By sticking with the same intuitive management console, the latest version of Computer Associates' (CA) antivirus software remains notably easy to use, and has increased its coverage by adding new virus-scanning capabilities for PDAs, plug-ins for a variety of gateways, and protection options for Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes/Domino. You also get remote browser access and the option to designate secondary signature servers, which clients will use if the primary distribution server fails.

Computer Associates (CA) is one of the biggest names in the software industry, even compared to Microsoft. Most of its business is done in the enterprise and corporate field, and this heritage shows in eTrust Antivirus.

One of the original anti-virus programs, Norton AntiVirus is one of the trusted standards. The current version is extremely easy to set up out of the box and, if you are regularly connected to the Internet, it will automatically keep itself up to date.

A new interface and extra web-protection capabilities make AVG our top free antivirus choice

Norton AntiVirus (NAV) remains the world’s most popular anti-virus program -and for good reason. It is the ideal set-and-forget anti-virus protection that is as close to idiot-proof as anyone has yet got. However, it is not the cheapest and some of its competitors, such as PC-cillin now offer more for the money.

Kapersky Antivirus has been around for some time and often pops up on home computers as the uneducated user’s anti-virus software of choice. Unfortunately, it really isn’t as user friendly a program as it should be for novice users.

A modular scanning tool that catches most unwanted software – but not quite all

The unusually named NOD32 is finding favour with a growing number of users despite its Spartan interface, which concentrates more on the nuts and bolts of the job at hand than trying to look good.

Norman Virus Control is a very unobtrusive anti-virus program that sits in your system tray and performs much like Norton AntiVirus from Symantec. It scans all incoming emails, new files, removable media and downloaded files from the internet as a matter of course without any user interaction.

While this Spanish anti-virus program is hardly a household name in Australia at present, it is gaining in popularity through its availability on the internet. Its low cost (around $78) and plentiful features have been a strong selling point for people looking for something a little less expensive than the popular Norton or Trend Micro products.

A winner on the strength of its excellent protection, coming first or equal-first in our malware and firewall test.

Computer Associates is offering a free 12 month subscription of eTrust to all Microsoft users as part of Microsoft’s international PC Protect campaign. The problem is that most home users will find it too difficult to configure.

A simple package whose two detection engines ensure great malware detection, but it fails to inspire in other areas.

A good concept, but the on-demand anti-virus scanner lacks real-time email and IM protection.

With peerless detection capabilities, this well-conceived package towers over its rivals.

With peerless detection capabilities, this well-conceived package is a joy to use.

A little lacking in the feature department, the P4G8X Deluxe is lean in some big areas. Short 800MHz, DDR400 or DDR333 support, its biggest selling points are its BlueMagic PCI slot, inclusion of PC-cillin antivirus software, and ASUS PC Probe for system monitoring.

We review the SSG 5, a UTM security appliance from Juniper Networks.

We knew that Outpost Personal Firewall Pro 2 would improve on its predecessor, but this version is a major upgrade. I'm not just talking about the superb revamped interface, which couples simplicity with power, but a quick look under the pretty skin confirms that this is a serious development.

A fierce protector when it comes to web threats, but merely middling elsewhere