McAfee and split tunnelling issue?

VPN
1

New computer with latest version of PIA installed. Running McAfee SecurityCenter v16.0 provided by my ISP. If I turn on split tunnelling to allow my email checker and client through, some random point later I will get a BAD_POOL_CALLER BSOD bugcheck, seems to be tied to the McAfee process MMSSHOST.exe and NETIO.SYS.

I was getting this happening occasionally on the old computer, but it hadn’t happened for a while, so I forgot about it. With the new computer, it is pretty regular at this point.

I have updated all the drivers, but no luck. My ISP tells me I need to contact McAfee, McAfee says I need to contact ISP because I didn’t get through them :roll_eyes:

I need to run split tunnelling because my ISP will lock out my email access if the IP accessing email changes too often, which happens as I often switch regions to see where I get best results. It is a whole thing after that, can take hours at times to get it back up.

Same as this user was experiencing here, but I don’t think qbittorent is related

Anyone experienced this and fixed it or have ideas? I have submitted a ticket to PIA to see if they have anything…

2

McAfee is terrible. I strongly advise you to get rid of it and just use the programs that come with Windows.

3

Get McAfee off your system. You don’t need it, and it’s junk.

4

Haven’t used any kind of antivirus since win7. Even then I just used Microsoft security essentials. I’ll occasionally download Malwarebytes and adwblocker to scan but that’s maybe once every 2 years

5

Although I agree with the other users suggesting you get rid of McAfee, I don’t like posts where everyone sidesteps the root question.

If you really don’t want to uninstall McAfee (you should), there is a thread detailing a similar issue that might help: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/badpoolcaller-mfesapsnsys/c316170a-71c5-4f4d-a360-380e51ab3e18

Here is the relevant section:

The issue you are having with McAfee is most likely that the Driver Verifier has been enabled and it is causing the mcsacore.exe (McAfee process) to crash with the mfesapsn.sys on login.

Disabling the Driver Verifier should stop this McAfee crash on login.

To disable the Driver Verifier do the following (either in Normal Mode or Safe Mode) :

Windows Key + R > type verifier.exe in the “Open” box > OK > Delete existing settings > Finish

Restart the computer.

If you are really determined to keep McAfee, you could try the steps outlined above. I still strongly advise you to uninstall McAfee instead though.

6

I Believe the Last time Mcafee and Norton (seemed) Decent was about 20-30 years ago when there was Basically No Competition Available on the market as such people used it. However Over the years New/Better Antiviruses came out and Mcafee/Norton Never seemed to go anywhere, they are probably among the Worst Options Available these days.

7

McAfee is a virus disguised as an anti virus. Its not even easy to uninstall. If your computer is new, just do a clean wipe install of windows, and do NOT install an anti virus. Windows comes with Windows Defender, and it is all you need.

8

Agree, lose McAfee. If you want a free alternative to Windows Defender you can’t go wrong with Bitdefender / Kaspersky Free. Both extremely light on resources and have additional features that WD doesn’t, included. Also better detection rates than WD. I have Kaspersky and tunneled through PIA

9

uninstall mcafee, its trashy bloatware, just use windows defender or if u want a 3rd party antivirus still use malware bytes it’s lightweight and pretty decent

10

Agreed, came here to say this although I would add it’s also a good idea to use a good browser such as Firefox with the uBlock Origin addon for better overall security/privacy.

11

Thanks u/silmar1l, that is helpful!

I understand that I can uninstall McAfee, and that it isn’t the best, but this is the first real issue I have had with it and I do want an antivirus more effective than Microsoft’s effort, and I need an easily configurable firewall. Plus, I have paid for McAfee through my subscription, so there is principle involved, and i HATE allowing companies getting away with shit like not supporting their software. So my first go to is to try and fix it. Yeah, I am a dinosaur, and I have used and hated ALL the AV software at some point since I started building computers in the early 90s. They ALL suck at some level.

It looks like there may be no support for McAfee, so I think I will look at BitDefender.

Appreciate your reply and addressing the question. :+1:

12

The only other thing I can think to try would be if you can whitelist the PIA app in McAffee.

I haven’t worked on a device with McAffee in a few years, but it looks like this may be an option: https://www.mcafee.com/support/?locale=en-US&articleId=TS100813&page=shell&shell=article-view

13

Thanks - tried that already. I have given up.

I have uninstalled McAfee now and am trying Bitdefender. Pretty sure that will work as the problem seems 100% tied to the McAfee file MMSSHOST.EXE making a bad pool request. Unfortunate that the days of having access to high level tech support are gone.