Keep  I.T.  Simple

Leave I.T.  to the Professionals

Anti-Virus

There are a few Anti-Virus packages that you can download for free now, but usually the business version of the software you still have to pay for on an annual basis.

You may find that depending on who you speak to will determine what software package is the best - I beg to differ.

Dont take my word for it though, click to download the latest Passmark® Software comparison chart that includes all of the other competitors you may have heard of (Kaspersky, Norton/Symantec, McAfee, Sophos, Trend, Microsoft) and see why Eset and NOD32 always come out on top. Easier to install, use, and maintain.

Although the installer being conversant with the software is important, and any system setup correctly will usually out-perform a system that is setup badly. This said, I still like to get down to bare facts.

Anti-virus software has 2 very important functions, one is that it checks new files that are being imported into your system, the other is to constantly check files already on your system (this covers any auto-executable files / worms that may self re-generate).

This means you have to constantly have the Anti-Virus running in the background and checking files all of the time. This uses precious processing power and ties up the memory charge, thus slowing down other applications when forcing them to memory swap file to run.

A program called NOD32 by ESET has one of the smallest 'footprints' of any Anti-Virus software currently on the market, and deservedly so won the Best Anti-Virus Software of the year award for 2007. This means it utilises the least amount of memory and resources compared to its rivals, and in my experience you wont even know its there. Fully automatic updates (some systems require constant checking) and has many advanced features for those that want to 'tweak'. It also has a 100% Wild Detection catch rate of viruses since its inception, and NO OTHER AV product can say the same. That in itself it a major selling point if you want to be safe.

Not to delve too deep into IDS - if you use one you probably have a full time IT manager, but if you need help to setup or manage one, or if you want to setup extra measures to keep people out please ask for more details.