McAfee will discontinue the LiveSafe product that was being offered through employers (such as Intel) as a no-cost employee benefit. This means that Intel employees and Intel retirees will no longer have access to this free subscription.
For IRO members who currently hold a free McAfee LiveSafe subscription, that license will expire on March 31, 2026. McAfee is preparing an announcement for current license holders, which is expected to be released later this month.
Any future discounts for McAfee products will be offered to IRO members through Intel’s Retiree Discounts portal — Beneplace. They are currently offering an unlimited license for 65% off the $140 price – Only $49 (not free, but pretty good price.) You can access Beneplace for Intel retirees at https://auth.savings.beneplace.com/intelretirees/sign-in
Current users who need support, contact McAfee:
- McAfee Home Use Program Inquiries: homeuse@mcafee.com
- McAfee Technical and Product Support (chat and phone information available
depending on the country): www.mcafee.com/support
Antivirus alternatives – some ideas from the IRO website support team
If you want something free or are open to other free or paid antivirus software, a quick scan of CNET, PC Magazine, ZDNet reviews yields a number of suggestions for antivirus software going into 2026. A summary of them from Google’s AI suggests:
- Best Free Option: Microsoft Defender offers robust built-in protection; Bitdefender Free is also a top contender.
- Best Overall: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is recognized for its powerful scanning, low system impact, and excellent protection against ransomware.
- Best for Features: Norton 360 with LifeLock offers comprehensive protection including a, VPN, password manager, and identity theft protection.
- Best for Beginners: Total AV is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface and solid malware detection.