Group Dynamics

Antivirus software is the chain-link fence every company needs to repel the Internet's robotic vandals and arsonists. But it's possible to get around even the highest and sturdiest of fences.

Group Dynamics: Antivirus Software

What It Is: Software that detects and eliminates viruses and other self-replicating "malicious" programs, preventing them from damaging or deleting files or spreading to other computers.

Key Players: Computer Associates, F-Secure, Network Associates, Panda Software, Sophos, Sybari, Symantec, Trend Micro

Market Size: $1.8 billion for corporate antivirus software worldwide in 2003 (IDC).

What's Happening: Antivirus software vendors are having to adapt to constantly morphing threats, offering not just fast updates to virus-definition files but also the ability to repel new kinds of attacks.

Expertise Online: www.virusbtn.com Virus Bulletin provides information on viruses, hoaxes and upcoming security conferences.

Viruses are the most-reported security breach, resulting in an average annual financial loss of $200,000 per organization.