14 DAY TRIAL // Part of a lineup with four security solutions (Trend Micro Internet Security, Trend Micro Maximum Security and Trend Micro Premium Security), Antivirus+ 2015 aims to protect your computer from all perils of the Internet, whether we're talking about viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware or adware.
It features a real-time guard against malware, different scan modes, scheduled scans, a web filtering module, spam filtering, network protection, exceptions, social networking protection, and reports, among others. Dedicated to first-time and experienced users alike, the tool is packed in a pleasant and approachable interface.
License type, installation, interface
The trial edition can be tested for 30 days without any restrictions. Once this period expires, you can either uninstall Trend Micro Antivirus+ or purchase the full package for $39.95 / €37.10 (1 year for 1 PC).
After a fast and uncomplicated setup operation, the app gets integrated into the Windows Explorer shell extension for quickly scanning custom files and folders, runs at every Windows startup, and creates an icon in the system tray area that permits you to disable the real-time guard, immediately perform a scan, check for software updates, and open the main console to tinker with the antivirus configuration.
The 2015 edition's GUI has a comfortable look and well-structured layout. It seems that Trend Micro Antivirus+ didn't take cue from its competition when it comes to the flat appearance we usually encounter, which is actually refreshing. Plus, it features some smooth transitions when accessing various menus.
Real-time protection, scan modes, and settings
It's possible to deactivate the real-time guard or to change its settings if you're not satisfied with the default configuration. Based on the parameters you define, the utility may conduct scan operations on its own at a specific time and day of the week (or on every month's first day), either in quick or full mode.
The quick mode looks only in critical areas of the machine where malware is known to hide, the full one takes all local disks into account, while the custom method lets you choose the exact files and folders to scan. The last one is also possible through the Windows Explorer right-click menu.
As far as antivirus settings are concerned, you can enable the real-time scanning of compressed files (including ZIPs), disable the prevention of programs from portable devices that run automatically, deactivate the scanner for suspicious files at PC startup, as well as adjust the protection level to normal or hypersensitive (by default, the tool changes it automatically).
Furthermore, Trend Micro Antivirus+ automatically deletes joker programs and any suspicious files, and shows a warning on the screen on threat detection. These settings can be disabled, though.
Web threats, spam filtering, network protection, and exceptions
The program blocks potentially dangerous websites when you're surfing the Internet, enabling you to adjust the security strength (low, normal or high) and prevent Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome from running malicious scripts on infected websites.
To boost the overall safety level, you can ask it to leave out unsolicited advertisements and other potentially unwanted messages when scanning received email, as well as to check file attachments for any threats.
It strengthens the Windows Firewall with a Firewall Booster in order to detect botnet programs with the potential to remotely hijack your machine, and you can set this module to show a warning when it's connected to possibly unsafe wireless networks or public hotspots.
Any programs, folders, websites or wireless connections you know to be safe can be excluded from Trend Micro's monitor until they are removed from the exceptions list. For example, you can import all URLs from the Favorites folder in Internet Explorer.
Reports, web privacy, and other program settings
The software application compiles reports for all scans, allowing you to study infected or suspicious objects in detail, such as date and time, full path, threat type, and action (e.g, cleaned, removed). These reports can be exported to CSV files or text documents for later inspection.
It also implements a protection module for social networking websites to let you know which shared links lead to safe or risky websites. It supports Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome through a Trend Micro Toolbar extension that can be separately installed.
By default, only some security software drivers of the app get loaded at system startup in balanced protection mode, but you can switch to the extra security level to load all of them, or to extra performance mode to launch all drivers only after Windows boots properly, so that it doesn't slow it down.
It's also possible to apply a proxy configuration for connecting to the Internet, protect the application with a password to prevent other users from making any modifications without your permission, or switch to a different skin for the interface.
Settings can be restored to default.
The Good
Therefore, the tool comes loaded with a speedy and highly effective real-time guard, in addition to different scanning modes, advanced and intuitive scan settings, scheduled tasks, a web filtering module, spam filtering, network protection, exceptions, social networking protection, and reports, among others.
It's wrapped in a clean and attractive interface that lets you quickly figure out its features. Hints are spread across the UI to describe any confusing options.
The Bad
RAM usage is significant even when the tool's in idle state.
