By Sarah Chen
Published · Updated
Quick Summary
McAfee Identity Protection is available as part of McAfee's Total Protection and McAfee+ security suites, combining identity monitoring with the company's well-known antivirus and VPN products. While not as comprehensive as dedicated identity protection services, McAfee's bundled approach provides basic identity monitoring alongside device security for users who already want antivirus protection. It's a convenient add-on rather than a standalone identity solution.
Score Breakdown
What We Like
- ✓ Bundled with McAfee antivirus and VPN
- ✓ Identity theft insurance included
- ✓ Personal data cleanup tool
- ✓ Well-known brand
- ✓ Multi-device security coverage
What Could Improve
- ✗ Identity features less comprehensive than specialists
- ✗ Requires McAfee subscription
- ✗ Monitoring depth is limited
- ✗ Credit monitoring only on highest tier
Features
McAfee Identity Protection includes SSN monitoring, dark web monitoring, and identity theft insurance. Personal Data Cleanup requests removal of your information from data broker sites. Security Freeze helps lock credit at all three bureaus. The McAfee+ suite adds antivirus, VPN, password manager, and file shredder. Credit monitoring available on Advanced and Ultimate plans.
Pricing
McAfee+ Premium starts at $49.99/year including basic identity monitoring. McAfee+ Advanced at $89.99/year adds credit monitoring and $25K insurance. McAfee+ Ultimate at $199.99/year includes full credit monitoring and $1M insurance. These prices often include first-year discounts. Identity protection is not available as a standalone product.
Usability
McAfee's Protection Center dashboard integrates identity monitoring with device security in one view. Alerts for identity issues appear alongside antivirus and VPN status. The app is well-designed for device security but identity features feel secondary. Setup requires opting in to identity monitoring features separately from device protection.
Key Specifications
| Starting Price | $49.99/yr (bundle) |
| Insurance Coverage | Up to $1M (Ultimate) |
| Credit Monitoring | Advanced/Ultimate plans |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Yes |
| VPN Included | Yes |
| Antivirus Included | Yes |
| Family Plan | Available |
Final Verdict
McAfee Identity Protection is best suited for users who already plan to buy McAfee antivirus and want to add basic identity monitoring at minimal extra cost. As a dedicated identity protection service, it falls short of specialists like Aura or LifeLock. But as a value-add to a security suite you're already buying, it provides useful baseline monitoring.