Running XP, SP2, IE6.
Have been using SiteAdvisor for about a year with no problems. For about the last 2 weeks, the IE plugin has failed frequently with the message "We're experiencing communications problems right now" as others have reported. The SiteAdvisor icon is grey except that the text McAfee SiteAdvisor and the drop-down arrow are black; and the McAfee symbol is red. Google search results also do not show the SiteAdvisor rankings.
While the term "We're experiencing..." would imply the problem is with McAfee's site (or wherever SiteAdvisor phones home for it's rankings), a reboot will usually restore it's functionality, which means it's a problem local to my computer. However, a reboot has not resolved it this time.
I experienced the same issue last weekend on my girlfriend's computer.
I checked for updates and received "You are running version 2.5.0.6172 of SiteAdvisor's Internet Explorer plug-in. You are already using the latest version available. There is no need to re-install SiteAdvisor".
I have not made any configuration changes nor installed nor uninstalled any software since this problem surfaced.
ISP is the same.
In other words no changes on my end.
All MS and other software patches are current with the exception of IE7 (buggy on friend's computers; so sticking with IE6).
Anti-virus is Symantec Corporate Edition 10.0, daily updates and scans. No threats detected.
Anti-spyware is Spybot Search & Destroy 1.5.1 in advanced mode and fully configured (using it since 2005; consider myself an expert). Check for updates and run scans daily. No threats detected.
So, McAfee, have you any feedback for us on this? Or better yet, a patch?
Thanks,
Pat