Ahhh, where do I start….As many of you may know I worked for ScanAlert, the Hacker Safe company, now owned by McAfee, for over 4 years. I was in charge of Business Development and created the growth that made Hacker Safe the most recognized trustmark on the Internet. I considered Hacker Safe my baby. I swear I lived and breathed Hacker Safe. Heck, I even drank the Hacker Safe wine (no kidding) that was prominent in our conference booth. Any of you who know me knew how passionate I was about good ole Hacker Safe. So you might think that I was excited about becoming part of a larger company interested in expanding our brand. Well, I think the letter from the former CEO of Hacker Safe says it best…
Personal Recommendation from the CEO of Scan Alert (HACKER SAFE) now McAfee
Cresta was employed by ScanAlert for over 4 years. She started as a member of our sales team, where she was consistently the number-one performer. She was promoted to various other roles, ending her time with us as the Senior Director of Business Development. In that role she was instrumental in developing, closing and executing several key partnerships including VeriSign and Microsoft, as well as developing and managing a successful affiliate marketing program.
Due to her outstanding success in achieving the goals assigned to her she was slated to be promoted to a Vice Present position in 2008. Unfortunately, due to the acquisition of ScanAlert by McAfee her position was made redundant.
During her last two years with ScanAlert Cresta reported directly to me. I always found her to be highly effective and dedicated to achieving excellence in her work. She was instrumental in building the success of ScanAlert, and was always a pleasure to work with. I give her my highest personal recommendation, and would certainly heir her again given the opportunity.
Should you need any further information regarding Cresta’s employment at ScanAlert please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Ken Leonard, CEO
ScanAlert, Inc.
So one day I was hard at work and then…hmmm we don’t need Cresta anymore. Needless to say I was shocked and upset. My life was turned upside down. There were calls with lawyers who wanted to represent me on a contigency basis, there were job offers that flooded in and (most importantly) there were numerous calls from the friends I had made over the years at various companies offering support and compassion (whom I wish to publicly thank now). So after many long discussions with my now current partners I decided to take the high road and start rebuilding.
For those of you who wonder where I have gone, I am now a partner with eCommerce Merchants Trade Association (www.ecommercemerchants.org) as well as the EVP of Business Development. I love what I am doing. Supporting my partners and my merchants so everyone is taken care of to the best of my ability. It is a perfect fit for me. Not to mention their is nothing better than being your own boss.
I really want you all to listen up because my goal is to help merchants improve their ecommerce business not to defame a company. I currently work with over 3000 merchants and even after all that hacker safe personally did to me I was going to partner with them because I felt they had the best product on the market to protect you and increase your conversion and I refuse to compromise when it comes to my customers.
Then I started getting calls from my partners that I had at hacker safe that are now my partners here at eCommerce Merchants letting me know they had yet to be paid, some were owed an upwards of over 15,000 dollars. They also informed me they had their lawyers send letters to McAfee demanding payment to no avail. I also launched an Affiliate Program while at hacker safe that really took off. When I left they turned the switch off and never paid my affiliates another dime…go figure. Then my merchants started calling me saying they were being harassed into doing an annual payment even though by paying monthly McAfee was making more from them. Then they changed their pricing to page views, tell me this…McAfee is a security company, not a marketing company and come on, give me a break how much does it really cost to serve an image off of Akamai???
So I got concerned. Clearly things were changing at McAfee’s Hacker Safe – and NOT for the better. I wanted our eCommerce Merchants to receive the best product and service available, but who should I work with? I knew I needed a security company as well as a seal for our merchants. So I reached out to Control Scan…I was still apprehensive about working with them because I didn’t believe in their web application scan. We had quite a few long discussions and I found out they have a breach protection product to where if you are compromised Control Scan will pay you up to 50,000 to deal with the breach. I know for a fact McAfee doesn’t have it because when I was there merchants were breached and I had to take the calls from my clients that now owe over 100,000 for their onsite audit etc..it was a nightmare. So when I found out the Control Scan offered this it eased much of my concern over working with them. On top of that I was able to negotiate a truly low rate for the service. I don’t think you can get this rate outside of my organization 🙂 so that made me really happy.
But wait, there’s more!
One of my merchants called me yesterday…www.gothamcityonline.com and showed me something that blew me away and is in no way best practices for a merchant. Once you see this I know that you will all agree you cannot continue to use the seal. Anyone who is currently using the McAfee seal on their site is actually paying McAfee to take their traffic and send it to their competitors. What?!! I know but check out this link. http://www.gothamcityonline.com, now click on the McAfee seal https://www.mcafeesecure.com/RatingVerify?ref=www.gothamcityonline.com , once you do this their are two different links that will take you to McAfee’s secure shopping portal which lists your competitors products. one is the “Attention Shoppers” the other is your company name directly under your URL…So tell me this, how is McAfee helping to increase your conversion if you are spending money for good traffic and they are directing it elsewhere? How is that good business practices?
Another thing that was brought to my attention is they are now messing with the integrity of organic search by influencing Yahoo!’s results with their Site Advisor product. This gorrilla marketing tactic has negatively affected two of my partners Endicia being one of them. I personally know them to conduct honest and professional business. Check this link out… http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5ZsJpNIjTEBZSJXNyoA?p=endicia&y=Search&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8
Funny how it isn’t in the sponsored listing though…I mean if protecting consumers was your main focus wouldn’t they have it everywhere? Of course not that would stop the sponsored dollars flowing into Yahoo! right? So much for unbiased reporting!
So in light of the above, I am now officially recommending that any ecommerce merchant interested in protecting their site and displaying a trust badge should use Control Scan. Whew, I said it!
If you’re ready to embrace the new “best-practice” in website security by using Control Scan, I would love to hear your results. Plus, you’re good friend Cresta has arranged for you to the ControlScan with Breach protection for 59.99 a month or w/out breach 49.99 a month. (FYI that is an AMAZING deal!) I would also love to hear from any one using either product and let me know their experiences and I will happily post them. I will be blogging about what I find that can truly help the small to midsize merchants, from best practices to top of the line technology.
I think that is enough for today! I wish everyone a terrific (and safe day, see you back here soon!
For those of you who would like to stay in touch with me my information is below, you can join our mailing list by visiting www.ecmta.org
Cresta Pillsbury
EVP, Business Development
E-Commerce Merchants
http://www.ecommercemerchants.org
P: 415-342-7075
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/3/B71/624
Skype: cresta.pillsbury
Skypein: 415-315-9453
Fax: 509-352-7075
welcome to the blogosphere what a bold way to get out of the gate!
[…] but I thought this was great info, esp since Cresta worked with them when they were hacker safe… What is McAfee thinking????? Crestapillsbury’s Weblog __________________ Liz http://www.classic-charms.com […]
Hey Cresta, thanks for the update.
That’s a very brave and important message you’ve put out there. It’s well written and your examples demonstrate how you really understand this space and have sincere concern for the merchants and past/present partners. Well done!
Well done…love the insights and inspiration..welcome to the blogosphere…please feel free to add an wisdom to my ecommerce/mcommerce bog over at http://www.etaildtail.com
Big hug!!
Way to come out of the gate,Cresta! Congratulations on taking the high road.
I can say first hand that it took Hackersafe FOREVER to pay for their sponsorship of our reality show. We finally managed to get it all, so that’s done.
I’m glad that you not only landed on your feet, but are now prepared to do some of your greatest work ever.
So happy for you!
Joel
Great first post Cresta! Very well written and I am looking forward to more posts in the future.
Cresta,
Thanks for this post. I have added your feed to my reader.
I’m amazed out how the McAfee Seal directs people to this shopping portal: http://secureshopping.mcafee.com/
We will be looking at Control Scan soon with a new venture we are about to launch.
Thanks for all the great stuff you and Brandon are doing with ECTMA and PESA. I’m looking forward to the next event.
Best,
Ty
I was disappointed when McAffee bought Hacker Safe. We never received the first $ we were supposed to from Hacker Safe, so McAffee actions there won’t hurt. The shopping portal is not tolerable, and we are already recommending a switch to all our merchants.
Not to mention that they took a recognized seal and replaced with a mundane one no one has ever seen before. Talk about killing a brand. Cresta, I will switch. You always took care of me before and I see no reason why you won’t now.
I hope the people at MacAfee lose millions because of their stupidity!
Thanks for the info I personally used an online vulnerability scan that real gave a good value for money, and as I understand they really check the application level of the website vulnerability, clear and friendly report with recommendation to close the vulnerability . http://www.gamasec.com
They also have a free trial version that really free no needs of credit card to start the trial.
I recommend the service and the product for company that realy want to receive a vulnerability report that show the real problem on website http://www.gamasec.com can be a good answer to website application vulnerability scan.
Cresta,
What Trust sites/services do you recommend now that hackersafe/scanalert/McAfee is no longer recommended??
Thank you for being so honest with many of the people you worked with back in the day and sold the Hacker Safe service Since you have such a great understanding of the Hacker Safe world and its competitors, most of us will either switch to control scan or simply do away with a security service altogether.
As a Yahoo Store owner, I used the Hacker Safe service as a business expense to gain trust. Did I really need it? Probably not for safety or PCI compliance but rather as a way to get my potential shoppers to “believe” in my company.
As customers become more sophisticated at shopping online, I believe these services become less relevant. Customer feedback and reviews will probably play a bigger part than paid for seals. However, for a few hundred dollars a year services like the BBB, Hacker Safe and Trustee were a “cost of doing business” expense. Those days are over and many of those business will change their business play as Hacker Safe has obviously decided to do with their shopping portal. Keep keeping it real Cresta, it’s about time you started this Blog.
[…] The problems keep popping up, check out former HackerSafe employee Cresta’s blog. Technorati Tags: hacker safe, McAfee, trust […]
Great job, Cresta.
Let’s not forget what I think is the stupidest branding move I’ve seen in a long time (and I was at USWeb when they changed the name to MarchFirst)…and that’s changing the name!
They had one of the most recognizable and relevant brand names in ANY type of business and just BLEW IT!
Good luck on your new adventures!
I have heard from McAfee that they will be removing this shopping link, probably tonight…
-Wayne
Awesome post Cresta. A great way to launch your blogger career. 🙂
Screwing affiliates eh? Nice touch.
[…] HackerSafe employee (pre McAfee)– basically the new HackerSafe badge is a link OFF your site…. What is McAfee thinking????? Crestapillsbury’s Weblog Thought I’d share. __________________ Donna Talarico Solid Cactus – Senior Solutions Advisor […]
Customer service at the new Mcaffee Hacker safe is awful… Non working phone numbers on the site, late reply to emails and 9 digit extension numbers??? Give me a break…
Will definitely be switiching by the end of the month.
Great info Cresta… I didn’t believe it all until I read this and saw the results myself.
Hey Cresta,
Having been on the other side of the fence and seeing your passion for Hacker Safe, I can truly say that I’ve never seen anyone more dedicated to a company than you.
I still can’t believe Hacker Safe let you go. When Andy Jenkins told me, I was in shock.
Anyway, I wish you all the best in your new endeavor. ecommerce merchants is very lucky to have you. 🙂
Regards,
Scott Brandley, CEO
Trust Guard
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
That is interesting. When I started a website, I paid TrustE about $650 to inspect my website and give me their TrustE label. You have to ensure that you have your privacy policy and SSL certificates up to date. Thanks for the article.
They removed the shopping link, but still if you click on THE MERCHANT NAME it links away from the merchant. Un-be-lievable
[…] https://crestapillsbury.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/what-is-mcafee-thinking/ […]
Great advice I was thinking of buying from McAfree but now I see there is a better & cheaper solution out there.
Hacker Safe, Hacker Safe, Hacker Safe,…
Even its McAfee Site Advisor is found to be best working for secure anti free virus , THAT’S REALLY Great nae! Check out its new downloads now and you all will be glad at its working. Thank you. And well done for ecmta.org celebrating its 5 years.
[…] has done something with the HackerSafe logo that I think totally crosses the line. Thanks to Cresta’s Blog post and subsequent Tweet for pointing this out to […]
I just found this blog today but before I guess I had no reason to attempt it.
I was contacted about this product for our website today and told them numerous times I thought there pricing was too high. I finally agreed to have send me an email and I would review it again.
They kept saying 10% conversion increase would be a minimum. Funny though I could never get them to guarantee 10% increase. Then I proceeded to tell them they could not even guarantee me .10% increase and they knew that.
I compared to Control Scan and found out we could do it for 1/2 the cost of McAfee.
I was really impressed with what I had read here and how Cresta had worked for Hacker Safe and she talks about the changes she saw on the inside. This is rare.
I now will look further and dig deeper before I make a final decision on who I will use for this service.
Thank you Cresta.
@all
There are plenty of Open Source tools and OS based service and companies. I think they offer better bang for a buck vs big corporations. Try Powerfuzzer Online (http://www.powerfuzzer.com). It was quoted in PHP security book I am reading as very effective.
Thank you Cresta for this update, I think there are many antivirus products which are cheaper than Macfee
[…] has done something with the HackerSafe logo that I think totally crosses the line. Thanks to Cresta’s Blog post and subsequent Tweet for pointing this out to […]
Thanks for the great post, Cresta. It was definitely a bold move, and I’m glad you took the high road.
I am currently shopping for a security platform for one of my clients’ websites, and found your post, and the following comments very helpful.
Thanks again!
Vi
Thanks Cresta,
Now that hackersafe is no good, who would you suggest using?
Over the past few years there have been a lot of new companies like hackersafe, control scan, trust-guard..
Hi Bank Vibe,
At this point, it looks like Mc Afee has fixed their previous issues and with the latest FTC findings on Control Scan it’s hard to say…Their are many trust seals that is for sure, the
thing you have to do is TEST, TEST, TEST. I know that Trust Guard will find themselves in the same position as Control Scan if they don’t change their seal as well. I am not sure if you are aware of the FTC rulings against Control Scan but the CEO was very forthcoming in her blog that you can get to from their site I believe. I know I’m not really answering your question but it’s a matter of what you are trying to convey to your consumer. buySAFE has a new product (3 in 1 guarantee) that has been showing very promising results, but again TEST, TEST, TEST. You definitely need to have privacy, security, and be able to display Merchant trustworthiness when running an eCommerce Site. I hope this helps.
Warmest Regards,
Cresta
Thanks for the update Cresta! I will have to take a look at buySAFE. I did see that ControlScan got hit with some rulings, but didn’t know if trust-guard would be in the same position.
Great! Looks like there is a better & cheaper solution out there than buying from McAfree. Thanks!
Helpful commentary. Bookmarked your site, so I’ll be back.
Thank you Frederick.
Yes, there is a better option than McAfree, and I believe that its cheaper as well.
Mcafee site seal AKA security badge is a BIG BIG con. MCAFEE invest millions hiring world class sales people to call companies and use there powerful brand to upsell this useless badge that does nothing. A secure SSL is all you need, MCAFEE is a very powerful brand and is exploiting naive companies
You are definitely not alone in your feeling Steve. Please let me know if you need anything.
Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m
thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you
I am always willing to give advice. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message
home a bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog.
An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
With all the bad press rolling around about McAfee – how can they even keep promoting their service….
There is definitely a lot of press on McAfee but let’s remember He hasn’t been with the company in many many years. I hear you on BRAND play though. Thanks for your comment.