Network Associates VirusScan Professional 6.0

This antivirus package from Network Associates includes on-access and on-demand scanners, as well as email, web and download protection. VirusScan Professional 6.0 can also scan for malicious Java applets and ActiveX controls. It can even protect you from troublesome websites that have been suspiciously configured.

The email scanner in the package will protect both POP3 and MAPI mail clients. POP3 clients need Download Scan to be enabled for email protection to work. We'd suggest that you have this turned on anyway as it checks any files coming in via your web browser for infections, including Trojan Horse programs.

McAfee Instant Updater will download program and virus definition updates from Network Associates. The default configuration is for manual updates only, but requires you to be vigilant. You can configure Instant Updater to check for updates and notify you, or to apply updates automatically.

The software uses a console-type application for configuration, shielding you from complex settings. You can run scans, as well as check for and apply updates. However, if you go into the VShield settings, you can fine-tune the scanner settings. Heuristic virus detection can be enabled individually for file scans, email and download scans.

Hostile Activity Watch Kernel is an Outlook-specific protection system that monitors the number of emails being sent and recipients in order to spot virus-like behaviour. You can set the maximum number of messages to allow in a given time or the number of recipients each message can have. You can also specify the maximum recipients as a percentage of your address book.

The program also includes a real-time backup utility called Safe and Sound. This takes copies of your data files as you change them, with the aim of being able to restore clean copies of any documents that get infected or destroyed by a virus infection.

VirusScan Professional 6.0 is a less intuitive product than Norton AntiVirus 2002, but it's more flexible. Its default settings are less cautious than those of its competitor, but you have more latitude in the level of protection.

If you want fine control over the behaviour of your anti-virus software, then this is the better title.

Contact

Network Associates: 227 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 5PP
Tel 0800 092 7160, Fax 01753 217520
www.mcafee.com

See also:

Norton SystemWorks 2002

An important update for Windows XP users.  24 Apr 2002

Security software head-to-head

Norton Internet Security 2002 & McAfee Internet Security 4 slug it out in the antivirus arena.  30 Jan 2002

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