Review: Trend Micro Internet Security - It's Not the Best Security Solution

Review: Trend Micro Internet Security - It's Not the Best Security Solution
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Introduction

There are so many things that are necessary in this day and age to protect our computers, ourselves, and our children while living in a virtual world. For example; anti-spam, anti-virus, a firewall, parental controls, and identity theft protection. Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 provides an all-in-one solution to such threats.

Price to Value (3 out of 5)

What’s Hot:

A one year subscription for Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 is $49.95, with savings if you purchase it with a two or three year subscription. This is a middle of the road price when compared to other security suites.

Installation & Setup (4 out of 5)

What’s Hot:

Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 is compatible with Windows XP and Vista. They also support 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista. For more information on compatibility concerns, see the “Performance” section of this review.

What’s Not:

Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 doesn’t support earlier versions of Windows. I don’t think this really qualifies to be in the “not” section of this review. It makes sense for a modern application to support modern versions of Windows. Most people are running at least XP on their computers, but I thought I should point it out, none the less.

User Interface (4 out of 5)

What’s Hot:

Trend Micro Internet Security 2007’s user interface is basic and accommodates the novice. Everything is cut and dry. Finding your way around is not a problem. The main window has six tabs along the left side with the main categories. Once you navigate to one of these areas, everything is simply listed with dropdown menus. There is no clutter for your eyes to contend with.

Product Features (4 out of 5)

What’s Hot:

Trend Micro Internet Security 2207offers numerous features. Here are some highlights of the application broken up into the sections in which they are found:

Virus and Spyware Controls tab:

When you open, save or download files, Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 will continually check for viruses and spyware. There is an Exceptions Lists button which provides you with the option of entering wanted and unwanted programs. You can add trusted programs to the list which will stop Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 from triggering warnings or from showing up in the scan results. The unwanted programs option will automatically remove programs which you’ve added to the unwanted programs list. You also have the option of managing your cookies. You can set Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 to automatically ignore or delete cookies that have been found in the scan. Amongst the list of cookies, some are highlighted in red. These are online profiling cookies and Trend Micro recommends that you always move these to your unwanted cookies list.

You can prevent unauthorized changes made to your computer. There is a list of actions you can customize. In other words, you can decide which modifications you’d like monitored or blocked. The list includes titles from “New Startup Program” to “Layered Service Provider.” You can then decide how closely you’d like Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 to monitor these areas. Your options are Always Block, Always Allow, and Ask When Necessary. If you are unsure of an option, you are given a brief outline of what the title means.

Home Network and Firewall Controls tab:

You can set the firewall to different levels of security to suit your needs. The firewall will filter all information coming and going from your computer. This feature can prevent highjackers from accessing your computer and stealing your personal information.

One feature here which I thought to be rather interesting was the option of checking your wireless network for any unauthorized computers, then enabling you to block or trust selected computers. This option is great, not only as a security feature, but for those with bandwidth limitations.

Internet and Email Controls tab:

You can set the protection levels against web threats. This feature will stop you from opening unsafe websites or websites with a poor reputation. You can edit your list of approved/blocked websites. Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 has a Spam Email Filter option, which, when activated, will remove unwanted and unsolicited emails from your inbox.

The parental control feature will block websites based on how you set it up. You have the option of only allowing access to websites that are on your allow list, or you can set it to allow most websites, blocking only the ones on your blocked list. You have the addition options of selecting certain categories to block, such as Adult, Crime, Instant Messaging, or Photo Searches.

You can protect your personal data, such as your social security number or credit card numbers from being transmitted through the Internet without your permission. You simply need to add the personal information you would like Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 to automatically block. You don’t need to set it up using your whole credit card number either; it can block unwanted transactions even if you only submit half the number.

Other Settings tab:

Under this tab, you are given the usual setup options, such as “Automatic Updates.” You also have the option of password protecting Trend Micro Internet Security 2007, so only people who have the password can make changes to the application (great for the Parental Control featu

Performance (4 out of 5)

What’s Hot:

Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. For mail scans, Internet Security is compatible with the following:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 with SP2.
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007.
  • Mozilla Thunderbird 1.8 or 2.0.
  • Windows Mail (for Vista).
  • Yahoo! Mail.
  • MSN Hotmail.
  • Windows Live Mail.
  • AOL Mail.

For real-time protection against data theft, Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 supports the following Instant Messaging software:

  • AOL Instant Messenger 5.9.
  • ICQ 5.1 or ICQ Lite.
  • MSN Messenger 7.5 (XP only).
  • Windows Live Messenger 8.0.
  • Yahoo! Messenger 8.0.

Help & Support (5 out of 5)

What’s Hot:

Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 has exceptional help and support. Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 has a context sensitive help guide, meaning that anywhere you select the Help button you are automatically guided to the help section pertaining to where you are in the application. Under the main Help and Support tab, there are four categories; Product Information, Product Help, Contact Support for Help, and Virus Information.

Trend Micro’s online support consists of a FAQ section, a Support Web form, Support Chat, and Telephone Support.

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Conclusion

While Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 is a decent enough application, it doesn’t score as highly as some other products in independent testing. If you want absolutely best-of-breed protection for your computer, you’ll need to look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you want something that will provide reasonable protection for a reasonable price that is easy to use, then Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 might be to your liking.

Norton Internet Security, McAfee Internet Security