Trend Micro Internet Security Review

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(More customer reviews)As an IT professional with years of experience in consumer support I feel it's almost a duty to review security software such as TrendMicro's Internet Security suite. But in order to properly understand my review I need to explain that I have some pretty strict criteria for my evaluation.
1. Ease of use, installation and maintenance: the application suite must be easy for the average user to install maintain, and use. Ideally the product should be out of sight out of mind as much as possible, simply performing its job in the background.
2. Lack of interference in daily use of the PC: the application suite should not slow down a modern PC with reasonable hardware specifications; it should not bother the user with pop-ups about what it is doing nor with minor "threats" such as cookies.
3. Level of threat protection : the user's PC should be protected against network (attacks used by worms), web (attacks used by hackers on the web) and file system attacks (malicious file downloads).
4. Ease of customization when required: if something is blocked that should not be, a reasonably proficient user should not need to seek professional help configuring the application.
ThrendMicro is, in my opinion, one of the best producers of security software available. In "ease of use and maintenance" they score very highly. Any user who is able to install software and actually understand the process will be able to install a consumer product produced by Trend. ***** so five stars for category one.
However they still only score three stars for lack of interference. The software does NOT slow down the PC (Pentium D, with 2GB RAM, not a high end machine) but companies like Trend, Symantec, and McAfee need to understand that if I can manually put the window from a scan to run invisibly in the background, maybe it should just run there anyway. I also don't care that Trend has deleted the cookies from my computer. I don't want to be told about the removal of threats of the most minimal risk level. I have also found several legit sites that were blocked that annoyed me. For example, I tried to watch streaming video from FOX's web site and it was blocked. ***-- for category two.
Five stars, though, for threat protection. If your system is up-to-date, Trend is up-to-date and you do not disable it you will almost certainly not get infected. The problem arises when the user participates in high-risk behaviors like file sharing (bit-torrent, eMule, etc) and then disables the software to access something they shouldn't. This is the surest way to 0wn3d, to use a technical term. *****
I have to give them credit on ease of customization. Unlike Symantec's Endpoint Protection (which was a nightmare for nearly all categories) Trend's products have always had a simple, easy to understand interface. They use intuitive names like "web protection" for their services enabling even unsophisticated users to understand where to click when they need to find something.
4 ½ overall score. Not bad! I highly recommend this software to protect your PC.


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With Trend Micro Internet Security, you no longer need to choose between computer performance and maximum protection. Get smart, proven security that never sleeps, guarding your PC from the latest threats while giving you the freedom to browse and shop online. Safeguard your PC and your personal information without compromise. Smart security features in Trend Micro Internet Security protect the computers in your home as you email and browse online. Enhanced parental controls help you take charge of where and when your children go online. Protection for up to 3 PCs per household.

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CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition (Exam SY0-201) Review

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(More customer reviews)According to CompTIA's website, while not a prerequisite, they recommend that an individual sitting the Security+ exam have "at least two years of on-the-job technical networking experience, with an emphasis on security." They further recommend having the Network+ certification. My review of this book is based on an assumption that the individual using this book either meets these recommendations or, through some other means, has equivalent knowledge and experience.
As the author of an eLearning program that helps prepare people for the Security+ exam, I have considered the Security+ 2008 objectives more than most. This book covers everything you need to know to pass the Security+ exam - assuming you have the fundamentals of networking down. As an example, on page 15 (very early in the book) the authors assume you know what a port is when they say, "A network administrator can, for instance, move a service from its default port to a different port..." There is no explanation as to what a "port" is and, according to CompTIA's recommendations, there need not be.
I've given this as a simple example, but the book is filled with assumptions. It's probably a good thing. The book is nearly 700 pages now; imagine how large it would be if all of the knowledge were provided in this single resource. If you don't meet the recommendations that CompTIA suggests, I would encourage you to get this book along with your choice of a Network+ study guide. Then, even if you don't wish to acquire the Network+ certification, you will have the knowledge you need for the assumed information in this book.
I particularly liked the organization of this book. Part I deals with the theory of security (principles, organizational requirements, legal issues, etc.) and provides a foundation for the rest of the book. Part II deals with confidentiality in quite a bit more depth than is required by the Security+ exam. The coverage is closer to that needed for the CISSP exam. The next two parts, Security in the Infrastructure and Security in Transmission address the security needs for network access, data access and data transfer. The final part, excluding the Appendices, is Part V; here, issues related to operational and administrative security are addressed.
Overall, the information is presented in a sequence that makes it both digestible and memorable. I have to say that, in my opinion, this is the best Security+ book to come along yet.

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A CompTIA Security+ Exam Guide and An On-the-Job Reference--All-in-One

Get complete coverage of all the material included on the CompTIA Security+ exam inside this fully up-to-date, comprehensive resource. Written by network security experts, this authoritative exam guide features learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, practice questions, and in-depth explanations. Designed to help you pass the CompTIA Security+ exam with ease, this definitive volume also serves as an essential on-the-job reference. Get full details on all exam topics, including how to:

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