I definitely have to say something good about the new Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security System 2007 I downloaded last week.

In the past, I’ve had Norton and McAfee security.

Norton let all sorts of stuff in and didn’t always find it during scans, and I once even had to have some computer experts walk me through eliminating some Trojan horses, nearly 20 of them, that Art Carney Norton couldn’t delete or quarantine.

McAfee tried to take over my computer – in fact, for an entire week after I installed it, even after I turned off the spam filter altogether, not a single piece of email arrived in any of my inboxes, yet after I completely purged it from my computer, emails came flooding in.

I’ve had the current Trend Micro system for nearly a year, and it was good, though nothing compared to the 2007 upgrade I now have.

This one is awesome. It slowed my computer down for the first 12 – 16 hours after it was installed (direct download from Trend Micro, though they are sending me a back-up CD), also sending up cautionary flags whenever I visited another blog or other site (”unfamiliar website”), then it became “accustomed” to my browsing habits and seemed to make itself at home.

Whenever I go to a commercial website or open a curious piece of spam or other email, if it contains viruses, Trojan horses or any kind of spyware, hacking capabilities, etc, a red bordered rectangle appears on my screen and warns me about it, listing the hazards there while the system prevents them from invading my computer.

Since I travel a lot and consequently use provided access at hotels, the system is good to have as it has special applications for just such mobility, both ethernet port and wireless.

It also protects my home wireless network, and will protect the laptops of any of my guests while they are accessing it.

It downloads updates quite often, but they are fast (less than 30 seconds) and non-interruptive.

The tutorial that downloads with it is much easier to understand, even for a technologically challenged guy like me, than the Bangalorian “engineers” you get when you call customer support. You know, those folks you can hardly understand unless you’ve been smoking hashish for a few hours first. Not being a hashish smoker, I’m grateful for the tutorial matter.

This is the list of its functions and benefits, as provided at their website:

AntiVirus Security
Detects and removes viruses and the latest threats from your emails, Internet downloads, removable media and PCs. Automatic updates immunize your security system against the newest virus outbreaks.

Spyware Protection
Blocks and removes spyware, adware, grayware, and root kits, a new type of deep-hiding invader.

Personal Firewall
Intercepts hackers and network viruses trying to attack your computer and home network.

Fraud Defense
Protects you from online phishing scams designed to steal credit card and bank account numbers. Configures easily and notifies you of the latest Web-site risk.

Wireless Network Monitoring
Safeguards against unauthorized users invading your wireless home network.

Home Network Control
Manages, configures and updates security for every PC on your network, with an easy-to-use management console.

Bonus Services

Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 gives you access to TrendSecure, an online suite of security tools:

Transaction Guard™ protects your online transactions conducted at Internet Cafes or other public wireless hotspots.

Remote File Lock™ safeguards your private files in case your laptop is lost or stolen.

Trend Micro Mobile Security protects your cell phone against viruses and other threats.

As far as I’m concerned, this security system is a great deal, well worth looking into.