Abstract: A system, a method for providing virus protection, and a computer program stored on a storage medium in a communication system including at least a first network coupled to a destination to which transmissions of data packets are made from the first network to the destination is described. A virus protection system includes a gateway, coupled between the first network and the destination, which includes a firewall which receives data packets and a virus scanning engine, coupled to the firewall, which receives the data packets after reception by the firewall, tests the data packets, passes any data packets, which are tested by the virus scanning engine to not contain a virus to the destination and discards any data packets which are tested by the virus scanning engine to contain a virus.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, a method for providing virus protection, and a computer program stored on a storage medium in a communication system (10) including at least a first network (11) coupled to a destination (18) to which transmissions of data packets are made from the first network to the destination. A virus protection system in accordance with the invention includes a gateway (12), coupled between the first network and the destination, which includes a firewall (14) which receives data packets and a virus scanning engine (22), coupled to the firewall, which receives the data packets after reception by the firewall, tests the data packets, passes any data packets, which are tested by the virus scanning engine to not contain a virus to the destination and discards any data packets which are tested by the virus scanning engine to contain a virus.