Trend Micro — Good Phishing Protection

Trend Micro Full Review

Trend Micro’s malware scanner and real time security are outstanding. There are privacy features available that improve online and offline security.

Trend Micro’s other features aren’t as great as some antiviruses on the market, but it’s still an easy-to-use product. It has core features that work well and plans that will meet most users’ needs.

Trend Security Features

Virus Scanner

Trend’s antimalware scanning tool is excellent at detecting malware.

Trendmicro 3 scan options

• QuickScan is a scanner that finds security vulnerabilities. These areas include your system folders. Background processes. Registry.
• Complete scan: Scans the entire drive (not encrypted or password-protected files).
• Custom scanning:Scans files into folders that you choose.

To test different scan options, I downloaded close to 1000 malware samples

First I ran Trend micro’s quick scan. It took me just 3 minutes. Other antivirus products take 10-30 minutes for quick scans.

I was amazed that my scanner picked out every malicious item in all my critical folders.

It took me just 40 minutes to run the full Trend Micro scan. That’s much faster than McAfee which took nearly an entire hour.

During the scan my computer speed was not affected. I was still capable of streaming HD video.

The scanner also has other helpful options. For instance, you can adjust protection’s level and sensitivity. You can also alter the notification settings. Trend Micro is able to ask you to delete unwanted files or PUPs, or deactivate machine learning.

Trend Micro’s wide range of scan settings is amazing.

Trendmicro’s Malware scanner doesn’t drain the system resources. A variety of settings can be used to customize your antivirus experience.

Protection in Real Time

Trendmicro’s instant protection against malware is simple but effective. This also monitors your hard drive and blocks files from altering your computer.

Trendmicro’s instant protection is available to protect against the following things:

• Malware.
• Possible unwanted programs (PUPS).
• Ransomware.
• Exploits.

To check the protection of my computer’s real-time, I deleted all the remaining files from the antivirus scanner test. Next, I tried to redownload that archive, which contained over 1,000 samples, to check the real time protection.

Trend Micro’s online protection from WICAR’s Web-Based Expits Database was also tested. It was amazing to see that Trend Micro had prevented any exploit attacks before they could reach my browser or my plugins.

Trend Micro was extremely efficient in preventing malicious code from running on the machine.

Phishing / Web Security

Trend Micro Web Protection works in the background. If your site is on the list, Trend Micro will block access.

Trend micro blocked my access with Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. The protection even blocked access to websites that the default protections for web browsers (such as Chrome and Firefox) failed to block.

I love the ease it makes to whitelist secure web sites. Trend Micro displays small dialogue boxes each time it blocks a site. It allows users to choose whether to ignore the dialog and continue to browse the site, as well as to whitelist the website completely.

All in all, I was impressed by Trend micro’s anti-phishing security. It blocked all of the phishing websites I tested.

PC Health Checkup

Trendmicro’s PC-only system optimization tool, PC Health Check Up optimizes your PC for four reasons.

• Repair Security Vulnerabilities.Checks that your OS is current and that the firewall settings are safe.
• Reducing computer startup time.Changes what applications you open when you log in to your computer.
• Disk Space Restored: Clears your recycle bin, deletes duplicates and cleans temporary directories.
• Clean Privacy Data: Removing private data from Windows or messenger apps.

This feature didn’t impress me. Even though the PC Health Checkup took 5 minutes to run a full scan of my computer’s hard drives, it could not save any space. A built-in Windows Disk Cleanup application saved me nearly 300MB when it ran.

The “Reduce Computer Startup Time” option highlights the programs that are able to be manually disabled during startup to increase startup speeds.

Trend Micro’s PC Health Checkup, while not great, is available as a default on Mac and Windows. They perform much better. PC Tune-Up does not offer one benefit. It allows you to access all your optimization functions in one spot. If that’s not possible, you can always use your system’s builtin clean-up tool.

Privacy Scanner

Trendmicro’s Privacy Scanner allows users to adjust the privacy settings on their web browsers. Trend Micro’s popup window will allow them to look for:

• Who may have access to your personal data?
• When your social media account is listed in search engines.
• Who is able to find your email address.
• Contact someone at your number by calling
• Advertisers can display targeted ads based off your activities.

After I installed Trend Micro toolbar Chrome for Chrome, I ran a scan on all of my Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts.

The scanner took only a minute and displayed all privacy issues along with an easy option for adjustment

These features are great in their own right but can also easily be added to web browsers. Trend Micro isn’t required to use them, especially because Internet Explorer has gone away. Microsoft has dedicated its entire effort to the new Chromium-based Edge web browser.

Privacy scanner can help you locate and alter privacy settings in social media accounts.

Trend Micro ID security (mobile only)

Trendmicro ID Security scans every inch the darkweb and immediately alerts it if it detects any personal identifiable data (PII).

• Email addresses.
• Passwords.
• Numbers for credit cards.
• Bank account numbers.
• Passport information.

It’s not as extensive and comprehensive as Norton. However, it employs AI technology. TotalAV only uses Have I Bened Pwned database to scan for email breaches.

Trend Micro’s Data Monitor sends you notifications when there’s any data breach to your email or mobile.

I tested an email security scanner by using an old email address. This email scanner worked well and revealed 20 other sites where the email address had been leaked.

Trend Micro ID Safety only works on Android or iOS. This is a bit weird. Trend Micro’s site provides access to basic email scanners only for Mac and Windows.

Though Trend Micro ID Security is more comprehensive than some of its competitors, it still doesn’t provide as much coverage as Norton’s.

Password Manager

Trend Micro’s password managers protect sensitive information with 256bit AES encryption. Trend Micro’s Premium Package offers unlimited password storage.

Trendmicro’s password administrator includes

• Unlimited password storage (premium version).
• Password generator.
• Automatic form filler.
• Secure note.

The password manager can’t be installed as a desktop software. There are browser extensions and mobile apps for iOS and Android that allow you to manage your passwords.

Trend Micro’s password managers work on a zero knowledge protocol. You will not be able to reset the master password if your master passcode is forgotten. This is great for security. It can be a problem if your master password is lost or forgotten. LastPass, Dashlane and other account recovery services are available for those who have lost their accounts.

Trend micro’s password storage/autofill is not very sophisticated, but it works well. Trendmicro was able identify all of my saved websites while I was testing it.

Trend Micro also offers a password generator. It can generate passwords ranging from 8-20 characters. This feature is extremely useful. It allows you to use both upper-case and lowercase letters as well numbers or symbols. However, Bitwarden doesn’t offer a passphrase generator.

Trendmicro password manager does a decent job, but does not have many additional features such as 2FA, password vault inspection, password sharing or 2FA.

Parental Controls

Trendmicro offers parental controls that can be used for your benefit:

• Block Websites.
• Limit the amount of time you have internet access. You can limit apps or your whole device.
• Block Applications.

After running parental controls for the first-time, a startup wizard guides you through the setup. You can also choose from different age presets if Trend Micro is just setting everything up.

A preteen child aged between 8 and 12 years was created by me. This profile could not access certain applications.

The website filtering was effective. It is capable of blocking 31 different categories including

• Adult websites.
• Communication media sites.
• Websites that were criticized.
• Shopping sites.
• Entertainment websites.

Trendmicro displayed a popup message at the bottom of the screen telling me that a blocked website had been blocked.

The message will ask for your password. You can choose to click either the “Temporarily Allowed” or “Permanently Allowed” links. I know many parents will appreciate the ability to temporarily whitelist specific sites.

Trend Micro’s content filters were inconsistent. They worked only with some categories such as adult websites. However, other websites and videos about arms were still accessible when I tried to filter the content out.

Trend micro’s Image Search filter failed to work. Even though it was turned on, I could still access adult images via Google Images.

My time limitations worked well. I was able to limit time spent on computers and set up time for internet access. You can extend the time your child spends online by entering your password.

In the same way as the previous, if they are completing their hours of computer/device use, a timer shows warning them that they have 5 minutes to go before they can log back in. The 5-minute countdown will also show the password prompt for an additional hour.

Program accessibility controls are also quite efficient.

However, I was disappointed by Trend Micro’s parental controls screening screen. If they are using educational apps ). or playing videogamesspan>

Trend Micro’s parental control products will display all websites visited by your child and every app that they tried.

I found Trend Micro’s parental surveillance to be inconsistent. I found the report screen to be too simple and not customizable with pre-set web filters. Automatic age-based defenses are available.

Trend Micro VPN

Trendmicro’sVPN only works with the premium plan.

The VPN transmits your data through a secure cloud service that employs 256-bit AES encryption. This is the same encryption standard used by many government and banks.

Trendmicro’s VPN cannot give you an ip address, or allow connections to other countries.

It is impossible for you to choose which server you want. Trend Micro will ask your username and digital cert if it attempts to change the server manually. I couldn’t fix it by switching server.

Trendmicro’s VPN offers few customization options.

• ManualVPN Setup: You can manually turn the VPN on or off.
• AutomaticVPN: Connects instantly to unsecured network.
• VP Always on: Connects anytime you turn your device on.
• The VPN is Always On: Your VPN will not turn off unless you activate it manually.

DNS leak protection is not available. Your activity may not be hidden if the VPN connection is lost. Hackers might be capable of intercepting your data.

Short summary: Trendmicro’s VPN may be less effective than some of the best antivirus-bundled VPNs like Norton and McAfee.

Additional Features

Trendmicro also offers some great additional features.

• Uses Chrome Firefox Edge Internet Explorer to open the browser window securely for online banking or shopping (Chrome Firefox Edge Internet Explorer).
• Data Steal Prevention: Stops sensitive information like credit card numbers being sent via the Internet.
• File shield: Adds extra security to select folders to stop ransomware decrypting the files.
• TrendVault:Stores confidential data in a password-protected folder
• Safe Erase: Permanently deletes files that cannot be restored. This feature is only available for customers who have the Premium Security and Maximum Security or Internet Security plans.
• Firefox Enhancer:Enhances Windows’ builtin firewall. Blocks botnets from stealing a PC.

Many of these features are great. Pay Guard opens when you go to a bank site or finance website. This window offers protection against both exploit attacks, pop-ups, and TotalAV, Avira Bullguard, and Bullguard are all secure browsers. Pay Guard offers a single button functionality, but none of these offer the same functionality.

Trend Micro’s safe file vault and delete feature are amazing. Trend Micro’s file vault and erase feature are fantastic, but the firewall booster, folder security, and data loss prevention aren’t as effective as I thought.

Trend Micro Plans Pricing

Trendmicro offers 4 plans. Internet Security is an option that works only on Windows. They can also be used with Androids, iOSs, Chromebooks and Chromebooks.

Trendmicro does not offer any free plans, but it does offer some features free of charge, including House Call, which is an internet security scan. All purchases come with an unconditional 30-day money-back promise.

Trend Micro Easy to Use and Setup

Trend Micro is extremely simple to set-up and use. After the program had started, I was directed into a user interface (UI) that displayed the main features of Trend Micro in 4 easily-readable icons.

All features can be accessed within a few steps. The “Device” option allows you to access security settings like the computer optimizer and the real time scanning options.

The Privacy Scanner, and Social Media Protection buttons can be accessed from the top of the main interface. This button allows you to configure your Payguard settings. Trend Micro’s secure website browser lets you choose which websites you wish to open.

The Data Theft Prevention option can be found under privacy. Trendmicro will protect the data that you provide just like Pay Guard.

The main interface allows you to access Folder Protect and Secure Erase by clicking on the “Data” button.

Next, click on “Family”, and you will be able to access Parental controls. Configuring this took me only a few moments.

Trend’s interface is intuitive and simple to use.

Trend Micro Mobile app

Trend Micro’s mobile Security for Android & iOS is included in the Max Security and Premium Safety Suitepackages. It is also possible to purchase it as a standalone product:

• Malware scanner. Only available for Android
• Website protections.
• VPN.
• Stop SMS Phishing.
• App manager.
• Anti-theft protection.
• Parental control.

My malware scaner worked well during my tests. Trendmicro detected almost all of the viruses I had in my archive.

Trend Micro mobile security products are excellent. I particularly like the smishing blocker and phishing blocking.

Trend micro’s theft protections have been my favorite. You can remotely lock and wipe your data, locate using GPS, or turn the alarm off. Locate device can help you locate your device within 50-100 feet.