Trend Micro Internet Security

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Trend Micro Internet Security

Trend Micro Internet Security 2008
Developed by Trend Micro
Latest release Internet Security 2008 (V16) September 26, 2007
OS Microsoft Windows
Genre Antivirus
License Proprietary
Website www.trendmicro.com

Trend Micro Internet Security (formerly known as PC-cillin Internet Security and currently known as Virus Buster in Japan) is an antivirus/internet security program developed by Trend Micro. The program safeguards users computers, home networks and small networks.

Contents

[edit] Features

In the latest version, Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 offers the following features:

  • Anti-virus
  • Anti-spyware
  • Email safety scan
  • Protection against rootkits
  • Proactive intrusion blocking
  • Anti-spam
  • Two-way firewall
  • Home network protection
  • Website authentication
  • Parental controls

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro also has these features:

  • Validate wireless hotspots and Wi-Fi networks
  • Prevent keystroke loggers from stealing your data
  • Remotely lock folders and files in case of computer theft
  • Clean up your PC for faster performance
  • Restore Windows after serious damage from malicious attacks

Purchasing a license for Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 also gives any user the right to access TrendSecure, which is an online set of specialized services which help in securing/protecting online transactions made at public places, protecting private files in case of loss of a portable computer and a cell phone Antivirus.

[edit] Effectiveness

In a recent test published by PC World and performed by AV-test.org in April 2007, Trend Micro AntiVirus + AntiSpyware 2007 (the standalone Anti-Malware application) was tested along with several competing Anti-Malware applications by various vendors. Trend Micro scored somewhat poorly in this test, scoring the lowest of all applications tested at 82% detection rate.

AV-comparatives also published a single test report in March 2007 which tested the Internet Security edition. Trend Micro fares somewhat better in this test, reaching an 87% detection rate, while the minimum detection rate to qualify for testing in AV-comparatives is 85%. However, the author of the test notes that Trend Micro was tested later than other products which are normally included in its comparative reports, and says that considering that Trend Micro had about 2 months more time (and hence was updated to a more recent date) than the other tested products, Trend Micro may or may not have reached the minimum certification level at the actual time of testing (i.e. 2 months earlier).

AV-test.org published another test report on May 22, 2007, which tested various other products along with Trend Micro. Trend Micro has a better detection rate in this test, scoring 90.97% overall.

In the Consumer Reports Electronics Buying Guide 2008, they rated it higher than any other security suite that were tested with Trend Micro. The results are based on tests published in Consumer Reports in September 2007.

However, Trend Micro frequently acquires the Virus Bulletin VB100 award, and has also acquired certification from ICSA Labs for Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware detection, as well as Check Mark, which signifies that it is able to provide at least basic protection against in-the wild (i.e. highly spreading dangerous malware with a high infection rate) malware.

Trend Micro's firewall has only undergone limited testing, however, the test reports on Matousec seem to indicate that Trend Micro's firewall has a very good Anti-Leak protection, which means that it will usually not allow any unauthorized application to gain access to the Internet by using certain tricks to fool firewalls.

[edit] History

Previous versions of the program as of October 2007, are:

  • PC-cillin
  • PC-cillin 2000
  • PC-cillin 2002
  • PC-cillin 2003
  • PC-cillin Internet Security v11/2004
  • PC-cillin Internet Security v12/2005
  • PC-cillin Internet Security v14/2006
  • Trend Micro Internet Security v15/2007

Only versions from 2006 onwards are currently still being supported by Trend Micro.

PC-cillin 2000 and earlier versions were purely virus scanners without any additional features. PC-cillin 2002 and 2003 were stand-alone virus scanners which also included a firewall component as a bonus and improved the scanning engine somewhat. The newer PC-cillin Internet Security bundle offers more features such as spyware protection, anti-spam and an integrated firewall along with an even more improved scan engine and better heuristics. After PC-cillin 2003, Trend Micro did not offer a stand-alone antivirus program for the consumer market till 2007, when the company finally released a standalone Anti-Malware product which offers protection from viruses and spyware.

A separate AntiSpyware program is also available from Trend Micro which protects computers from spyware only.

[edit] External links