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tearose
Former Member
Message 1 of 14

McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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A few days ago, a McAfee screen appeared on my laptop and gave me three options - 'allow', 'block once' and 'block'.  It said it had detected a threat, so I clicked 'block' and found that I could not change my offline status on Skype to online.    I have a laptop with Windows 7. I think this has happened before but it was a long time ago and I had forgotten.  I would like to  unblock what I blocked, and also prevent the screen from reappearing.  I do hope someone can help, because I use Skype a lot.

1 Solution

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tearose
Former Member
Message 11 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Hi there;  I have just been having an online chat with McAfee Technical Support and it turns out that the free McAfee protection that was pre-installed on my laptop has expired.  I was advised to remove the software, which I have just done and, on restarting my PC, I find I can now use Skype again.  Many thanks for all your help; this is a great forum and I am very grateful that you replied so speedily to me query.  I hope that this helps others with the same problem.  Thanks again, Ex_Brit!

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13 Replies
exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 2 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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I moved this provisionally to Personal Firewall as that may be what's causing it.  But what kind of message are you getting when you try?

Open SecurityCenter and then click Web and Email Protection > Firewall > Internet Connections for Programs

(Hint:  That sections takes a while to load.  Click the word Program at the top of that section and they will rearrange alphabetically)

Using the Edit button make sure that Skype has full permission or the recommended "Use Designated Ports" - it varies by software version.  You could also toggle Netguard on or off to see if that makes a difference.

Failing that Technical Support can help you free of charge by phone or online chat and they are linked below.

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tearose
Former Member
Message 3 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Hi there and thanks for your reply.  At the moment I can't even sign in to Skype.  In Windows, 'Security Centre' is now called 'Action Centre'; when I go on to that, I don't get Web and Email Protection > Firewall > Internet Connections for Programs so I can't seem to get any further.

exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 4 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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I meant open McAfee SecurityCenter not Windows one.  When 3rd party security software is installed it takes over from the Windows one and all controls are in the software one.

tearose
Former Member
Message 5 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Thanks. I'm not very computer-literate, I'm afraid!.  I've opened the McAfee Security Centre, then Web and Email Protection, but the Firewall is greyed out; do I need to click 'activate'?

exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 6 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Greyed out?  That's odd.  You need to be logged in as a user with Adminstrative abilities to activate it, but yes it should be activated.  I don't understand why it's greyed out at all.   Technical Support would be of more help with that.

tearose
Former Member
Message 7 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Thanks, Ex_Brit. I'll try technical support. I don't pay for McAfee; it came pre-installed on my laptop, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 8 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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It shouldn't make any difference hopefully.  Good luck 😉

tearose
Former Member
Message 9 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Thank you for taking the time and trouble to answer my query.  I'll report back on here with the results!

exbrit
MVP
MVP
Message 10 of 14

Re: McAfee has blocked my Skype so that I can't change my status on Skype to 'online'

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Yes thank you, please do.  It'll help us to help others.

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