Virusweep Extra Strength (VS/ES) Ver. 1.0 is a new virus protection offering from Quarterdeck. Its street price is $69.95. VS/ES comes with a 90 day money back guarantee. There is also 90 days of prepaid technical support. There are free monthly virus definitions updates available over the Internet at Quarterdeck's Web site to registered users for one year.

I found the program simple to install and configure. The program offers an easy to use Configuration Wizard that takes the user through a simple step-by-step process. The Configuration Wizard also features the automatic removal of unwanted Internet cache files and cookies to maximize hard drive space and help ensure privacy. It is recommended that after installation the user download the latest definitions from the internet. I was able to do so, even though I had not as yet registered. This update detected 342 new virus families (since March 30, 1998). A family is a group of viruses which can be detected and removed using one basic set of instructions.

VS/ES provides continuous protection against thousands of file, macro and boot sector viruses (over 5,000 viruses and almost 12,000 mutations). Viruses can format your hard drive, modify program files, rename a file illegally , load destructive code into memory, or take control of your operating system. Every time you start your system, VS/ES scans its memory and boot areas to ensure that you do not have boot virus. VS/ES can automatically monitor your system in the background. As a result, VS/ES is able to stop viruses from invading a PC via Internet downloads e-mail, floppies or over a network. Every time you download a file VS/ES silently scans it for a virus. If it finds a virus you are immediately notified.

VS/ES also protects against the escalating new threat of active-code Web site Vandals. Vandals are programs or software components that cause inconvenience, data loss, or damage to your computer. They infiltrate a PC through its web browser.

There is a communication filter which provides a myriad of security options to restrict access to the Internet, as well as exposure to inappropriate subject matter as determined by the user.

With the Firewall Feature, the user can configure the PC to allow or restrict Internet access via htpp, FTP, SMPT and other ports. Users may then designate exceptions by specific URLS or IP addresses. For example, a user may permit all Internet traffic via the http port, but disable the addresses for particular Web sites which may contain mature content.

Using Forbidden Words, a user may also select specific words which may be contained in the URL or content of a Web site, or the name of a newsgroup, thereby restricting access to those area on the Internet.

VS/ES has the user create a Rescue Diskette as part of the installation process. This is a bootable disk that contains many of the programs that you will need to restore your system if it is ever damaged by a virus. Also included are copies of specific information about your computer system. It does not contain the command to activate the CD ROM drive. You would have to add this command yourself.

VS/ES has an extensive online help file. It also comes with an 140 page user manual. I found the virus information list, contained in the toolbox, interesting. Over 5000 viruses were listed and the user could click on one for information on the type of virus and the type of file it infects. For example, clicking on the Stoned virus (which is one I once had) shows that it is a DOS/Master Boot virus and it is common and resident.

VS/ES does not support on demand scan for individual files. The user may select the drives and/or directory(s) to be scanned. My c:directory and all sub-directories, including zip files, were scanned in less than two minutes.

I think (from past experience) that a virus checker is a must for anyone on the Internet, on a network, using e-mail, trading floppies, or using macros. ViruSweep Extra Strength fits the bill with a lot of extras.