Getting started with Plusnet Protect

Plusnet Protect powered by McAfee is a security program that keeps you, your family and your Windows computers safe from online dangers and threats.

As well as peace of mind, you'll also get:

• anti-virus software – helps stop viruses getting onto your computer, checks there are none already there and removes any it finds
• anti-spyware software – prevents spyware making its way onto your computer and gets rid of any spyware that's already there
• firewall – stops anything nasty from gaining access to your computer and your data
• anti-phishing software – warns against malicious websites, protecting you from identity theft
• parental controls – lets you set filters for certain content, so your children can browse the Internet safely
• My Home Network – shows you all your connected devices so you can find out if someone who shouldn't be is using your Internet connection
• Shredder – allows you to permanently delete files which contain sensitive information
• vulnerability scanner – finds and installs the latest updates for Windows and your other programs
• QuickClean – allows you to remove unnecessary system and browser files, helping to keep your PC running smoothly

Plusnet Protect works with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome on:

• Windows 10
• Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista with SP1

Your computer will need to have at least:

• 2GB RAM
• 500MB of free hard drive space
• 1Ghz processor

At the moment, Plusnet Protect doesn't work with:

• Apple computers, tablets and phones
• Android tablets and phones
• Tablets running non-supported versions of Windows

It depends which broadband package you've got. It's free for Unlimited and Unlimited Fibre Extra customers. And it's £2 a month if you've got Unlimited Fibre.

To check how much it is for older broadband products, like Plusnet Value and Broadband Your Way take a look at our broadband product archive.

Just go to Add-Ons and choose Plusnet Protect from the list. We'll email you when it's ready to download.

Before you install Plusnet Protect, it's a good idea to uninstall any security software you've got already. Running more than one security program on one computer can cause the software to get in a muddle and not work properly. If you can't do that, Plusnet Protect should be able to uninstall the software you've got at the moment, but we can't guarantee it'll work for everyone.

If you don't want to use Plusnet Protect anymore, you can remove it from your account by going to the Add-Ons section of the Member Centre. To remove the software from your computer, you'll need to uninstall it by going to your Control Panel, then Programs and Features.

You can get it back again at any time by going to the Add-Ons section and clicking the Add button next to Plusnet Protect powered by McAfee.

The download and installation usually takes about 30 minutes.

If you've just added Plusnet Protect to your account, we'll email you a download link in a few hours. If you're having trouble installing Plusnet Protect, please get in touch with us.

1. On your computer's task bar (bottom right corner of your screen), right click the Plusnet Protect icon.
2. Choose Scan.
3. Click Full, Quick or Custom.

Or

1. Open Plusnet Protect.
2. Click Virus and Spyware Protection.
3. Click Scan your PC.
4. Click Full, Quick or Custom.

Or

1. Open Plusnet Protect.
2. Click Navigation.
3. Under Features, click Scan your PC.

That means you're not running real-time scanning. To turn it on:

1. open Plusnet Protect
2. click Virus and Spyware Protection
3. click Real-time Scanning
4. click Turn On, then Done.

Your status bar will then turn green and say 'Your Computer is secure'.

It'll try to clean the infected file. If it can't, you'll be given the option to quarantine the file, block access to it, or remove it completely.

When you're connected to the Internet, Plusnet Protect automatically checks for updates. You can also manually check for updates:

1. on your computer's task bar (bottom right corner of your screen), right click the Plusnet Protect icon
2. click Check for updates.

To restore your default settings:

1. open Plusnet Protect
2. click Web and Email Protection
3. click Firewall
4. click Restore Defaults.

To delete files:

1. open Plusnet Protect
2. click Data Protection and Backup
3. click Shredder
4. choose Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet Files or click Let me choose, which lets you choose files individually
5. choose from Quick or Comprehensive – comprehensive shreds are more secure but take longer
6. click Shred.

To run QuickClean:

1. open Plusnet Protect
2. click PC and Home Network Tools
3. click QuickClean
4. click Clean.

You can change what files are included by going to Settings, under the top banner.

You can use the Vulnerability Scanner to check for available updates.

1. Open Plusnet Protect.
2. Click PC and Home Network Tools.
3. Click Vulnerability Scanner.
4. Click Scan.