• What is a virus?
• other security breaching programs
• How antivirus programs work
• What does AV software protect me from?
• Differences between AV solutions
• What is an online virus scanner?
• Why would I want a personal firewall included?
• Why do I need protection from e-mail?
• Why do I need protection from IM?
• Upgrading your AV software
• System requirements
• Free vs Fee AV
• Questions to ask the retailer
• Technical support

Questions to ask the retailer

The real ongoing cost of the product might be the annual fees paid to keep it current. Make sure you know what you are in for before you buy.

How regularly are updates released?

Responsible vendors release updates constantly in order to counter new virus threats, and offer free tools for cleaning PCs infected with viruses that disable their antivirus products. Check out the information on their Web sites to see when their virus definitions are updated, and what selection of viruses are included. This should provide a general idea of who is on the ball when it comes to protecting against new viruses.

Show me how to use the updater program!

If running the updates isn't easy, it'll never get done. Look for a product that either warns you of new updates when you connect to the Internet or has simple one-click update facilities.

Can it integrate closely with my e-mail program?

Without tight integration between your mail program and the antivirus program your PC is an easy mark for all those nasty worms. Just remember to update the antivirus program before downloading your mail or it won't stand a chance of stopping them all.

Does it protect me from all types of malware? What kind of antispyware does it have?

The latest generation of commercial products should include protection from spyware, backdoors and other types of malware either through inbuilt support or bundled products.