Malware

This software fared well enough in our tests, although some peculiarities raised a few warning signals. It installs easily, with separate AV and Exchange components, and an optional management interface. A reboot is required, after which mail scanning was switched off by default and had to be enabled.

Norman delivered quick and efficient performance, with acceptable, but unexceptional, reporting. Installation required Norman Virus Control to be installed first, for the AV engine. No reboot was required and, if anything, a surprising lack of feedback resulted - the software just quietly went to work with the default server configuration.

This test was a surprise, with performance and default settings letting Symantec down, although the presentation couldn't be better.

Computer Associates eTrust Antivirus is part of the eTrust security product family that has build its reputation on usability, detection, disinfection and the quality of support expected of any best-of-breed security solution. It provides its users with regular updates for ongoing protection, offering both virus antidotes and signature files to keep the user one step ahead. If you are looking for an anti-virus solution that protects both the server environment and the workstation, with more than adequate protection for a typical SME and the larger corporation alike, then eTrust Antivirus is well worth consideration. Installation of the eTrust Antivirus solution is flexible, it can either be achieved remotely or by local means, so depending on the size of your enterprise you can determine which offers the best option when you are ready to install it.

For the larger SME that requires server protection which also covers workstations throughout an organization, eTrust AntiVirus can be called upon.

Most vendors deliver a variety of packages for different needs, but F-Secure puts one solution into a host of business models. Whether you are looking for a single user license, SME or enterprise, F-Secure AntiVirus version 5 delivers the whole shooting match.

Not all users want to resort to single user products to protect their SME business systems, and often the corporate editions are just not geared to the smaller business model. But McAfee Active Virus Defense Small Business Edition offers the level of security required for the SME market without compromising on any vital areas of virus protection. It delivers a suite of products that enables the SMEs amongst us to manage, update, and police our systems before any damage is done.

Panda AntiVirus Small Business Edition provides just the right kind of solution for the smaller SME network.

Installation can be for one PC or a network system, take your pick. But when it comes to updating your anti-virus protection RAV Desktop has a neat trick - instead of every machine downloading the same updates it allows one networked computer to act as the update server and collect the new virus definitions. The workstations can then collect them from a set directory. This saves bandwidth, and for the smaller office model that is important. A deployment tool is also available to allow one central installation to be rolled out across your network.

Sophos AntiVirus allows you to either install it on each workstation or deliver it from the server. You can designate a PC as your server, but it will only be able to administer 10 PCs in a workgroup and therefore each time you require multiple installations a new 'server' must be assigned for the new workgroup. This means it is ideal for the smaller business model, but although scaleable may not prove ideal for the larger SME.

Symantec Anti­ Virus Corporate Edition is an enterprise level solution that resides on your network servers and workstations. It provides a centralized management console, which gives the administrator the means to install the anti-virus protection across the network, update virus definitions and simply manage the solution from the Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition server down to the clients.

Vet AntiVirus covers most Windows operating systems so that you can protect this type of environment with relative ease. Making up a reference disk, as Vet calls it, for a boot disk if you are doing a completely new installation is a prerequisite. But the documentation is pretty thorough and walks you through the process with ease. Where you already have a resident anti-virus solution in place this must be disabled prior to starting your Vet AntiVirus installation.