To be sure, there are a plethora of products out there promising to protect computer systems and data from hackers, viruses, spyware and a host of other intrusion threats. The following are some of the newest offerings from tech vendors.

o Trend Micro Inc. recently announced "InterScan Web Security Suite 2.5," the newest edition of the company's software that is designed to block spyware and grayware (programs one may not want installed on a system), viruses, phishing attacks (using fraudulent e-mail or Web sites to get you to divulge sensitive financial information) and other malicious software entering corporate networks via the Internet gateway.

Calling its suite of products "a multi-layered integrated security approach," Cupertino, Calif.-based Trend Micro said it "protects corporate networks throughout the lifecycle of an outbreak (of viruses) or malware (malicious software) attack, and provides IT security administrators with enhanced flexibility and granularity in policy management across the enterprise."

"By combining antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-phishing solutions at the Internet gateway, [we are] providing corporations and very large enterprises with a more consolidated and efficient way to deal with a wide range of threats to their organizations," said Max Cheng, executive general manager of Enterprise Products for Trend Micro.

In addition to blocking spyware from entering the network at the gateway, InterScan Web Security Suite can automatically eradicate any existing spyware, the company noted. The product also helps prevent users from responding to phishing attacks.

The company added that an additional module to detect malicious mobile code (in the form of hidden programs on Web pages) "not only protects against unwanted self-installing spyware packages but also protects against 'zero-day' mobile code not yet referenced in the spyware scanners database."

Trend Micro said that for $7.20 per user, the product blocks viruses and spyware from entering a network at a 1,001-user organization. Adding automated spyware removal for the same network would cost $11.87 per user. Volume discounts are available. Further details are available at www.trendmicro.com.

o Computer Associates, based in Islandia, N.Y., markets five "Protection Suites" designed to meet the security, storage and data migration needs of small and midsized businesses.

CA said its Protection Suites incorporate antivirus and anti-spyware technology, automated data backup and restore functions, and advanced system migration technology "that reduces the total cost of ownership of PCs." Prices of the suites range from $325 to $1,099 for a five-user license.

The five suites are:

o CA Desktop Protection Suite (for protection of desktop and laptop computers).

o CA Server Protection Suite (for centrally stored and managed data).

o CA Business Protection Suite (to guard both server- and desktop-resident data).

o CA Business Protection Suite for Microsoft Small Business Server Standard Edition (for those planning to implement the standard edition of Microsoft's Small Business Server).

o CA Business Protection Suite for Microsoft Small Business Server Premium Edition (for businesses planning to implement the premium edition).

Further information is available at http://ca.com/protectionsuites.

o Harris Corp. markets the "STAT Guardian Vulnerability Management Suite," a group of vulnerability assessment and remediation solutions for network security.

According to Melbourne, Fla.-based Harris, all components of the suite are controlled from a single user interface to enable integrated vulnerability assessment, automatic patch management and remediation, and enterprise reporting.

"The result," the company said, is "rapid delivery of actionable information and a shortened time gap between discovery, analysis and resolution of vulnerabilities across the network."

The vulnerability assessment scan engine, STAT Scanner 6.0, is the foundation of the product, enabling users "to accurately find vulnerabilities in multiple computer operating platforms and applications," the company said.

A Patch and Remediation component provides scanning and remediation that allows the user to apply vendors' software patches quickly and easily.

A company representative said pricing for the entire suite in a 250-seat installation would be $9,970. Further details are available at www.harris.com.

o The Titan Corp., based in San Diego, has introduced "ItinerX," a mobile enterprise security system that enables secure storage, transmission and access of information in a mobile environment.

According to Titan, with ItinerX, sensitive information is encrypted and stored on a USB (universal serial bus) memory device and synchronized securely to an enterprise server via a corporate network, as well as the Internet.

Security features include multiple access control, authentication, digital signatures, and virus and spyware scanning, "ensuring a comprehensive approach to data integrity."

"ItinerX protects information in motion from anywhere in the world utilizing a simple USB memory device," said Vic Lindberg, vice president of secure solutions at Titan.

In addition, the product features a built-in backup system that prevents information loss and theft, the company noted. The product offers a Windows interface, requires no formal training, and is applicable to any size organization.

Pricing for a 50-user self-hosted installation begins at $15,000, with the USB memory sticks selling for $199 each, the company noted. Further details are available at www.titan.com.

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It takes more than on-site security forces to prevent cyber-crimes, with a host of vendors offering high-tech solutions.

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Antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-phishing solutions are among the new security offerings available for insurers and agents