My users will upload files and I'll open manually some of the directories . Do I need an antivirus on windows server 2008 ?

Your users will upload files. Some of the uploaded files may be viruses or other malware programs. So, you should use an antivirus on your Windows Server 2008. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

What if I don't access those directories ? Windows server should have some kind of security, like linux does . I don't believe a file will start running by itself , even if I open the directory .

What if I don't access those directories ? As I said viruses and malware programs can be uploaded and infect your Microsoft Windows Server 2008 environment. Even if you don't access those folders, they can infect your environement. So, you should use an antivirus to protect your server. This is what is recommanded by Microsoft. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Can you recommend me a free solution ? Microsoft security essentials doesn't work . Is there an antivirus from Microsoft for Windows server ?

Based on my knowledge, there is no free Microsoft antivirus for windows server 2008. For free ones, I don't think you will find efficient ones but you can search on the Internet to find them. There is no free one that I can recommand it for you. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Hi yes you must need a antivirus. I would recommended worry free 6.0 and you can use sophos. these product are top of the market. thanksNaeem Bhatti MCITP EA, MCITP, MCTS Exchange 2007 MCSE security,MCSE AD, MCSE in Messaging, MCDST SBS2003 and SBS2008 Specialist

Regardless of the function, it is always recommended to install antivirus software on all machines. Microsoft has an antivirus product called ForeFront Client Security (FCS). http://www.microsoft.com/forefront/clientsecurity/en/us/default.aspx Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ http://publications.sivarajan.com/ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

I would definitely recommend Forefront Client Security as it is developed and supported by Microsoft. It isn't free, but it isn't very expensive, http://www.microsoft.com/Forefront/clientsecurity/en/us/pricing-licensing.aspx -- Mike Burr

So I will have to pay only 12 $ per year ?

Yes, it is like that. You will have to pay only 12 $ per year if you want to purchase a Forefront Client Security Agent license. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights.

Please read the licensing page carefully. http://www.microsoft.com/Forefront/clientsecurity/en/us/pricing-licensing.aspx $12.72 US per user or per device, per year – is for FCS client. $2,468 US per server, per year - For FCS server with SQL Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights. http://publications.sivarajan.com/