I keep getting these messages popping up in little boxes in the lower right side of my desktop

[CTyankee]

computer. They say that my McAfee protection as expired and warn me that my pc is vulnerable to attack.

I don't have McAfee that I am aware of. I have Comodo. Should I be worried? Is this a scam? Should I call our computer guy to come in and look at the pc?

[hlthe2b]

1. It may be that McAfee was pre-installed, whether you completed installation & used it or not

and that version is expiring. Is your computer between 1 and 3 years old?

The lower right-hand side on Win 10 is typically where such notices would pop up.

[mr_lebowski]

3. JINX!!! (nt)

[CTyankee]

5. My pc is older but I have had numerous upgrades.

My former computer guy disappeared (I mean that somewhat literally). He left town with no forwarding address and his website no longer exists. My guess is he skipped town to avoid paying his bills. So that's a dead end.

I could start all over with another computer pro. Do you think I should, just to be on the safe side? I fear this situation could greatly upset my husband who has some heart issues and I try to steer clear of anything that would stir him up.

[hlthe2b]

9. See if you can follow the steps of my colleagues downthread. If they can confirm it is pre-installed

expiring version, they can likely talk you through deleting it. It isn't too difficult. If not, you might feel better about doing so (taking it to a new computer guy). I feel pretty certain it is nothing to worry about, but just an annoyance.

[CTyankee]

10. Thank you. I am just hopeless on computer stuff.

I will summon my courage to do this. I am terrified that i will make a mistake and get blamed for it...

[hlthe2b]

11. Very little that you can do is not reversible... Take a deep breath and go for it.

[CTyankee]

12. Thank you for the good thoughts...

[mr_lebowski]

2. McAfee probably came installed on your PC. Check your Installed Programs and anything McAffee ...

just uninstall that shit. The messages will go away.

You know how to get to that list?

[hlthe2b]

4. Hah! You should be worried if we are thinking alike...LOL

[CTyankee]

6. Where do I find Installed Programs?

[CurtEastPoint]

7. Right click the start button and go to APps and Features.

[CTyankee]

8. So I need to shut down completely?

[CurtEastPoint]

13. No.

Do as I said, right click start and look at the menu. Apps and Features is at the top.
Find McAfee, click it and uninstall it.

It may say PROGRAMS and features.

[mr_lebowski]

14. Right click the Start button at lower left ... then click Settings, then Apps

Scroll down the list there until you find McAffee 'stuff'. There'll likely be a handful of entries. Then just uninstall the lot.

They'll probably be a bunch of ZOMG RU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS?!? messages along the way. Tell 'em all to F-off, yes I really mean it, etc.

EDIT CurtEastPoint is referring to same thing as me ...

[CTyankee]

15. Thank you!