Antivirus Software: Which One Should An Agent Choose?

Cathy Glahn, director of technology for the Syracuse, N.Y.-based Independent Insurance Agents of New York, points out that there are more than 400 viruses appearing each month. Many are variations on existing ones. This underscores not only the need for an antivirus system for agents, she says, but also the importance of keeping the program updated and running all the time, even if it slows down the agencys system.

Keith Savino, president of Insure Help and partner with Warwick Resource Group, Warwick, N.Y., points out that some of the most common problems an agent may have with antivirus software come from not having enough protection in place.

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

Another problem the agencies face, he points out, is the issue of updates. Agents rely upon their customer service representatives to perform the scheduled updates. Some CSRs may fail to follow through with the updates because they dont have the time to wait for the download. They may push it off to another time, then forget about it later.

“Education of staff is huge,” Savino says.

Tom Pedder, director of service and technology for All Lines Technology in Greensburg, Pa., a technology consulting firm to independent agents, admits it is difficult to say which antivirus software is best.

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

“To say one is better than the other is hard, like choosing a Ford or Chevy,” observes Pedder. “If an agent goes with quality products, then he is in good shape.”

He notes there are a lot of free antivirus software packages out there, but “Why would someone give it away if it were good?” He says many of these packages are free because they are still in the testing phase and that some of these vendors will not take responsibility for the product if something goes wrong.

One consideration to make in choosing an antivirus program, he explains, is whether the provider has established a support system for the product. Home users may not be as concerned about having that support. But it is not the same for a business, which needs help immediately when there is a problem. Being able to get that help 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 worthwhile investment, he contends.

“None of the antivirus products are foolproof, but going to a consultant can provide the agents with the tools and experience they lack,” says Pedder. “A hammer does not build a house; it is the person who is swinging the hammer.”

Mark E. Ruquet is an assistant editor for NUs Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Edition, March 31, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved. Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.