Antivirus Software: What To Choose? Recently,an attack from a computer virus reduced the Internet to a crawl.Reportedly, there were no major losses but some inconveniences. Forexample, some bank customers could not access their accounts fromATM machines.

The attack hit Microsoft SQL servers, exploiting a vulnerabilitythe software manufacturer had already prepared a defense patch for.The patch was available to all users, but not installed in time bythe affected users.

Those affected had the information technology people in place tomake repairs, get the patch in place, and eventually get things upand running again.

The lesson here for independent agents is that because theirsystems are exposed to so much Internet traffic, it is essential tomake certain the agency has good, up-to-date antivirus software fortheir operation.

Probably the two biggest questions for an agent are what tochoose and how often to update the antivirus software ofchoice.

Agents say they make their choices on someones recommendation.That someone could be the agency management provider or someonethey rely upon for technology assistance, whether it is aconsultant or friend.

The two most popular antivirus software producers are Cupertino,Calif.-based Symantec, best known for its Norton antivirus system,and McAfee, part of Network Associates Technology Inc., based inSanta Clara, Calif.

One important factor in choosing antivirus software is thesoftwares compatibility with the agency management system.

A user of Applieds management system, Melissa McCage, commerciallines manager for the firm of Dulaney, Johnston, a subsidiary ofinsurance broker Hilb, Rogal, and Hamilton Co., based in Richmond,Va., says her firm uses the Norton system on the advice ofUniversity Park, Ill.-based Applied. Norton has been a part of thefirms technology system for three years now, she said, and it hasdone all that her firm ever expected of it.

If there is a complaint about the system, it is that it ismemory intensive, she noted. In order to run it along with theApplied system, Ms. McCage explained, the agency “made somealterations to make it run as quick as it can run,” based on thetechnical advice of Applied.

Ed Higgins, principal of the Thousand Island Agency in Clayton,N.Y., uses Ebix agency management system. His Norton antivirussoftware had conflicts with the Atlanta, Ga.-based companys systemand he switched to McAfee.

Mr. Higgins, who is also the chairman of the Agents Council forTechnology, said finding an antivirus software package that issuitable with the agency management system is an agencys biggestchallenge.

“Its like a car. I dont know how the engine works, but I want tomake sure the car will drive,” he observed. He added that to havethe antivirus software is essential because “getting a virus canruin your day.”

Cathy Glahn, director of technology for the Syracuse, N.Y.-basedIndependent Insurance Agents of New York, points out that there aremore than 400 viruses appearing each month. Many are variations onexisting ones. This underscores not only the need for an antivirussystem for agents, she said, but also the importance of keeping theprogram updated and running all the time, even if it does slow downthe agencys system.

Keith Savino, president of Insure Help and partner with WarwickResouce Group based in Warwick, N.Y., points out that some of themost common problems an agent may have with antivirus software comefrom not having enough protection in place.

Mr. Savino, who is also a lecturer on technology issues for theGlenmont, N.Y.-based Professional Insurance Agents of New York,said some agencies with their own servers fail to put in adequatefirewalls or filtering protection to defend against an attack.

Another problem agencies face, he pointed out, is the issue ofupdates. Agents rely upon their customer service representatives toperform the scheduled updates. Some CSRs may fail to follow throughwith the updates because they dont have the time to wait for thedownload. They may push it off to another time, then forget aboutit later.

“Education of staff is huge,” Mr. Savino said. “Ignorance is thebarrier we have to overcome.”

Tom Pedder, director of service and technology for All LinesTechnology in Greensburg, Pa., a technology consulting firm toindependent agents, admits that it is difficult to say whichantivirus software is best.

His firm supports both McAfee and Norton, but the latter is hispreference because of its “full feature management solutions” andtracking of viral activity on a network.

“To say one is better than the other is hard, like choosing aFord or Chevy,” observed Mr. Pedder. “If an agent goes with qualityproducts, then he is in good shape.”

He noted that there are a lot of free antivirus softwarepackages out there, but “Why would someone give it away if it weregood?” He added that many of these packages are free because theyare still in the testing phase, and that some of these vendors willnot take responsibility for the product if something goeswrong.

One consideration to make in choosing an antivirus program, heexplained, is whether the provider has established a support systemfor the product. Home users may not be as concerned about havingthat support. But it is not the same for a business, which needshelp immediately when there is a problem. Being able to get thathelp is usually a sign of “a good quality product.”

Because of the damage a virus can do to an agencys data system,the $25-to-$50 per computer installation charge is a worthwhileinvestment, he asserted.

“None of the antivirus products are foolproof, but going to aconsultant can provide the agents with the tools and experiencethey lack,” said Mr. Pedder. “A hammer does not build a house, itis the person who is swinging the hammer.”

Reproduced from National Underwriter Edition, March 10, 2003.Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serialpublication. All rights reserved. Copyright in this article as anindependent work may be held by the author.