Trend Micro Maximum Security 16

[Divine_Barakah]

Trend Micro Maximum Security offers decent protection. One of the best behavioural blockers with some kind of reputation-based prevention combined with decent web protection. If you have a powerful device, it won't slow you down but still it impacts the performance a little.

***Some important notes***

1- Most settings don't need to be changed from default as the product offer decent protection on default settings (frankly, there are no fancy settings to be modified but the protection level can be set to hyper-sensitive if you visit dodgy website but it can generate more FPs because w=it will literally block every single thing that does not exist in TM's cloud whitelist.

2- The product performance is not that bad. Actually, it is worth using because it offers decent protection and it will not confuse you with too many technical settings.

3- PUPs protection is one of the worst ever. If you watch YouTube tests you'll find that PUPs sneaks into PC and bypasses TM's protection.

Spoiler: Main Windows

Spoiler: Device Tab

Spoiler: PC Health Checkup

Spoiler: Mute Mode

Spoiler: Protect Another Device

Spoiler: Privacy Tab

Spoiler: Privacy Scanner

Spoiler: Social Networking Protection

Spoiler: Data Theft Prevention

Spoiler: Data Tab

Spoiler: Folder Shield

Spoiler: Secure Erase

Spoiler: Vault

Spoiler: Family Tab

Spoiler: Parental Controls

Spoiler: Protection Settings

Spoiler: Security and Tune Up Controls

Spoiler: Scan Preferences

Spoiler: PC Health Checkup Settings

Spoiler: Scheduled Scans

Spoiler: Internet and Email Controls

Spoiler: Web Threats

Spoiler: Spam and Emailed Files

Spoiler: Network

Spoiler: Other Settings

Spoiler: System Startup

Spoiler: Network Settings (other)

Spoiler: Smart Protection Network

Spoiler: Password Protection

Spoiler: Background and Animation

Spoiler: Trend Micro HouseCall for Home Networks

Spoiler: What is HouseCall for Home Networks?

Trend Micro HouseCall for Home Networks scans your home network to help you answer the following questions:

• Who has connected to my home Wi-Fi network?
• Are my home network and connected devices safe from hackers and malicious software?
• What should I do if my network or devices are vulnerable?

Use a simple one-tap scan to detect all of the devices connected to your home network and check them for security risks.
HouseCall for Home Networks also provides helpful advice on protecting your devices and keeping your digital life safe.

• Works using intelligent network scanning technology
• Scans devices connected to your home network
• Finds device vulnerabilities
• Provides helpful advice for keeping your network and devices secure
• Gives you a report about the status of your network and devices

 

[SeriousHoax]

Nice review. You pointed some interesting point out there that I wasn't aware of. Thanks.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Nice review. You pointed some interesting point out there that I wasn't aware of. Thanks.

I am curious which one if you don't mind

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I feel bad that @Bvlon is not here anymore and this post (review) does not mean that I have taken advantage of his absence in any way. I really liked his posts and reviews. I find it weird that he is gone and that he deleted his posts.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Updated the review. Any suggestions are always welcome.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Have just finished testing Trend Micro HouseCall for Home Networks. It is a very useful addition.

 

[oldschool]

I find it weird that he is gone and that he deleted his posts.

This happens periodically. Some of these members return, or return under different usernames - and the cycle repeats ...

 

[Protomartyr]

Good review! I especially appreciate that you took the time to screenshot all the settings/configuration pages. Really helpful for people who are unfamiliar with the program to get situated when they install it for the first time.

Even though I'm happy with Windows Defender on my personal PCs, I've been looking into a third-party AV suite for the rest of my family. I used to use Trend Micro prior to Windows 10, so I may revisit it soon.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I am curious which one if you don't mind

UI bug, poor PUP detection, lack of phishing protection without toolbar, slowing down internet speed
Btw, you may have noticed, there's no way to manually delete quarantined item. There's no delete button anywhere to clear logs and any quarantined item which is really awkward

 

[Paul.R]

"There's no delete button anywhere to clear logs and any quarantined item ..." easier job for CIA or NSA.

 

[DDE_Server]

This happens periodically. Some of these members return, or return under different usernames - and the cycle repeats ...

i think you mean certain person by different username

 

[Divine_Barakah]

This happens periodically. Some of these members return, or return under different usernames - and the cycle repeats ...

Yea it is very annoying but we can do nothing about it. They might have their reasons too. Life will go on no matter what.

Good review! I especially appreciate that you took the time to screenshot all the settings/configuration pages. Really helpful for people who are unfamiliar with the program to get situated when they install it for the first time.

Even though I'm happy with Windows Defender on my personal PCs, I've been looking into a third-party AV suite for the rest of my family. I used to use Trend Micro prior to Windows 10, so I may revisit it soon.

The product is very easy-to-use, so it will be a good idea to install it on family devices if PUPs are not a concern.

UI bug, poor PUP detection, lack of phishing protection without toolbar, slowing down internet speed
Btw, you may have noticed, there's no way to manually delete quarantined item. There's no delete button anywhere to clear logs and any quarantined item which is really awkward

Yea the UI getting stuck is annoying, very annoying. TM toolbar does not work with Vivaldi and Brave browsers (or any chromium-based browser even though the toolbar gets automatically installed). When the toolbar is enabled, you'll notice a speed drop in while browsing (websites take longer to load).

Regarding the quarantined items, actually as long as they are stored securely, I do not care but I do agree with you that it is sth weird.

 

[SeriousHoax]

Yea the UI getting stuck is annoying, very annoying. TM toolbar does not work with Vivaldi and Brave browsers (or any chromium-based browser even though the toolbar gets automatically installed). When the toolbar is enabled, you'll notice a speed drop in while browsing (websites take longer to load).

Toolars are annoying already so slowing website loading is even worse.

Regarding the quarantined items, actually as long as they are stored securely, I do not care but I do agree with you that it is sth weird.

Yes quarantined items would be secured for sure but I don't remember ever testing any AV which doesn't give users this simple option. It might not be a big deal for common people but geeks like us here in the forum who can't sleep well at night without testing AVs capabilities () could be a problem.
Two days ago I literally tested Trend Micro against more than 300 malwares in a VM (Say hello to my quarantined life ) and at the end of it my VM almost ran out of space because I couldn't delete any quarantined items.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Toolars are annoying already so slowing website loading is even worse.

Yes quarantined items would be secured for sure but I don't remember ever testing any AV which doesn't give users this simple option. It might not be a big deal for common people but geeks like us here in the forum who can't sleep well at night without testing AVs capabilities ( ) could be a problem.
Two days ago I literally tested Trend Micro against more than 300 malwares in a VM (Say hello to my quarantined life ) and at the end of it my VM almost ran out of space because I couldn't delete any quarantined items.

Well, this is a nightmare, really! 300 malware in quarantine hahahah
I am sure that some people requested the option to be added.

 

[SeriousHoax]

Well, this is a nightmare, really! 300 malware in quarantine hahahah
I am sure that some people requested the option to be added.

I found the quarantine folder in Program data but there's no way to disable self protection in the UI so couldn't delete. There must be some alternative way but I did search on google but anyway it's a good product. Like you said, signature is weak but behavior blocker is solid.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I found the quarantine folder in Program data but there's no way to disable self protection in the UI so couldn't delete. There must be some alternative way but I did search on google but anyway it's a good product. Like you said, signature is weak but behavior blocker is solid.

For a normal guy it is not a problem. Who will come across 300 malware samples? LOL. But that's not an excuse. They must add the option of empty the quarantine.

 

[roger_m]

On my test computer, I have it configured to delete, rather than quarantine threats, so it's not an issue - on that computer at least.

One thing I find somewhat concerning is the detection rate. I tested it some time ago against a very large older malware pack, just with context menu scans. The initial detection rate could have been better, but in the next week or so, it detected hundreds of files that weren't initially detected. However, I've recently installed Maximum Security again and when tested against the same malware collection its detection rate is abysmal for some reason. In the week or so since I've installed it, around 20 more threats have been detected. There are nearly 9,000 threats it removed last time, that still remain.

While I have no idea what the detection rate would be if the missed threats were launched, the static detection rate is a concern.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

On my test computer, I have it configured to delete, rather than quarantine threats, so it's not an issue - on that computer at least.

One thing I find somewhat concerning is the detection rate. I tested it some time ago against a very large older malware pack, just with context menu scans. The initial detection rate could have been better, but in the next week or so, it detected hundreds of files that weren't initially detected. However, I've recently installed Maximum Security again and when tested against the same malware collection its detection rate is abysmal for some reason. In the week or so since I've installed it, around 20 more threats have been detected. There are nearly 9,000 threats it removed last time, that still remain.

While I have no idea what the detection rate would be if the missed threats were launched, the static detection rate is a concern.

Yes I agree wholeheartedly that the static detection rate is not great. But given the fact that most infections come from downloads and email attachments, TM will block most of them if not all of them with its decent web filter.

 

[SeriousHoax]

On my test computer, I have it configured to delete, rather than quarantine threats, so it's not an issue - on that computer at least.

One thing I find somewhat concerning is the detection rate. I tested it some time ago against a very large older malware pack, just with context menu scans. The initial detection rate could have been better, but in the next week or so, it detected hundreds of files that weren't initially detected. However, I've recently installed Maximum Security again and when tested against the same malware collection its detection rate is abysmal for some reason. In the week or so since I've installed it, around 20 more threats have been detected. There are nearly 9,000 threats it removed last time, that still remain.

While I have no idea what the detection rate would be if the missed threats were launched, the static detection rate is a concern.

I've noticed this variation in static detection as well. It doesn't make any sense. I also had many samples for which Virustotal shows it has signatures but not detected by the product neither in static nor after execution. Internet connection was fine so don't know why this happened.