Update, December 2, 2007: The review below deals with PC-cillin Internet Security 2004. User experience with the *2007* suite indicates serious performance issues resulting from 'PcScnSrv.exe', a component of the 2007 version. For details and a workaround dealing with Trend Micro (PC-cillin) Internet Security 2007, see: PcScnSrv.exe: Performance Problems.
Following is the original review for the *2004* product:
Dare I deliberately pun and state that Trend is setting a new trend in antivirus protection? Having just looked at PC-cillin Internet Security 2004, it is clear that Trend Micro committed fully to creating a product simple enough for the novice yet sophisticated enough for the pro. In fact, there's so much to say about this product that keeping it concise just won't do it justice. However, for those who prefer shorter reviews, a brief bulleted version can be found here.
Installation is fast and straightforward, with minimal dialog and no confusing choices required on the part of the user. But don't think you can't get under the hood and tinker. If customization is what you want, Trend has built-in plenty of options, yet somehow managed to do so while keeping the interface clean and simple.
Features in PC-cillin Internet Security 2004 include:
- Scan all files really does mean scan all files. It's been a disturbing habit among some vendors to use the term "scan all files" when in fact they merely scan all files with a specified extension. If PC-cillin Internet Security is set to scan "All file types", it does so. Further, if the option to scan selected file types is chosen, Trend does not make the distinction based on the name of the extension. Instead, they examine the file header to make the determination. This may seem a subtle difference, but it amounts to a much higher degree of protection.
- Spyware and adware protection is included. Spyware and adware have had significant and growing impact among Internet users. Products such as Spybot S&D and BHODemon do a superb job of cleaning up after the fact. However, PC-cillin Internet Security 2004 tackles the problem upfront by offering realtime protection to prevent these Internet parasites from ever landing on your system.
- AOL, Yahoo, and Hotmail virus protection included to protect against email-borne threats. Users are protected from infected attachments when receiving email via their web-based accounts. (Of course, the standard POP3/SMTP email protection is also provided).
- Robust spam protection is built-in. Spam has become so ubiquitous that many of us find checking our email to be a real chore. PC-cillin Internet Security provides heuristic detection, whitelisting, and blacklisting - offering the home and small business user powerful spam filtering generally offered only to large companies and ISPs. Undesirable email is accurately flagged with the word "Spam" inserted in the subject line, enabling easy disposition (in my case, an automatic delete). The user-configurable whitelist ensures routine correspondents always get through and the Trend-maintained blacklist keeps the most pervasive spammers at bay.
- Firewall rules for wireless connectivity and antivirus protection for PDAs keeps roaming users safe at any distance.
- URL filtering can be specified to allow or disallow specific websites - an excellent tool for parents who wish to control their children's access or for small business owners who wish to manage their employee's Internet use.
- Privacy data protection prevents specified information from ever leaving the system. Simple configuration options allow you to quickly type in sensitive information such as names, credit cards, or login information. Once done, if the PC-cillin Internet Security 2004 firewall detects the specified information in an outgoing packet, it will block it at the source. This not only provides valuable protection against identity theft, but it can help ensure your children never release personally identifying information to strangers via the Internet.
- Customizable firewall rules are pre-configured for common implementations such as direct connections to the Internet, wireless connections, or networked PCs with shared printers. Users can choose from a "slidebar" approach of low, medium, or high security or take a more advanced approach and configure based on protocol, IP address, or port.
