Trend Micro Beta Tests Latest PC-cillin Antivirus

As evidenced by the forthcoming Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft is actively pushing its customers to secure their PCs. One way for Windows users to batten down the hatches and reduce their exposure to malware is to have antivirus protection turned on and kept up-to-date with the latest virus definitions.

To this end, Trend Micro is opening up a beta test of PC-cillin Antivirus to customers who want to be on the bleeding edge of virus protection.

In its upcoming release, Trend Micro is not offering a built-in firewall, or any additional bell and whistles unrelated to the detection and removal of viruses and spyware. The reasoning behind this decision is based on the fact that Microsoft has shored up the Windows Firewall in Windows XP SP2, while many ISPs already protect their subscribers from spam.

For non-XP users, and those who prefer to choose their own software, Trend Micro offers a broad range of protections in its PC-cillin Internet Security suite that Windows does not offer. McAfee has taken a similar tact by striking its personal firewall from VirusScan 8.0.

As an alternative to Trend Micro, both McAfee and Symantec, along with other vendors, offer their own security products.

Trend Micro PC-cillin Antivirus scans for viruses every time a file is open, copied, moved, or saved; it detects and eliminates Spyware; scans e-mail messages and attachments; monitors Microsoft Word and Excel sessions; and schedules automated virus scans.

Testers interested in signing up for the beta program can do so by visiting the Trend Micro Web site and filling out a survey. The beta cycle is scheduled to end March 31.