The automatic antivirus protection (of files and mail) provides continuous protection for your computer (provided that you keep it enabled). It continuously scans all the files involved in all the operations carried out on the system as well as files received via e-mail. It is HIGHLY ADVISABLE to have the automatic file and mail protection enabled. If you disable both types of protection or one of them, your computer will not be protected.
Additionally (provided that you have installed and enabled the firewall), you will have another very useful type of automatic protection: that of the firewall. This type of protection acts as a barrier between your computer and the outside. It is an extra type of protection that allows you to safeguard the information sent and received (inbound and outbound) by your computer when it accesses other networks –such as the Internet- or when transferring information (which could be infected by a virus or contain exploits through which other computers or other users could attack your computer).
Additionally, Platinum Internet Security includes the following protections: anti-spyware protection (it protects your computer against software that might compromise your data privacy), anti-dialer protection (it neutralizes programs that make calls to premium rate numbers without your knowledge), anti-spam protection (it protects you again unsolicited e-mail) and Web content filter (it restricts access to inappropriate material on the Internet). In order to achieve an optimum level of protection it is advisable to keep these protections enabled at all times.
For further information, consult the Automatic protection section in this Help.