User-friendly all-in-one software helps you stay safe on the Net
Sunday, April 15, 2007
TREND Micro's PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007 is marketed as a one-stop protection for all your Internet needs. It includes antivirus, antispyware, firewall, fraud defence and network monitoring security.
New to PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007 is Trend Micro's web-based TrendSecure, a service that provides additional security for users conducting online activities away from home.
If you have more than one PC in your house, you can install PC-Cillin on up to three different PCs. Interface wise, PC-Cillin does nothing to look different from other security suites. In any case, the interface is easy to use even beginners will have no trouble getting to the individual features such as firewall and email scanning.
Once the program is up and running you will be asked to perform a full scan of your hard drive. PC-Cillin conveniently splits the results of the scan into three main categories: Viruses, Spyware and Microsoft System Vulnerabilities.
The program's antivirus function proves adequate protection from online threats. The antivirus can be set to scan all files on access and even automatically schedules a wide variety of scan types. On a relatively clean system, PC-Cillin was able to scan it in under 10 minutes.
PC-Cillin also performs other tasks like monitoring network traffic, multi-layered scanning of compressed files for viruses and automatic protection of other PCs on your network.
We liked the fact that PC-Cillin not only identifies potential security holes in your system but it even prompts you to update the program by linking you to all the files you need.
This can come in useful if you don't constantly update your system or missed out on one particular update.
Aside from performing scans on inbound and outbound email, PC-Cillin also covers popular Instant Messaging clients such as MSN Messenger.
It also filters spam, though it does this with varying results, as it will occasionally let one or two slip through. You can set three levels of spam detection if you find the current level inadequate. But be warned that a higher level of detection would result in more email messages being flagged as spam.
PC-Cillin's firewall feature certainly shows that it is aimed at mobile users (namely laptop owners).
Users can set up different firewall profiles for different environments like within a home network, office network or public network. For example, if you were to take your laptop out of your protected home network and bring it to a cafe, you can set it to increase the firewall's protection level.
One thing that we found problematic was its Suspicious Software Alarm System it kept popping up every so often. Problems persisted even as our system was installing Microsoft Security Updates.
PC Cillin also comes with features that are available of Trend Micro's online security service, TrendSecure.
Most of these additional features come as online extras that can be downloaded to provide a direct link to Trend Micro's free 24/7 support channel. Some examples include Trend Micro's mobile phone support that protects users against phone-based viruses and SMS spam.
You also have Remote File Lock, which allows you to lockdown your laptop in the event it is stolen.
In addition to all the other features, Trend Micro has provided Transaction Guard, a tool designed to protect users while making online transactions on an unsecured public computer.
It features two forms of protection with one being a spyware monitor, which lets you know whether you are on a secure site.
All in all, PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007 provides a one-stop security package for mobile users.
While it does perform as advertised, the problem lies in the fact that it is a jack-of-all-trades.
Still, it goes without saying that it is an improvement over the previous version.
Its simple-to-use interface and firewall security profile will definitely help keep things easy for security-minded users who aren't familiar with security suites while giving hardcore security experts the advanced security options they need. The Star/Asia News Network
New to PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007 is Trend Micro's web-based TrendSecure, a service that provides additional security for users conducting online activities away from home.
If you have more than one PC in your house, you can install PC-Cillin on up to three different PCs. Interface wise, PC-Cillin does nothing to look different from other security suites. In any case, the interface is easy to use even beginners will have no trouble getting to the individual features such as firewall and email scanning.
Once the program is up and running you will be asked to perform a full scan of your hard drive. PC-Cillin conveniently splits the results of the scan into three main categories: Viruses, Spyware and Microsoft System Vulnerabilities.
The program's antivirus function proves adequate protection from online threats. The antivirus can be set to scan all files on access and even automatically schedules a wide variety of scan types. On a relatively clean system, PC-Cillin was able to scan it in under 10 minutes.
PC-Cillin also performs other tasks like monitoring network traffic, multi-layered scanning of compressed files for viruses and automatic protection of other PCs on your network.
We liked the fact that PC-Cillin not only identifies potential security holes in your system but it even prompts you to update the program by linking you to all the files you need.
This can come in useful if you don't constantly update your system or missed out on one particular update.
Aside from performing scans on inbound and outbound email, PC-Cillin also covers popular Instant Messaging clients such as MSN Messenger.
It also filters spam, though it does this with varying results, as it will occasionally let one or two slip through. You can set three levels of spam detection if you find the current level inadequate. But be warned that a higher level of detection would result in more email messages being flagged as spam.
PC-Cillin's firewall feature certainly shows that it is aimed at mobile users (namely laptop owners).
Users can set up different firewall profiles for different environments like within a home network, office network or public network. For example, if you were to take your laptop out of your protected home network and bring it to a cafe, you can set it to increase the firewall's protection level.
One thing that we found problematic was its Suspicious Software Alarm System it kept popping up every so often. Problems persisted even as our system was installing Microsoft Security Updates.
PC Cillin also comes with features that are available of Trend Micro's online security service, TrendSecure.
Most of these additional features come as online extras that can be downloaded to provide a direct link to Trend Micro's free 24/7 support channel. Some examples include Trend Micro's mobile phone support that protects users against phone-based viruses and SMS spam.
You also have Remote File Lock, which allows you to lockdown your laptop in the event it is stolen.
In addition to all the other features, Trend Micro has provided Transaction Guard, a tool designed to protect users while making online transactions on an unsecured public computer.
It features two forms of protection with one being a spyware monitor, which lets you know whether you are on a secure site.
All in all, PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007 provides a one-stop security package for mobile users.
While it does perform as advertised, the problem lies in the fact that it is a jack-of-all-trades.
Still, it goes without saying that it is an improvement over the previous version.
Its simple-to-use interface and firewall security profile will definitely help keep things easy for security-minded users who aren't familiar with security suites while giving hardcore security experts the advanced security options they need. The Star/Asia News Network
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