Keeping yourself safe from online threats can be an expensive business, particularly if you’ve a network to protect. But there is a new alternative. Russian security company Agnitum has just launched Outpost Security Suite Free, which they claim is they claim is the first fully functional free version of an Internet security suite for Windows users.

Based around Outpost Security Suite Pro 7, the package includes an antivirus engine, with real-time monitoring of incoming email attachments and the files you access, as well as on-demand scanning.

A smart firewall protects you from incoming hacker attacks, while also monitoring any of your programs that try to go online, and raising an alert for any traffic that looks suspect.

You also get a spam filter, which integrates with Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, and The Bat!.

And behaviour monitoring means Outpost Security Suite Free can detect processes that are trying to install drivers, access the network at a low level, or engage in other malware-like activities.

Of course Agnitum would like you to upgrade to the Pro version, and so there are a few catches. The program is only free for  non-commercial use, for instance; you only get one antivirus update a day; there’s minimal web browsing protection, very few configuration options, and some new Pro features, like file and folder password protection, are missing entirely.

Still, the cut-down nature of the program does mean it’s very easy to operate. So if you’re looking for basic PC protection that you can install and master in something under half an hour, then Outpost Security Suite Free could be a very good choice.