There's not been a real headline-grabbing virus story for some time, but don't get complacent - malware authors haven't gone away, or stopped. They've got busier, in fact, creating even worse programs, and employing a host of new tricks in an effort to infect your PC. And that's why it's vital to ensure your PCs are monitored by a regularly updated antivirus tool, and iolo AntiVirus makes an excellent choice.

This program isn't fussy about the system it's running on, for instance, working on everything from Windows 98 to Vista. It consumes little in the way of system resources, too, so shouldn't slow down your system. You can just leave it running, and iolo AntiVirus will monitor your emails and downloads, detecting and blocking potential threats before they have the chance to do any harm.

No real-time system can ever guarantee 100% effectiveness, though, so iolo AntiVirus also provides an on-demand scanner to be used whenever you think it's necessary. This can be configured in a variety of ways, from a speedy "search only in the most likely places" mode to an in-depth, full-system check, but efficient coding means every scan will be completed surprisingly quickly.

The best part is hidden away in the small print of the iolo AntiVirus licence, though. This isn't just for one system - you can install it on up to three PCs with a single serial code. And it's not some limited three month trial version, either. Your copies of iolo AntiVirus will receive updates for a whole twelve months from the date of installation, making this a great way to give you peace of mind and save a significant pile of cash.

iolo System Mechanic 7 takes the features of AntiVirus, and adds a firewall to keep hackers out of your PC. But this isn't just about Internet security. It also includes system maintenance tools to repair problems, reduce crashes and optimise performance. And the Search and Recover tool can undelete files from drives or memory cards, while the bundled DriveScrubber securely wipes confidential information. Best of all, by registering iolo AntiVirus you qualify for a 50% discount on the regular price, and so need pay only around £18. Check your registration email for the coupon code, and order at www.iolo.com.