There are around eight leading AV products on the market just now providing a range of features in addition to basic AV scanning.

However, they are only as useful as their latest update: a virus is a program that has been maliciously created and distributed. AV software works on the basis of detecting such programs therefore the window of opportunity for most virus infections is about 24 - 48 hours: ie the time it takes for the AV developers to get hold of a copy of a virus and create an antidote program for the user to download. Therefore when you choose your AV software, be sure to select a product that with automatically be updated with the latest software patches every time you go online.

PC-cillin 2004 includes spam and spyware protection, wireless device protection, customizable firewall, privacy data protection, parental controls to block unsavory sites, and a year's free tech support through a free number. The software automatically checks for new virus updates every 3 hours.

F-Prot for Windows has an excellent performance on virus detection tests and is easy enough for novice users to navigate but sophisticated enough for the more advanced user. However it should be used in conjunction with a firewall.

Norton Internet Security 2004 offers antivirus protection, a personal firewall, spam filtering, privacy filters, and parental controls to block unwanted websites. Their support site (http://www.symantec.com/index .htm) is also extremely useful in giving information about current viruses, trojans, worms etc, and advice and scripts for fixing any problems you already have.

McAfee VirusScan 2004 gives good virus protection and a streamlined update process. Unfortunately, the frontend is cluttered with advertising and configuration options are extremely limited. Also it should be used in conjunction with a firewall.

Happy hunting.

Learn more about this author, Charlie Beagle.
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