In this day and age the potential threat to our computer systems from unsolicited Internet and email attacks has reached epic levels. No longer is the only threat the 'traditional' computer virus. Now we have everything from the annoying but harmless SPAM in our mail box, to the far more serious Malware (malicious software) applications that we are unaware run on our computers distributing our personal information to the Internet.

Pioneer take the issue of protecting our clients very seriously. We use two methods.

• Gateway Protection - (at the point where your network meets the internet)
• Client Side Protection - (on your individual workstations and servers)

Unified Threat Management (UTM) is a comprehensive solution that has recently emerged in the network security industry. In simple terms, it is the evolution of the traditional hardware firewall, into an all-inclusive security product, that has the ability to perform multiple security functions in one single appliance. Protection is given in the form of network firewalling, network intrusion prevention and gateway antivirus (AV), gateway anti-spam, VPN, content filtering, load balancing and on-appliance reporting.

Pioneer Computing have a strong relationship with Netpilot Internet Security (formally Equiinet). Netpilot is an all in one UTM product that is very well established in the market place. Netpilot first emerged in the early 2000's. The product is now very mature and in it's 5th generation. Netpilot offers all of the protection required to protect your network from attacks at the first point of entry.

Netpilot also offers a fully functional email server and VPN solution for remote access to you network for your teleworkers.

Find out more about Netpilot at http://www.netpilot.com

Pioneer Computing has developed a strong partnership with AVG Internet Security. AVG's Internet security suite offers comprehensive real-time protection against viruses, spyware, identity theft, poisoned web pages, and all types of malware that can threaten your valuable personal information.

The AVG product range come in at an excellent price point in the market, and unlike most anti virus platforms, run on a very small footprint and hense, does not slow your computer down.

Find out more about AVG at http://www.avg.co.uk