VirusScan Online will continuously scan incoming and outgoing files (silently in the background) for viruses, leaving you to get on with your job without fear.

It intercepts and checks any event that could introduce a virus to your PC, including boot-sector files, file inputs and outputs, internet downloads, program executions and much more.

If a virus is detected, access to the guilty file is prohibited until you instruct VirusScan Online to clean the file and destroy the virus.

Should you require further confirmation that your PC is clean a manual scan can be initiated which simply involves selecting the file(s), folder(s) or drive(s) to be scanned.

Another nice feature is the Rescue Disk facility which is used to create - believe it or not - a rescue disk for tackling boot-sector viruses. This can be created in minutes, and is an essential part of thorough virus protection.

Updates to both the program and the required virus description files are automatic, ensuring that you are constantly in possession of the latest protection. One year's worth of updates is included in the annual subscription cost.

Purchase price: £17.95 (one year subscription)