PC-cillin Internet Security 2005

Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 builds on the already superb foundation of virus, spam, and firewall protection found in their 2004 security suite. Now PC-cillin 2005 also includes spyware removal, anti-phishing controls, Wi-Fi intrusion detection and home network controls. All this, plus free tech support via a toll-free number, and it's priced significantly cheaper than the competition.

This is the same antivirus scanner technology Microsoft selected to protect their 187 million Hotmail customers against the threat of email-borne viruses. Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 goes well beyond the email threat, offering full system coverage to protect against viruses, worms, Trojans and all forms of malicious software (malware) at every point of entry.

Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 includes all the stellar features found in their 2004 suite (read the review), including a personal firewall with selectable profiles that best match your use - and the ability to automatically switch profiles when you change networks. (Screenshot) The firewall fully stealths ports, keeping you virtually invisible on the Internet as well as network controls to stop worms from spreading.

PC-cillin also offers help with patch management, providing an at-a-glance status of any missing security patches that could lead to compromise. The vulnerability assessment window provides one click access to the Windows update site, making it easier than ever to keep your system secure. (Screenshot)

Circulating incessantly in email, phishing scams attempt to entice visitors into relinquishing their sensitive credit card and banking details by masquerading as official correspondence from financial or shopping sites. Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 helps identify these scam email and also prevents data from being sent to known phishing sites.

PC-cillin's enhanced spyware protection combs through the system registry and file system, ferreting out spyware that tries to monitor your Internet use. Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 not only detects already installed spyware, realtime protection prevents new spyware from installing.

Trend's spam filtering uses Bayesian analysis to sort through and identify the seemingly constant onslaught of unwanted email, tagging any it finds objectionable with the word 'SPAM' in the subject line. This allows for easy rule filtering and prevents potentially wanted email from being inadvertently deleted. Their spam feature also includes customizable whitelists and blacklists and the ability to submit improperly tagged email directly to the analysts at Trend Micro.

Worried about unauthorized users on your wireless network? Trend's new Wi-Fi intrusion detection scans and alerts when interlopers are discovered, giving piece of mind whether working at your local hotspot or trying to defend your home wireless network from wardrivers.

Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 even includes home network controls so you can update and manage all your PC-cillin 2005 products from a single console. Automatic updates keep your antivirus and security software always up to date and outbreak notification alerts when new threats are rapidly spreading.

Trend Micro backs PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 with product updates and free technical support (via an equally free toll-free number) for one full year. (Online support is also available via their website).

The robust, well-rounded features found in Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 may not be for everyone. Those who prefer a more ala-carte solution will be delighted to learn that PC-cillin now offers several customizable install options - including the ability to install without the firewall or with realtime protection only. But we recommend a full installation to take complete advantage of all of Trend Micro's best of breed solutions. And for those who fear an Internet Security suite may be difficult to use or manage, we think you'll find PC-cillin's attractive interface particulary easy to navigate and understand.

In a market where many consider antivirus to be a commodity, Trend Micro has managed to separate itself from the pack for two years running. While other vendors play catch up to match the features found in PC-cillin 2004, the PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 raises the bar even higher.