Norton AntiVirus – from the software security firm Symantec – is one of the most popular installed anti-virus programs for small business. It helps you prepare for and guard against a catastrophic data security infringement or loss for your business.

Popular versions for small and mid-sized businesses are: Norton AntiVirus Small Office Pack, Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Norton AntiVirus Enterprise Edition, a bundle that includes the Corporate Edition as well as Symantec Mail Security and Symantec Web Security

Which version you choose will depend on the size of your business, the number of computers you have and other unique needs. Symantec recommends the Enterprise Edition if you manage your own email system; if not, the Corporate Edition. Small Office Pack comes in multiples of five and can be used on up to 20 PCs. If you have only one or two PCs, it's better to go with the individual home edition antivirus software.

Generally, Norton AntiVirus software offers protection for your small business in three primary ways:

1. It automatically detects and removes viruses, Trojan horses and worms while securing your company's data against known and unknown threats. It also aims for fast and reliable backup and recovery in the event of data loss.
2. It protects your company computers and servers against viruses, spyware, spam and hackers with advanced antivirus and firewall security.
3. It offers integrated protection against virus threats and spam at the email server and gateway. This software is automatically updated periodically to guard against new viruses.

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

Tap Symantec for small business computer security support

In addition to the Norton line of anti-virus software, Symantec offers a wide range of computer security solutions and helpful information for small business.

I recommend: Visit the Symantec small business site.

Where to buy

Norton AntiVirus Corporate and Enterprise Editions 10.1 and Small Office Pack are readily available from Symantec.

I recommend: Buy the software online or call the enterprise sales department at Symantec. The company accepts payment by all major credit cards, checks, wire transfers and purchase orders.

System requirements

Basic OS system requirements for your small business are either: Windows 2000 (Professional, Server or Advanced Server), Windows XP Professional, or Windows Server 2003 (Web, Standard, Enterprise or Datacenter).

I recommend: Before getting started, double-check Symantec's Web site to see that your business can sufficiently support the necessary server and system center requirements based on the number of employees you have.

Get a plan

You may need strategic help to formulate a plan to set up an information security system. You don't have to go it alone.

I recommend: You can contact Symantec, the manufacturer, directly for help. They offer consulting services to devise customized security solutions for your small business.

Get the right protection for your business

There are a number of Norton AntiVirus products available for the corporate environment. With information security, it is vital to ensure sure you have all you need.

I recommend: Symantec makes it easy to sift through the numerous product categories on their Web site to assess which items may work best for your business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider adding a backup storage component to your plan. This should be a no-brainer. No antivirus program is perfect and lost data can be a crippling and heartbreaking experience.
• •  Tailor your software package to your individual needs. Do research so that you do not buy more than you need.
• •  Research other antivirus protection software, such as McAfee, which have different pros and cons.
• •  Get personal help from experts if choosing a plan seems overwhelming. Time is money.