23 May 2008

Trend offers instant Web access to pooled security data

Steve Gold

Trend Micro has become the first IT security vendor to offer Internet users access to its security data pooled anonymously from its software users around the world.

As with other vendors, notably Cloudmark, Zone Labs and Bullguard - the latter of which has recently launched an anti-spam and security package which is free of charge, in return for users agreeing to pool their data anonymously - Trend Micro uses security information from its software users to update its own database.

This data is now being offered on the company's Web-based TrendTracker service, which gives Internet users dashboard-style access to second-by-second changes in the security and malware environment.

The dashboard - located at http://itw.trendmicro-europe.com/index.php?id=68 gives users access to current, as well as daily, weekly and monthly history logs, focusing on the number of Web sites monitored; volume of emails checked; and the files scanned by its software.

To promote the free-to-access Web information service, Trend is offering users a 90-day free trial of Web Protection service, a Web browser add-on that monitors the URLs accessed by Internet users and warns if the user is about to visit a potentially suspect site.

The pooled database that is used to compile the firm's TrendTracker Web page is what drives the Web Protection Service.

In the event that a user overrides the advice of the Web Protection service and visits a potentially suspect site, they are routed to Trend's HouseCall Web-based security scanner for a free scan and system clean-up.

Now into v1.2, the gold code version of Trend's Web Protection software is compatible with Win2000 Pro, Win XP (Home and Pro), Windows Server 2003 plus 2008 editions, and Vista (32-bit environment).

www.trendmicro.com/go/WebThreatChallenge

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