BT has launched PC Security Check, a service for small businesses that remotely tests a customer’s computer in order to provide a status report on its security condition. The system will also recommend improvements, no doubt highlighting some of BT's own products:

A check takes half an hour, and involves a series of tests performed remotely over broadband on the computer and against the customer’s network firewall by a BT technician. The technician tests against a range of potential online threats, including spyware and known vulnerabilities. Because it is done remotely, the customer does not even have to be in front of their computer for the whole time.

At the end of the thirty-minute session, the technician goes through the findings with the customer and sends them an easy-to-understand but comprehensive report that explains in simple terms what is recommended to help improve the security of the tested computers.

PC Security Check is available to any business using broadband, not just BT customers, and costs £50 (excl VAT) for the first PC then £25 (excl VAT) for each PC after that.

For more details go to http://www.btbroadbandoffice.com or call 0845 604 4817.

There are a number of FREE online checkers, although it's difficult to compare without further details. Hopefully BT will eventually offer something similar to ordinary consumers, albeit without the rather hefty price tag.

There’s certainly an argument for the ISP to make such a service free; greater customer security benefits everybody.