Regardless of your type of business it is likely necessary for you to use a single computer or a network of computer systems. As a business owner you know the importance of protecting your information, and digital protection means finding the right virus protection software. McAfee total system protection software is one of the leaders in the anti-virus industry. A McAfee security system offers protection for your files, your computer and any networks you may have in your office.

Whether you choose McAfee system protection solutions, McAfee host intrusion prevention or another McAfee virus protection product it can be difficult to understand how to use the software to your advantage. When you are educating yourself on McAfee system protection software, remember to look for resources within McAfee itself along with software training and educational companies. When looking for these sources, keep in mind:

1. Online classes may be the best way to learn the ins and outs of McAfee antivirus software.

2. Videos will walk you through how to use McAfee system protection solutions.

3. McAfee system protection solutions educational materials can be found on the McAfee website.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an online class about McAfee antivirus software

The best way to find a large amount of information in one place is by taking an online based course. Online courses offer a wide variety of educational materials and discussions to help you learn.

I recommend: McAfee University offers courses for every type of McAfee product on the market today. For specific help with McAfee Personal Firewall, check out the class offered by Serebra Learning.

Seek out how-to videos for tips on McAfee total system protection products

Many people are visual learners, and videos are the best way for these people to learn about something new. If you are a visual learner a video offers step by step instructions on how to operate McAfee products.

I recommend: To learn tips for using the McAfee Site Advisor, check out PCMech. Foundstone is the best resource for IT professionals who use McAfee products.

Explore the McAfee website for McAfee anti-spam and antivirus products

The ideal place to find McAfee system protection solutions training tips is the McAfee website. Not only does McAfee offer McAfee University, but it also offers how-to videos and information about upcoming seminars, tradeshows and classes. A seminar is a great way to learn about specific McAfee products and how to get them to meet your business' needs.

I recommend: McAfee offers a wide selection of videos that outline the proper use and applications of its products. For a list of seminars, classes and trade shows check out the "Upcoming Events" page.

McAfee System Protection Solutions provides security software for your business computer network. It's true that most small businesses work within a limited budget and have moderate resources to devote to computer and network security. Unfortunately, in the cyber world there's Spyware, pop ups, viruses and worms that slow down your system. Hackers are another type of threat, who may gain access to privileged information to steal employee and customer identities that could jeopardize your business future.
Products like McAfee Anti-spam and Anti-spyware can secure some parts of your computer systems. However, for full protection a suite of products allows you to focus on running your business without worrying about data security. If you're considering the benefits of McAfee products consider these points:

1. McAfee's security system tests and identifies weak spots.

2. Choose between McAfee Total System Protection products and stand alone McAfee software.

3. Shop around and compare pricing for McAfee system protection software available for businesses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Assess your company's needs for McAfee System Protection Solutions

Before buying McAfee products identify issues that compromise your computer systems. Typical computer network functions that expose client data are running a website, giving employees unrestricted access online and when checking email. If these issues are standard for your company, virus infections, Trojans and spyware are common risks.

I recommend: Get risk assessment and identify vulnerabilities on your network with The Retina Network Security Scanner. See if employee actions could compromise your data using the free tools offered by McAfee's Enterprise Center.

Take a hands off approach by using McAfee Total System Protection

Save valuable time, if your company doesn't employ a full time IT staff person. McAfee Total System Protection functions as an all-in-one suite, seamlessly automating installations and updating. This benefit is even more valuable if your business has employees who work in different locations.

I recommend: View the demo to see McAfee Total System Protection in action. Alternatively the ZDNet slide show review highlights the software's main benefits.

Try McAfee security system for free with a brief trial period

Get a handle of what other products are on the market before buying McAfee. Virus protection and complete system coverage is offered by other leading brands as well. Free trials let you test the product out and find its strengths. Make an informed decision and enjoy the benefits of actually experiencing it on your computer system.

I recommend: McAfee Total System Protection offers a 30 day evaluation period. Download a 14 day free trial of individual McAfee software at Real.com for a shorter trial period.

Review pricing by licensed providers of McAfee system protection software

Find Suppliers of McAfee system protection. Software prices differ by retailer and included features, look around to find better deals before purchasing.

I recommend: Save time by ordering directly from the McAfee Small and Medium Business Store. CDW search tool allows you to locate the best prices on McAfee software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to purchase license for your business equipment when using McAfee security. System coverage for each laptop, desktop and server is included with the software.

McAfee virus protection comes in a number of different packages tailored to meet your business needs. McAfee Total Protection provides desktop and server protection in an integrated package. McAfee AntiSpyware provides McAfee host intrusion prevention designed to prevent unwanted programs from reaching your desktops and laptops. It integrates with McAfee Antivirus, which comes in two flavors: Active VirusScan and Active Virus Defense. The first is meant to protect your desktops and fileservers, and the second is virus protection for all the layers of your network.

Once you have chosen the best McAfee system protection software for your business, all that remains is to get it up and running smoothly so that you are protected. The following tips for McAfee system protection solutions installation and maintenance will help you do just that:

1. Find McAfee system protection solutions online and either purchase hard copies or download them for immediate installation.
2. Learn how to install McAfee system protection software on your desktops and servers.
3. Keep your McAfee security system running smoothly by understanding how it works.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Order a CD or download of your desired McAfee total system protection solution

Your first step is to acquire a copy of the McAfee system protection software of your choice. Older copies can be found relatively cheaply on discount or auction sites such as Overstock.com and eBay. You can always purchase new on the McAfee site.

I recommend: Visit the McAfee Small & Medium Business Store to purchase products and solutions specially tailored to your needs. You can purchase a hard copy or instant Internet download. You can also order boxed hard copies of different versions of McAfee software at Buy.com.

Use online resources to learn how to install your McAfee security system

A popular McAfee system protection solution is McAfee Total Protection 2009. If you're installing on a clean system, you simply run the downloaded install file, or insert the CD into your CD player, and follow the install prompts. Installation is a relatively easy affair, unless your computer is already infected with a virus.

I recommend: TechTarget has a great article showing you what to expect during the installation process. If you're running into install problems because your office PCs are already infected with malware, check out this installation troubleshooting slideshow at PC Magazine.

Learn your McAfee system protection software to maintain the highest level of protection

McAfee system protection software is a powerful defense for your small business. The best way to ensure that you get the most out of this software is to learn how it works.

I recommend: Visit the McAfee Small Business Support portal for access to product documentation, help videos and technical support. At IQVeocity, you can register for a live McAfee User Group Conference to bring yourself or your employees up to speed on the McAfee security software.

McAfee antivirus software has consistently been ranked in the top ten virus protection programs. It's priced comparably to other solutions on the market. Although it's still possible to purchase just an antivirus program, most security software packages come in suites that include features like spam blockers, antispyware and web browsing protection. McAfee is no exception. It's pretty easy to find McAfee system protection solutions tailored to the needs of your small business.

You can find buy everything from McAfee total system protection to standalone McAfee protection for your small business. Cost depends on the number of licenses you decide to purchase. Learn McAfee system protection solutions pricing and costs online:

1. Order the most comprehensive McAfee security system—McAfee Total Protection.
2. Get enterprise-level system protection from spyware with McAfee Anti-Spyware.
3. Decide between the two types of McAfee virus protection—Active VirusScan and Active Virus Defense.
4. Consider adding McAfee Anti-Spam for business owners—the Secure Messaging Service for Small Businesses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what you can expect to pay for each tier of the Total Protection system protection suit

McAfee Total Protection comes in three different versions: Basic, Advanced and Endpoint. Total Protection is total desktop and server protection in an integrated package. Included in the package is anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and basic email virus protection and McAfee anti-spam.

I recommend: Read a review of McAfee Total Protection 2009 at the Tech Herald. If you like what you find, you can order up to 25 licenses of McAfee Total Protection for Endpoint for about $120 per license. Advanced will run you about $50 per license, and Basic is the most cost-effective, at $35 per license.

Discover what it costs to purchase McAfee AntiSpyware system protection

McAfee AntiSpyware is meant to prevent unwanted programs from reaching your business desktops and laptops. It provides on-access scanning and blocking capabilities, and can integrate seamlessly with McAfee AntiVirus.

I recommend: You can order McAfee AntiSpyware for around $20 per license, up to 25 computers. Find out how McAfee's solution stacks up against its competitors at TopTenREVIEWS.

Decide which McAfee virus protection is best for your office

There are two McAfee antivirus solutions geared towards small businesses. The first is Active VirusScan, which is meant to protect desktops and file servers. It features centralized management and updating, with graphical reports. Active Virus Defense is designed to protect all layers of your network, from the Internet gateway to the desktops. You can also purchase VirusScan for Mac.

I recommend: Order any of these virus protection products from the McAfee online small business store. Active VirusScan starts at about $50 per license. The more comprehensive Active Virus Defense starts at about $90 per license. If you want VirusScan for Mac, you'll pay about $35 per license. Read a review of Active Virus Defense at PC Magazine. Active VirusScan is reviewed at PC World.

Check out pricing on the McAfee Anti-Spam Secure Messaging Service for Small Businesses

The Secure Messaging Service for Small Businesses is recommended for companies with less than 250 users. It is the version of McAfee's Anti-Spam software geared towards office networks. It is designed to prevent threats from ever entering you network by operating between your mail server and user inboxes to filter inbound email messages for spam, phishing messages, viruses.

I recommend: You can order this product from McAfee for about $40 per license, up to 25 computers. As recently as 2007, the Secure Messaging Service stopped a major email threat against MinorPlanet Systems, a company serving over 8,000 customers worldwide. Read about accolades this product has received at TechShout.com.