McAfee VPN Portable is a basic VPN that aims to offer secure internet access to even the most unskilled network users. McAfee is better renowned for its antivirus and security products than VPNs, but the company did purchase industry behemoth TunnelBear in 2018, and Safe Connect is built on TunnelBear technology.
The Safe Connect network is tiny, with only 23 nations to choose from and no city-level options. However, the network is highly distributed, with servers in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and many more sites throughout Europe. This may work for you depending on the level of protection you require in a VPN. If it doesn’t, we have lots of alternatives to assist you in locating a VPN that meets all of your requirements. You can download any Portable File from here.
McAfee VPN Portable: System Requirements
Here are the general system requirements for McAfee VPN:
- Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions).
- Processor: 1 GHz or higher.
- RAM: 2 GB or higher.
- Hard Disk Space: Approximately 500 MB of free space.
McAfee VPN Portable: Pros and Cons
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this free portable VPN:
| McAfee’s security suite includes it. | There aren’t many smart features. |
| TunnelBear technology beneath. | Does not allow streaming |
| Much less expensive than most. | Discloses IP address |
| The free plan is extremely limited. | |
| Simple to use | |
| Compatibility with desktops and smartphones. |
McAfee VPN Portable: Performance
This free portable VPN offers acceptable performance and speed. While these speeds are not as high as those offered by leading VPN providers, they are suitable for most tasks.
UK Speeds
The Safe Connect demonstrated average speeds of 66-68Mbps when tested on a 75Mbps internet connection in the UK. This indicates that the VPN service had a relatively minor impact on download speeds. Users were able to maintain a reasonably fast internet connection while using the VPN, which is important for tasks like streaming and browsing.
US Speeds
When tested on a faster 600Mbps internet connection in the US, Safe Connect showed slightly faster speeds, ranging from 80-130Mbps. These speeds, while not among the fastest available in the VPN market, are still considered suitable for various online activities, including streaming high-definition content, online gaming, and general web browsing.
Getting started with McAfee VPN Portable
Getting started with McAfee Total Protection involves a series of steps to activate, install, and configure the security suite. Here’s a guide to help you get started with the software in 10 steps:
- Activate your registration code on the McAfee website.
- Choose to install on your current device or send installation links to others.
- Follow the prompts to install the software on your device.
- Consider mobile installations using a QR code.
- Check your protection status in the main window.
- Navigate the main window with various protection panels.
- Explore menu icons on the left side.
- Access My Protection for detailed settings.
- Configure protection features to suit your needs.
- Install McAfee WebAdvisor as a browser extension for added security.
McAfee VPN Portable: Pricing
Here’s the pricing information for McAfee’s Safe Connect VPN:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | First-Year Price |
| Monthly Billing | $8 per month | N/A | N/A |
| Annual Plan | N/A | $2.92 per month (billed annually) | $35 for year one, $48 on renewal |
| Two-Year Plan | N/A | $1.99 per month (billed every two years) | $48 for two years |
It also offers a 7-day free trial, and if you cancel before the trial ends, you won’t be charged. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, applicable only to annual subscriptions. Additionally, there is a free plan with a monthly data transfer limit of 250MB.
McAfee VPN Portable: Privacy and Security
Safe Connect’s website does not provide a detailed privacy policy for the VPN service. This lack of information may be a concern for users who are interested in understanding how their data is handled and protected while using the software.
General McAfee Privacy Policy
Instead of a specific policy for Safe Connect, the general privacy policy of McAfee is referred to. This policy covers data collection across all of McAfee’s services, which can include various cybersecurity and software products. While this general policy may give some insight into VPN’s data handling practices, it doesn’t provide specifics regarding Safe Connect.
TunnelBear’s Privacy Policy
It’s mentioned that Safe Connect utilizes technology from TunnelBear, a well-known VPN provider. TunnelBear has a more detailed and reassuring privacy policy. It is known for its transparency and clarity in explaining how user data is handled and protected. Additionally, TunnelBear conducts annual security and privacy audits, which contributes to its reputation for strong privacy practices.
Privacy Concerns Due to Lack of Features
The review highlights the absence of key features in the Safe Connect, particularly the lack of a kill switch. This omission raises privacy concerns for users. A kill switch is an essential feature in VPNs that ensures that if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, the user’s internet connection is immediately severed to prevent data leakage. Without a kill switch, users may be exposed if the VPN connection fails, potentially compromising their privacy and security.
Streaming And Unblocking
Safe Connect’s performance suggests that it can provide users with decent connection speeds, particularly for everyday online activities. However, its ability to unblock popular streaming services appears to be limited, which may be disappointing to users looking for a VPN to access geo-restricted content.
YouTube Streaming
While the VPN did manage to stream US-only content on YouTube, the text suggests that this is not a significant advantage. This is because most VPN services, including many free options, can typically access YouTube without issues. YouTube has relatively relaxed geo-blocking measures compared to other streaming platforms.
Advertised Capabilities
Safe Connect is marketed as a VPN service that can bypass geo-restrictions, allowing users to access content and apps that might be restricted based on their geographical location. This feature is commonly sought after by users who want to access region-locked streaming content.
Failed Unblocking Attempts
Despite its claims, during tests, the VPN was unable to successfully unblock several streaming platforms. It could not access BBC iPlayer (a UK streaming service), US Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+. This means that users who hoped to use the VPN to access content from these platforms while to bypass regional restrictions were unsuccessful.
Bitdefender Total Security: Alternative to McAfee VPN Portable
If McAfee doesn’t align with your requirements, here we have another worthy portable VPN. Bitdefender Total Security is a powerful security suite that protects a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It includes features like antivirus, firewall, antispam, VPN, ransomware protection, and more.
Bitdefender has a solid reputation in the cybersecurity market, having received favorable remarks from reputable antivirus testing labs. While it is not a separate VPN service like McAfee VPN, Bitdefender’s integrated VPN has essential features such as a Kill Switch and split tunneling, making it a versatile alternative for privacy-conscious users. For those looking for comprehensive security solutions, Bitdefender Total Security’s multi-platform compatibility and vast feature set make it an attractive option to McAfee VPN.
Moreover, you can also opt for NordVPN, ExpressVPN and more.
Should I Use It?
McAfee Portable used to provide limitless licenses for all devices in your home, however, that is no longer the case. You must upgrade to McAfee+ to get limitless licenses. McAfee Total Protection is the starting point for cross-platform McAfee protection now that McAfee AntiVirus Plus is no longer marketed. By promoting the Protection Score system, the corporation has removed less-used functions and now stresses encouraging you to use all of its security measures. Some people will like this user-centric mode. Consider Bitdefender Total Security if you want a mega-suite with even more security built in. It contains security for macOS, iOS, and Android devices, in addition to a slew of extra capabilities for Windows. Norton 360 Deluxe, our top recommendation for cross-platform multi-device suites, also includes an unlimited VPN and an additional 50GB of online storage for making backups.
McAfee VPN Portable: FAQs
It is often known as McAfee Safe Connect, is a virtual private network service. It encrypts your internet connection to help safeguard your online privacy and security.
It provides data encryption, online privacy protection, geo-restricted content access, and private browsing. It also assists in protecting your online activity from any risks.
It has a privacy policy that outlines the type of data it collects. While it may collect some information for service improvement, it generally aims to protect your privacy. Review the privacy policy to understand what data is collected and how it’s used.
Yes, it can help you access geo-restricted content from different countries. By connecting to servers in specific locations, you can access streaming services that may not be available in your region.
It offers various pricing plans. The cost depends on factors such as the subscription duration and the number of devices you want to protect. Check McAfee’s website for the most up-to-date pricing information.
It often provides a free trial period for McAfee Safe Connect, allowing you to test the service before committing to a subscription. The duration of the trial may vary, so check their website for the current terms.
If you encounter any problems or have questions related to the VPN, you can typically contact McAfee’s customer support through their website. They may offer live chat, email support, or phone support for assistance.