The trouble with being the go-to person when it comes to tech stuff - whether that's in your home or at your small business - is getting other people to take some responsibility for protecting their gear.

I don't mean carrying it around in a case or not leaving it on the passenger seat of their car. I'm talking cyber security. Boring. But essential. Especially as day after day we hear more and more nightmare tales of people - and businesses - being scammed, hacked or compromised in some way.

Unless software is kept update and all patches are installed in a timely manner, you, your family, or your business may be exposed. It's a risk that can cost you money, not to mention your valuable files and sensitive information,

But what can you do? Other than nag them to take this stuff seriously.

Now Avast offers you overall control. And it's easy too.

Avast Ultimate Business Security takes all the responsibility of keeping your network secure and puts it back on you because, let's face it, who else can be trusted? Am I right?

But unlike other attempts I've made to keep an eye on the PCs and laptops of those close to me, the installation and setting up of this ingenious tool is so simple, it's almost automatic. Once you've signed up and logged into the Avast Business Hub via your web browser, you'll be guided through the initial checks and tweaks to create your new security network.

You can then scan your network for any unmanaged devices and add them to your dashboard by sending the owner a download link, or, assuming you know the user name and password, you can install the necessary software on the target device remotely.

From that point on they'll have access to Avast's Antivirus, Web Control and USB Protection - and if it's a Windows device, Patch Management and VPN as well.

In return, you can set up specific security policies for each device, or assign them to a group. You can choose to have updates installed across your network automatically, or do it manually on a per-device basis - probably more practicable if you're using this tool for your family than if you're trying to keep everyone at your business safe and secure.

And unlike so many other security tools, Avast Ultimate Business Security doesn't seem to mind too much if there's already another security product installed - although you'll get the option to remove that remotely too, if you want.

What surprised me the most is how thoroughly and effectively Avast Ultimate Business Security was able to detect any required patches and updates. Let me be clear; I'm not just talking about updates to the Avast suite of apps you have installed. Your new, Sauron-like, all-seeing eye will pick up any pending OS updates and third-party patches too.

As hard as it may be to believe, you may never have to nag your recalcitrant teenager or long-suffering Domestic Manager to update their computers ever again - because you can now do it for them!

Just a warning; your new powers as Network Overlord are not to be underestimated - or abused. Believe it or not, you can even restart your underlings' devices remotely if that's required after the installation of any updates.

Mwah hah hah hah ha! Is there anything that can stop you now?

Actually, there is. They'll see a little window pop-up to let them know you've activated a restart so they can delay it if they're in the middle of some important work... Or some important gaming.

Both Avast's Firewall and VPN are comprehensive and effective - and yet, I haven't noticed any dramatic slowdowns when they're in effect - although I did have to customise my security policies to get Plex to work. My Plex media server resides on the Windows tablet you see highlighted in some of these pictures but after I first installed Ultimate Business Security, I couldn't seem to stream from other devices around the house. Luckily, it didn't take much prompting for Google Gemini to offer up the solution. Not only was I able to allow Plex full access through my firewall for locally connected devices, I now have it set up so I can stream from that tablet, even when the VPN is activated - which I've never figured out how to do before.

This really is the most watertight security suite I've ever used on my home network. Depending on how you set it up, nothing gets in or out without being scanned and vetted first. Even unrecognised USB devices will be flagged for approval, in case they have something nasty lurking inside - or perhaps even more importantly, to prevent anyone nicking off with your company's valuable IP.

Unsafe and fake sites can be blocked, emails with suspicious attachments intercepted and Ransomware Shield helps you easily protect your most precious files and folders from any outside attacks.

Best of all, it really isn't that expensive. In fact, the more devices you protect, the cheaper it works out. What's more, you can trial Avast Ultimate Business Security on up to 100 devices for 30 days. Give it a crack - I'm pretty sure you'll be impressed with how easy it is to set up and monitor.

In this day and age, maintaining an effective cyber security regime - both at home and at work - is just as important as insuring your business, house and contents. But I can't stress this enough; that security regime is only as strong as its last updated security patch. The bad guys aren't going away and they get more sophisticated all the time, so it's vital to stay up to date on every device you can. Thanks to Ultimate Business Security, Avast really does make it easy.

Click here for more information and pricing on Avast Ultimate Business Security.