Recommendations for Security Software

I maintain PC's for a small agency in my hometown, there are about 50 computers, all running XP Pro, spread among about 5 offices. All are setup as workgroups and have broadband internet access. Currently all PC's have Symantec Corporate AntiVirus installed. Agency staff are starting to notice increasing spyware/trojan/malware problems. I'm looking for recommendations for security software to meet the following:
Runs in the background with little/no user interaction. They don't want software that constantly notifies them about intrusion attempts, or asks them about allowing something or not allowing something.
Doesn't consume system resoures: Some computers are a few years old. They can't have a resource hog like Norton or McAfee.
Can be purchased via site license (e.g. 10 licenses).
Appreciate any recommendations, or any experience anyone may have.
Thanks.

 

I manage a similiar network but ours has 100+ workstations. First, I would recommend setting up a domain controller and adding all of the workstations. Second, I would recommend a hardware firewall such as a Cisco RV042 or something simliar that has a built in firewall/router. The Symantec Corp. is fine as long as it's the most recent version. Symantec has upgraded their Corporate software to the new Endpoint Protection but I've heard it's a little more of a resource hog so I would keep the Symantec Corp. you have. If you have not already, setup a server to manage the antivirus and it's definitions.

 

Thanks. Is there anyplace you can direct me to where I can find some information regarding setting up a domain controller and setting up a server to manage the antivirus?
I do know that Symantec's Endpoint Protection is definitley a resource hog, so I;m going to stay away from that. I guess my main concern with the Symantec Corporate version that we do have is that, as far as I know it offers no protection against spyware, and I've had some users lately with some spyware problems, so I was thinking that a full security suite (av, spyware, trojan, etc.) would be the way to go.

 

Creating the first Windows Server 2003 Domain Controller in a domain

If setup on a domain it will restrict access so you shouldn't have many malware problems. There will be times where some idiot will manage to get something on there but very rare if setup and configured properly.