeappwiz.cpl, and press Enter. -
Find McAfee: In the list of programs, find "McAfee Total Protection" or "McAfee LiveSafe."
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Uninstall: Right-click on the McAfee program and select "Uninstall/Change."
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Follow Prompts: Proceed with the uninstallation wizard, ensuring you select to remove all associated files.
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Repeat for WebAdvisor: If present, uninstall "WebAdvisor by McAfee" as well.
Sub-heading 4.2: For Windows Users (Using McAfee Removal Tool - MCPR)
Sometimes, McAfee can be stubborn, leaving behind leftover files. The official McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) tool is designed for a cleaner uninstall.
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Download MCPR Tool: Go to the official McAfee support page (a quick search for "McAfee MCPR tool" will usually lead you there) and download the latest version of the MCPR tool. Always download directly from McAfee's official site to avoid fake tools.
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Run as Administrator: Locate the downloaded
MCPR.exefile (usually in your Downloads folder), right-click it, and select "Run as administrator." -
Follow Prompts:
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Click "Next" on the welcome screen.
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Accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).
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You'll likely encounter a CAPTCHA screen; type the characters exactly as shown (it's case-sensitive) and click "Next." This prevents accidental use.
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Allow the tool to run. This can take several minutes.
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Restart Your PC: Once "Removal Complete" appears, click "Restart" to finalize the removal process. Restarting is crucial for a clean removal.
Sub-heading 4.3: For macOS Users
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Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock.
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Go to Applications: In the Finder sidebar, click on "Applications."
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Find McAfee Uninstaller: Look for an application named "McAfee® Total Protection Uninstaller" or similar.
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Run Uninstaller: Double-click the uninstaller application.
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Follow Prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions. You'll likely be asked for your administrator password to proceed.
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Confirm: Click "Finish" once McAfee has completed uninstalling.
Step 5: Verify Removal and Consider Alternatives
After you've followed the steps above, it's a good idea to:
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Restart your computer (if you haven't already).
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Check your installed programs list (Windows Settings -> Apps -> Installed apps or Control Panel -> Programs and Features) to ensure McAfee is no longer listed.
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If you intend to stay protected, now is the time to activate Windows Defender (which is built into Windows and often automatically re-enables when third-party antivirus is removed) or install your preferred alternative antivirus software.
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Check your Verizon bill in the next cycle to ensure the McAfee-related charges have been removed. If they haven't, contact Verizon customer support.
By following these steps, you should successfully turn off and remove Verizon's McAfee services from your account and devices.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
How to check if Verizon Internet Security Suite is still active on my account?
You can check by logging into your My Verizon account on the website or through the My Verizon app. Navigate to your "Services," "Add-ons," or "Subscriptions" section to see if Verizon Internet Security Suite or Digital Secure is listed as an active service.
How to re-enable McAfee after turning it off temporarily?
If you only disabled McAfee features on your device, open the McAfee application, go to "My Protection," and toggle the "Real-Time Scanning" and "Firewall" switches back to "On." If you disabled it via the My Verizon app for Home Network Protection, simply toggle it back on in the app.
How to remove McAfee WebAdvisor from my browser?
McAfee WebAdvisor is often a browser extension. You can usually remove it by going to your browser's extensions/add-ons settings (e.g., in Chrome: chrome://extensions/, in Firefox: about:addons, in Edge: edge://extensions/) and removing or disabling the McAfee WebAdvisor extension.
How to get a refund for my Verizon McAfee subscription?
Refund policies vary. Generally, if you cancel a subscription, you might be eligible for a pro-rated refund for the unused portion, especially if you cancel soon after being charged. Contact Verizon customer support or McAfee customer support (if you purchased directly) to inquire about refunds.
How to prevent McAfee from reinstalling after I turn it off?
If McAfee came pre-installed on your computer, it might attempt to reinstall or reactivate. The most effective way to prevent this is to fully uninstall it using the methods described in Step 4, especially the McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR), to ensure all components are gone.
QuickTip: Read in order — context builds meaning.
How to tell if McAfee is actually uninstalled or just disabled?
After uninstallation, check your "Installed apps" list in Windows Settings or "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel. If McAfee is no longer listed there, it's uninstalled. If it's still listed but its features are off, it's only disabled. Running the MCPR tool is the best way to confirm a clean uninstall.
How to switch to a different antivirus after removing McAfee?
Once McAfee is uninstalled, Windows Defender (Windows Security) on Windows PCs will often automatically activate. You can then download and install your preferred third-party antivirus software. Make sure to only have one active antivirus program at a time to avoid conflicts.
How to contact Verizon customer support for help with McAfee?
You can contact Verizon customer support by calling their main customer service line (usually found on your bill or Verizon's website), using their online chat support, or visiting a Verizon store. Be prepared with your account details.
How to manage my Verizon +play subscriptions, including security services?
Log in to My Verizon on a web browser, navigate to "Account," then select "+play." From there, you can click "Manage" at the top, then go to the "Active" section to view and manage your subscriptions, including canceling them.
How to secure my home network without McAfee's Home Network Protection?
You can secure your home network by ensuring your router has a strong, unique password, enabling WPA2/WPA3 encryption, regularly updating your router's firmware, creating a separate guest Wi-Fi network, and using a reputable antivirus/firewall on individual devices.
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