Trend Micro Antivirus Review

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Highlights

• Features: Protection from malware, ransomware, phishing

• Ease of Use: Quick self-download installation

• Reliability: Rated highly reliable

• Value: Range of subscription options and free trial

• Money-Back Guarantee: 30-day guarantee

Best For

• Individuals

• Families

• Small businesses

Why Choose Trend Micro

Trend Micro has been an industry leader in IT security for over 30 years. With decades of security expertise, Trend Micro innovates server security to keep your computer and data safe. Trend Micro offers advanced breach detection driven by AI and has been recognized with numerous industry awards and prizes.

The antivirus and digital security packages offered by Trend Micro have something for every need and budget, from students to families, gamers to businesses—users can rest assured that their information and tech are safe.

What Trend Micro Offers

• Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

The first tier of Trend Micro’s antivirus software delivers effective threat protection against viruses and against rootkits, ransomware, and other malware—but only for PCs. Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security also includes:

• Anti-spam

• Anti-phishing

• Privacy protection

• Folder Shield blocks access to any files secured in the folder

• Mute Mode for gaming

• Firewall booster

• Fraud Buster rates suspicious email and messages

• Pay Guard for secure online shopping

• Trend Micro Internet Security

The next level of protection offered by Trend Micro includes all of the basic features, but adds a range of more invested capabilities, as well:

• Social media privacy scanner

• Data Theft protection

• Secure Erase file shredder

• PC Health system optimizer

• Smart Schedule Scan

• Parental control

• Trend Micro Maximum Security (5 devices) and Premium Security (10 devices)

The 2 top offerings from Trend Micro are only different in the number of devices they support. Maximum and Premium Security both include the comprehensive features included in lower-level subscription packages, but also add several value-added capabilities:

• Mobile device and Mac premium licenses

• Password Manager

• Vault with remote file lock

Features

• Ransomware

Trend Micro defends against ransomware attacks with a number of handy features, including Folder Shields. This special feature safeguards your files and can sync with cloud-based storage systems such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft. This sync and protect feature fosters peace of mind that your stored files and sensitive data will be protected across all devices and folders. Trend Micro uses cloud-based artificial intelligence to anticipate and identify ransomware and other malware attacks before they can cause harm to your computer and data.

• Phishing

TrendMicro Internet Security contains both antivirus and internet security components—and the latter includes built-in phishing protection. TrendMicro guards against both phishing websites and emails by providing warning in the event that users attempt to navigate to a known phishing URL. TrendMicro is one of the leading cybersecurity companies in combating phishing and the company provides both security awareness training designed to help users identify phishing threats and also develops a leading phishing simulator included in its educational products.

• Other Features

The Pay Guard feature lets you shop securely and transact online through a secure browser with an encrypted data connection. Although this is a great feature, Trend Micro does not offer an on-screen keyboard to prevent keylogging data theft.

Parental Controls, included with Trend Micro Internet Security and Maximum Security, is customizable and filters objectionable material. This feature also lets parents limit and schedule screen time.

With anti-phishing and anti-spam filters, potential threats are neutralized before you have a chance to open or respond. Privacy scanners and data theft protection ensure that personal information is secure.

Although Trend Micro does include a firewall booster, unlike other security-software companies, the platform does not offer a stand-alone, 2-way firewall. In addition, this software does not offer webcam or microphone security, VPN, cloud storage, or file backup. These features are offered by other antivirus providers.

Ease of Use

Installation is not as easy as other security software programs requiring several steps before this is completed—including inputting information. Once installed, Trend Micro will run an initial scan to evaluate the overall health of your computer and identify any immediate threats. Once the scan is complete, you'll be asked for your license key. At this point, you can create your account and register your preferences.

The online interface is clean and easy to understand, with a large ‘scan’ button dominating the page and a status display indicator that turns red under threat. From the dashboard, it is easy to access different functions, view multiple devices, and check on the status of your subscription. Add computers, add new features, and schedule scans seamlessly.

Detection Rates and Reliability

Trend Micro is highly reliable in detecting threats, performing perfectly in AV-Test’s independent lab analysis. Over many bimonthly tests, Trend Micro intercepted 100% of both zero-day and previously seen malware threats. AV-Comparatives also found impressive 100% detection rates of real-world malware.

While this software is impressive and reliable in detecting threats, it does tend to over-sensitivity. In several tests, Trend Micro experienced a high number of false positives, running the risk that the antivirus would potentially delete or quarantine safe—and possibly important—files. While false positives are not unusual, other antivirus offerings have better performance with zero mistaken detections despite perfect malware interception rates.

Pricing

*promotional sales are frequently offered, bringing the price of each package down significantly

Considering the range of features included in each package, Trend Micro offers good value for the cost. In addition, with promotions, you can likely purchase Maximum Security for only a little more than the basic Antivirus+Security package. Trend Micro's performance in blocking malware and detecting phishing scams is commendable, but the frequent false positives and lack of certain premium features offered by other antivirus software providers mean that you may find that another company is a better fit. Nonetheless, this product delivers good overall value.

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Help and Support

Trend Micro offers 24/7 customer support via online chat, emails, social media, and phone. Although service agents are personable and responsive, phone lines are limited to office working hours, on weekdays between 9am to 5pm PT.

The Trend Micro website hosts a comprehensive collection of articles, FAQs, videos, and downloads across a wide range of topics. It is likely that users will find answers to any questions they might have, but if not, customer care representatives are available for anything more involved.

Bottom Line

Trend Micro antivirus is a great all-around software platform with a number of convenient and cost-effective subscription packages. This antivirus includes a collection of enhancements and protections that will ensure your online security needs are met. With AI-driven learning, new threats are quickly identified and eliminated—as demonstrated in independent industry tests. If you are looking for specific features, like a stand-alone firewall, cloud storage, or webcam protection—you’ll need to look at different options.