Customer Reviews

PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 (Old Version)

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(38)

 

 

I will preface this review by saying that I purchased the 2004 edition just 3 days before the 2005 edition was released, but Trend did me right and gave me a free upgrade. That's a plus right out of the starting gate.

I originally switched to Trend from Norton after having slowdowns and resource shortages. Norton is very large and very slow, but by and large it worked for me. I was hesitant to make the switch, but I decided to do it anyway and see how Trend's product works. I have not been disappointed. First off, the memory footprint for this package is about half that of Norton when everything is turned on. For me, that's important - Norton takes up huge amounts of memory and slows the system down, where Trend takes up less room and seems to be a lot faster at execution time.

Trend has always had a very fast and very effective antivirus. This latest version is no exception. However, where this package seems to shine most brightly in the antivirus arena is in the timeliness of pattern file updates. Less than a week after the release of a particular email virus, Trend caught it arriving in my inbox and terminated it before it could do anything. To have a pattern for a brand new virus and already be able to handle it is a very, very good thing.

The firewall itself is quite effective and it seems to do its job very efficiently. Where it tends to bother people is in the fact that it is a very quiet firewall and it does not notify for every little thing like Norton or ZoneLabs do. This may or may not agree with you, but for me I'm content that it's working in the background and isn't bothering me with every little thing that happens.

The spyware detection feature seems to have come of age, and even after running SpyBot S&D and Ad-Aware, it still found spyware on my system. It did a good job cleaning up and it did everything very fast and efficiently.

There are a couple of things I cannot test, as I am on dialup. There are new network protection features that allow remote security administration for systems on the network running Trend's suite, and there is also a neat feature that loooks for intruders on wireless networks. Considering that cybersquatting on wireless networks is very common, this is an important feature that should be in all security suites. If you are running a wireless network, this feature will be invaluable.

Trend includes a parental control feature in its suite, and it works in a fashion similar to Norton's and ZoneLab's equivalents. You pick your categories to block, and you're done. However, there is a flaw in their implementation - the blocking only seems to work with MS Internet Explorer. So, if you use Mozilla/FireFox or Opera, you're out of luck if you want to use the URL blocking.

There is also an antispam feature, but it is not going to prevent spam from arriving in your inbox. Rather, it simply flags questionable messages as spam in the subject at delivery. This can help with sorting and disposal, but it will not keep it from being delivered. In my opinion, spam should never reach the email client if you have an antispam solution in place, so I regard this particular feature as ineffective. I suppose it is better than nothing, though, and many users will find it helpful - I don't. I didn't like Norton's, either, which works the same way.

One interesting feature that Trend sports is "Outbreak Notification" which is used to alert users when a new, high-risk threat is circulating. Users will get a notification when a new high-profile virus is spreading, and that can be helpful if you're relying on manual updates.

Trend Micro has put together a winner in their 2005 edition of their PC-Cillin Internet Security suite. It does not lack any major features, and the majority of the things they have included are very good and very effective. There are a few soft spots, but these are not critical to system security, and overall Trend is quickly catching up to the "big boys." If you want a fast, small-footprint security solution that competes very competently with the likes of Norton, ZoneLabs and McAfee, Trend is an excellent contender.

Here was my review from 11-2-04:
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After using the 2005 30-day demo posted on the Trend Micro site, I'm a believer and I am ordering this great product.

I am a long-time Norton Internet Security user, but after learning of the inclusion of product activation in the 2004 package, I just couldn't bring myself to upgrade to NIS 2004 or 2005. NIS has worked well for me but occasional Gibson Research diagnostics revealed the firewall was leaving ports open and the program did slow things down a bit.

Trend Micro's PC-cillin had every feature that I found useful and then some. Based on the demo, PC-cillin is fast (bootup and scanning), solid (no weird quirks or crashes) and highly configurable. Every time I identified a feature that I wanted to customize whether it be alerts, scheduled scans, updating or general operations, there was an easy and straightforward way to change it. The user interface is simple yet powerful and the interface / feature set have been significantly upgraded from 2004-2005 for an even better product. If anything changes, I'll communicate it but, for now, I'm sold.
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This was my opinion last year and I still stand by my positive experience with this product. The only weaknesses of this product are the default firewall level (only a problem for expert users) and the spyware detection. By default, the firewall monitors only outgoing data, but if you want added security, simply go into the profile of the firewall you're using (direct connection for me) and up the security level to 'high'. PC-cillin will then start monitoring outgoing data and the number of popup boxes is minimal. As for the spyware detection, I leave the "real-time" spyware monitoring turned off and run a separate product like Webroot Spy Sweeper or the free Microsoft Antispyware Beta. This is really not a knock on this product; from my research, none of the 'internet security' products from any company are good at cleaning up spyware, but they are getting better every year. Spyware/adware is such a major problem today that it deserves it's own solution.

Besides these two minor points, PC-cillin still continues to impress me. My immediate family and friends whose computers I'm called into help out with bought and are totally happy with this product. It will not slow down your computer and it updates/scans without user intervention (to the few users in these reviews that were bothered by constant update popups, check the setting to have the program update without user intervention). I've evaluated and used products from Norton, McAfee and Zone Labs and PC-cillin is still my internet security application of choice.

I wanted to write this review because I've just finished a long, hard, comprehensive hands-on review of the four MAJOR Internet Security products: Norton, McAfee, ZoneLabs and Trend Micro. I did this because all of them offer free trials and I wanted to see for myself who was the best.

I won't keep you in suspense with a lot of technical mumbo jumbo, Trend Micro 2005 PC-cillin is the best product for a normal, average home computer. What I mean by normal is someone who runs Windows XP and uses their home computer to pay bills, surf the Internet, play games, use Instant Messenger (AIM, MSN, YAHOO, ICQ, etc), do their homework, send e-mails, and compose general paperwork and presentations.

Now here is why you should choose Trend... 1) Trend does not hog your computer memory or cpu and does not noticeable slow down your computer or other applications. 2) Trend is fast, it loads quickly when you turn on your computer and comes up fast when you open the program itself. 3) It is extremely user friendly. 4) Updating Trend is fast and easy, on average it takes less then 20 seconds. 5) Trend Micro updates your virus definitions almost daily. (Thats a very good thing!) 6) Running a full system scan of all the files on your PC takes about 30 minutes. (Thats fast!) 7) Trend runs best on a Windows XP computer, but I installed it on Windows 98SE, Windows ME and Windows 2000 Professional and it ran flawlessly on all three.

About the other brands... Norton is a decent product. It has a good antivirus, spam filter, and firewall. But the last two releases (2004 & 2005) have been bombs. They are full of bugs, installations are cumbersome and can easily go haywire, and above all else they realy slow your computer down. I would not recommend Norton anymore, to anyone. - McAfee has the same problems as Norton except to a lesser degree. The installation is easier, updating is easier, but it is still a bloated piece of software that slows your computer. - The only real choices right now are Zonelabs and Trend. Zonelabs has a real solid product, I would recommend that product to Techies or folks who are interested in seeing "all the details" of what is coming in and going out. Personally, I have been a Techie since I was 14 and now I'm 27. I'm tired of seeing "all the details" and I just want my PC to run as fast and clean as possible. And for that, Trend was the clear winner. When all was said and done, Trend Micro and Zonelabs perform at the same outstanding level of satisfaction, but Trend edges out Zonelab because it is a bit faster and has a friendlier user interface.

Three more thing before I sign-off. First, some people are under the misunderstanding that Trends firewall does not scan outgoing data. That is false, you just have to turn the option on. After Trend is installed, double-click the icon on your taskbar. When the program loads, select the Network Security button on the left. Then double-click your active profile name with the green dot beside it. Go to the Security Level tab and set it to High. Viola, your done. You will now be alerted to both outgoing and incoming traffic. Second thing I want to say is that the Spam Filter on Trend does not come with a Spam Folder (like Norton). It only marks each e-mail, in the Subject Line, with the word [spam]. For some folks thats a little weak, but for most its not a problem. And the spam filter works at a comparable level with other spam filters. Which means, its marks Spam correctly about 95% of the time. Third, I recommend two more products for your safety and Internet enjoyment: Microsoft Antispyware and either Google Toolbar, Yahoo Toolbar or MSN Toolbar to block pop-ups. Google seems to work the best, but it doesnt really matter as they all perform well.

Good luck!

I recently purchased and installed PC-Cillin Internet Security 2005. My previous experience of Internet Security Suites was first with McAffee and most recently with Norton. When problems occurred, I found that the Customer Service of both left a lot to desire, particularly the iniquitous cost of their charged support. Nor were their web based free support options very helpful. I felt that both make it patently obvious that they are far more interested in enterprise clients than home users like me and it shows. So I switched to PC-Cillin after careful research of many of the products out there, as security is important to me. I was encouraged by the largely positive reviews I read but was concerned by a couple of the negative ones, especially concerning alleged installation and Internet connectivity glitches. My experience is that if anything can go wrong with installation of a product, I am the person to whom that will happen. So, I am delighted to say that installation on my PC with its Windows XP SP2 based OS was trouble free, except for product registration, but only because the Trend Micro Registration site was temporarily down. This was confirmed by an easily accessible and charge free Trend Micro tech. suppport rep. I was still able to install all the latest updates very easily and complete registration a half hour or so later when the reg. site came back up.

This application clearly consumes far fewer resources than Norton amd McAffee and so my browser is much less sluggish now and I have experienced no connectivity problems at all. Integration with the security features of XP-SP2 was also easy and problem free. This application works quietly in the background and is not at all intrusive. This is far different to Norton that not only consumed lots of available computer resources but also slowed you down by constantly asking one whether or not to allow access to certain sites. Who needs a prima donna security solution like that, which needs constant attention and reassurance. I am not surfing the web in order to placate the demands of an over-anxious firewall component? So I would definitely recommend this application over the Norton and Mcaffee products. Maybe a pop-up blocker would be a useful addition but most of the major ISP's and current major browser applications now offer integrated pop-up blockers, anyway. To be on the safe side I still keep freeware versions of Ad-Aware SE and Spybot on my PC to give me extra Spyware protection. Is that necessary? Maybe not, but it is no biggie, as far as I am concerned. Also the Amazon service and price for this purchase were terrific as usual. So big thumbs up for Trend Micro and Amazon and with a $25 Trend Micto mail-in rebate on top - what's not to like? I even considered giving this product 5 stars but felt I should give it more time to reassure myself that this trouble free beginning would continue.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't waste your money on Norton or Macafee. PC-cillian solved all of my antivirus and firewall problems. I have tried both on my PC and BOTH would not allow me to read my CD drive and both companies were completely CLUELESS on any resolution. I had to uninstall to use my CD drives. No way was I going to do that for long.

I installed PC-cillian 2005 on my daughter's computer (along with a new boot hard drive)that had been rendered inoperable by viruses. When I scanned the old HD with PC-cillian 2005 it found 16 files with viruses that Norton failed to detect.

Install and update couldn't be easier. Aboslutely no problems. No operational problems after install.

Please buy PC-cillian and help spread the word about this wonderful product.

Before purchasing PC-cillin Internet Security 2005, I called the Trend Micro Tech Support line to see if a real person would indeed answer,and, viola, someone did answer after about 10 minutes who spoke English! He expediently & patiently addressed by questions about compatibility with Microsoft's SP2 (he stated there are no issues). I also tried their Customer Service line and, amazingly, a live person answered and addressed my questions. This is service NOT AVAILABLE from Norton or McAfee. The last time I tried to download a McAfee update it crashed my home PC and I had to take it in for repairs. McAfee tech help was difficult to reach and non effective when I tried, via another computer, to access their on-line help. This is service from a major player? Per the reviews I have read at PC Magazine and others, Trend Micro is their No. 1 recommendation after independent testing and evaluations, and their free tech live help dial in support is highly regarded. No wonder to me. I'm buying it! There is also a $25 rebate for anyone with a previous AV Norton/McAfee product good through 2004 you dont want to miss (can find rebate form at EZSecure.com) If I have problems "I'll be baack".
HERE'S MY UPDATE AFTER INSTALATION: This is Still a major winner!!++, Before installing PC-cillin, I found out my WinXP OS was defective and was advised by Microsoft SP 2 phone help (a great free service)to perform a nondestructive recovery, it went smoothly, then we installed PC-cillin via disk. The install was flawless. Then we installed MS SP2 via disk (also free from Microsoft)on our home HP-WinXP computer, and not a single issue with PC-cillin. Trend Micro ads are now on the MSN website stating "SP2 Compliant" and it is true! After installing, you do have to run the first AV scans manually but its super easy. The internet AV update went fast and easy also from their web site (ie after registration). No wonder many are extolling the virtues of PC-cillin, very much worth every penny. Hopefully will live up to this reputation in coming years.

I've been a user of Norton Anti-Virus for longer than I care to admit. But the 2005 version caused me so much grief (constant re-registering; freezing up my computer) that I decided to look at the other anti-virus products offered. PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 was a name that kept popping up in my search. Every comment I read was favorable and so I decided to take the chance and purchase it. I couldn't find it in stores (Circuit City, Wal-Mart); all they sell are Norton and McAfee. Finally, I went to Amazon, found it there and bought it. Installing it was quick and easy and I was able to deactivate the items that I didn't need (Personal Firewall, Wi-Fi protection). So far, it's worked flawlessly scanning my mail and has disabled one virus so far. After getting frequent prompts asking me to update the virus files, (which it does quickly), I decided to set it to update automatically and now it just goes on its merry way. PC-cillin's weekly scan of my system is so much faster than Norton's ever was. The only problem I've come across is that when it prompts me to update my Windows system (which is does periodically) and sends me to the Microsoft site, their scan of my system tells me there are no updates. It doesn't happen a lot and if that's the only problem, I can live with it. Now that I have PC-cillin, I'll never go back to Norton.

This is the best Anrivirus 'package' on the market. I've tried a bunch of them, and this is the best, bar none. Why? 1 main advantage over the rest, IT DOESN'T SLOW DOWN YOUR COMPUTER AT ALL. Mcafee, Norton, Zonealarm (better than the 1st two) etc all create a noticeable drop in performance. On top of that, the price is definitely right for all you get. The interface is perfect, its very intuitive to use, and, most importantly, it works. Go to any antivirus review site and you 'll see that I'm not alone in my praise for this great piece of software. So, is it perfect? Well, not for me. Here's my 1 problem:

I am a big music fan. I have 20+ Gigs of music on my computer and I use Windows Media Player 10 to organize and play the music files. I listen to music every day. What does this have to do with pc-cillin 2005? Well, ever since I installed the software, my music files tend to 'skip' a couple times per song. It would happen with music I had played a hundred times without any sort of problems. I wouldn't believe it at first. I tried for 2 weeks looking for a solution to my problem, I looked at everything but the antivirus software. No luck. Finally, I decided to uninstall pc-cillin and install a different antivirus software. I started with a trial version of Mcafee. My music played perfectly. I tried Zonealarm security suite. My music played perfectly. I then went back to pc-cillin. Same story, music kept skipping. Why is this happening? No idea. Unfortunately, my music sound quality is much more important than the quality of my antivirus program (there are many great ones out there), so I'll have to do without this great piece of software. Oh, and just so you know, I tried different media players and the same problem happened (itunes, sony sonicstage).

So, basically, watch out for this. Pay attention to your music files for a while after installing this and make sure this doesn't happen. And if anybody knows why this is happening to me, please let me know. I would love to go back to this software if all I had to do was tweek something in the software or my system.

I hope this has been helpful.

I have been using Norton's suite for a number of years, but was getting irritated with the decrease in quality over successive versions, and the increasing demands on the computer resources. Norton has always been a memory hog, but the slow down was becoming noticable and was interfering with normal day to day work. In addition, Norton's pricing model is such that every year, it is more economic to purchase the new version, rather than just buy the anti-virus upgrades. And customer support is pricy.

Having read quite a few good reviews of PCCillin 2005, I decided to give the 30 day trial a spin - and I was glad I did. The overall system is far less hungry on resources, and is unobtrusive. The firewall/antivirus alone are a good buy - but the wireless protection module was an added bonus. In addition, I downloaded the free version of ZoneAlarm, which is working nicely with the PCCillin firewall. Overall, a good solution. As a test, I tried out the "Shields Up" (https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2) online firewall test, which passed with flying colors. The only negative part of this whole experience was actually uninstalling Norton! What a pain!

I recommend this to anyone tired of the bloatware that Norton has become. I suggest that you at least try out the free 30 day trial version (available online) and decide for yourself.

I bought PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 three weeks ago from Amazon, but only succeeded in completing the online registration and virus protection updates today, after finally getting through to a competent tech support rep. It turns out that my online registration wouldn't work because of spyware that was on my system which was not the fault of Trend Micro. Three weeks ago when I got the software, I tried many times to get support from PC-cillin. Unfortunately, they were on what they termed a "Yellow Alert". I understood this to mean that it was a period of intense worldwide attacks by viruses, trojans and spyware. Anyway, during this yellow alert I found it almost impossible to get through to tech support. Getting help by email was long and arduous as well, since PC-cillin email tech support makes you wait 1 day each between receipt and reply to continue work on each step of the issue. But today I finally got through to a tech support phone rep who was extremely helpful and stayed on with me for 1 1/2 hours until we finally isolated the spyware problem. I must say now that the program is successfully installed and registered it seems to work great. It is much faster and responsive than my previous security program, Symantec's Norton Systemworks, apparently because Trend Micro has built a leaner and meaner security program which is much less cumbersome and taxing on my operating system. Also, Trend Micro tech support showed me an additional way to check for spyware, through SpywareGuide.com, which is a good supplement to SpyBot and PC-cillin's own spyware detection, and now my system is suddenly much faster and is not stalling. I strongly suggest that if you are having trouble registering after installation (which is required before you can update virus protections online) that you clear out your system by using SpyBot, SpyWareGuide.com, and by deleting your temporary internet files and cookies. I am giving this product 4 stars, not five, because of Trend Micro's delay in not answering their phones quicker during the "yellow alert", but I am very happy with PC-cillin Internet Security 2005, and I suspect this product's quality is worthy of five stars. I am also happy with my rebate form and that PC-cillin will only cost me $14.95 total, and I am very happy that Trend Micro has customer support at all, which the other products apparently don't, so I recommend PC-cillin Internet Security. It also seems to have more functionality and features than Norton Systemworks even though Norton is more expensive, complex, and taxing to your system resources.