From June 18, 2018, McAfee no longer allows customers to connect to our websites to make purchases or update billing information, if the computer being used does not support Transport Layer Security (TLS) version 1.2.
If you try to visit certain McAfee webpages with a computer that does not support TLS 1.2, you are redirected to this webpage or you see this message:
Some common questions and answers about this change are shown below:
What can I do to fix this issue?
You must connect to our websites with a computer that supports TLS 1.2. See below for additional information.
What is TLS?
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a technology that allows digital devices to communicate and make transactions securely over the internet. Digital devices include computers, smartphones, and tablets. TLS secures the connection between a website and a computer. It prevents data theft as the data is sent to or from the website. TLS is the replacement for an older technology called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
Why is McAfee making this change?
We made this change to protect the data of our users while they are connected to our websites. The change also keeps McAfee compliant with standards published by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) council.
TLS 1.2 helps to ensure security during online financial transactions and purchases. Because these types of online transactions often include the exchange of sensitive personal data, the PCI council requires that only the most secure and up-to-date versions of TLS be used. To best protect our customers’ information, McAfee has implemented support for TLS 1.2, and no longer allows connections using TLS 1.1 or TLS 1.0, or any version of SSL.
Do all computers support TLS 1.2?
Some older computers and older web browsers do not support TLS 1.2. For example, many versions of Windows XP support only older versions of TLS, or SSL. To conduct certain transactions with McAfee websites, you must use a computer that supports TLS 1.2, or update the software on your older computers.
How do I update my computer?
- On Windows:
- Apply updates (Windows 7 or later) by running Windows update, or visiting this Microsoft Support page.
- If your PC runs Windows XP or Vista, you need to update to a newer version of Windows.
- On Mac:
- Click the Apple menu at the top left, and then click About this Mac.
- Click Software Update, and follow the prompts.
Do I need to update my web browser?
Ensure that you use a ‘modern’ web browser, and that TLS 1.2 is enabled.
NOTE: You might need to check the technical support resources for your browser to confirm compatibility with TLS 1.2.
How do I enable TLS 1.2 in my browser?
If you use a PC, you can ensure that your browser uses TLS 1.2 by changing your PC’s Internet Properties as shown below:
NOTE: You must change your Internet Properties though Internet Explorer, even if you generally use a different browser. The settings that you choose through Internet Explorer also apply for any other browser that you use, such as Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome.
- Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools menu.
- Select Internet Options.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Deselect the following:
- Use SSL 2.0
- Use SSL 3.0
- Use TLS 1.1
- Use TLS 1.0
- Select the following:
- Use TLS 1.2
- Click OK.
- Restart Internet Explorer.
Do I need to update my McAfee software to support this change?
No. Your McAfee software fully supports this change. Because your McAfee software uses your device’s settings for communication back to the McAfee servers, it does not need to be updated specifically for this change. But, it is always good practice to ensure that your security software is fully up to date, and that you have an active subscription in place.