Our Rating Price when reviewed 30inc VAT
A modern security suite with some neat features, but its performance in tests lets it down
Pros Some intuitive featuresCons Poor false-positive recognitionSlow to launch appsOverpriced
The first thing you see on installing Trend Micro Internet Security is a prompt asking you which folders you want to be monitored and protected from ransomware. It’s a strong, proactive introduction that provides reassurance from the start.
Trend Micro internet security review: Features
Its main interface is divided into four sections. The first is “Device”: here you can configure your scanning and web-filtering options and set up Trend Micro’s silent-running “Mute mode”. This works in an unusual way: you have to activate it manually, but you can then optionally suspend Windows Update, and even nominate specific processes that should be automatically terminated.
Next is the Privacy section, which includes some interesting features: the suite can check your settings on various social networks, and warn if you’re oversharing without realising it, and it will also flag up dangerous links on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other platforms. The Data Theft Prevention feature attempts to block the transmission of sensitive data, but I found this of limited use, as it doesn’t seem to be able to look inside HTTPS connections, which many websites now use by default.
Third up, the Data section lets you configure Trend Micro’s ransomware component, and use the built-in secure erase utility. And finally there are the parental controls, which include category-based web filtering, time limits and usage schedules for specific apps.
Trend Micro internet security review: Performance
Unfortunately, despite a faultless 100% protection score, Trend Micro Internet Security fell down in the false-positive test. AV-Test found that the suite didn’t just throw up erroneous warnings, but wrongly blocked multiple safe applications. It was one of the worst offenders in AV-Comparatives’ latest real-world test too, with only BullGuard and Windows Defender ranking lower.
The software didn’t redeem itself in the performance test, either. Both labs agreed that it was the slowest of this month’s group for launching apps, and AV-Comparatives also found it had one of the worst impacts on file download speeds. With an overall performance score of 81%, it was rescued from last place only by Windows Defender.
Trend Micro internet security review: Verdict
In the end, we suggest you look elsewhere. Trend Micro’s thoughtful design deserves praise, but its test results and price sadly rule it out.