Trend Micro Maximum Security Review: A Shrinking Legacy
Trend Micro’s Maximum Security suite has long been a trusted name in antivirus protection. When it was first introduced, it garnered attention for its simple interface, solid malware protection, and helpful features, making it an excellent choice for users new to cybersecurity. However, in the years since its release, this once-prized software has lost its competitive edge, failing to keep up with industry rivals like Avast, AVG, and Norton. While the suite still provides basic protection, it’s now outpaced in terms of functionality, performance, and reliability.
In this review, we’ll explore how Trend Micro Maximum Security performs in today’s landscape, touching on its features, performance, and value proposition, alongside areas where it still struggles. Let’s dive in.
The Decline of a Former Favorite
Trend Micro Maximum Security used to be a well-rounded product, offering a robust set of tools to protect users against malware, web threats, and privacy issues. However, in comparison to other antivirus suites in the same price range, it now feels more like a shadow of its former self. Key features, such as protection against offline threats, are now among the worst in benchmark tests. And beyond poor performance in these areas, the software suffers from several bugs that prevent it from working smoothly.
Once known for its user-friendly interface, Trend Micro has failed to adapt to modern expectations, making it an increasingly frustrating choice for users seeking a polished, reliable product.
Key Features and Functionality
Trend Micro Maximum Security is primarily focused on malware protection and online security. The software’s real-time protection engine continuously scans your system for threats, including phishing sites, ransomware, suspicious downloads, and potentially dangerous applications. It also monitors your web traffic to detect malware and phishing attempts in real-time. Additionally, the suite includes a limited password manager, dark web monitoring, and tools designed to keep your system up-to-date and your data safe.
However, despite these useful features, there are some glaring omissions. The software lacks a built-in firewall, relying instead on Windows’ default firewall for network protection. Similarly, the VPN feature, which is increasingly common in modern security suites, is only available in the higher-tier Premium Security Suite, forcing users to upgrade for access to this essential tool.
Subscription Pricing and Plans
Trend Micro offers two primary pricing options: a one-year plan for $50 and a two-year plan for $100. A 30-day free trial is available, allowing users to test out the software before committing. However, be aware that the subscription automatically renews after the first term, and the price can increase substantially upon renewal. While the two-year plan offers better value, the software’s current performance may not justify the investment when compared to competing solutions that offer more comprehensive features for a similar price.
Installation and Performance Issues
During testing, installation on my secondary Windows 10 machine went smoothly, but I encountered significant issues on my primary Windows 11 test laptop. The software refused to launch, and after several troubleshooting attempts, including uninstalling and reinstalling the program and running Trend Micro’s diagnostic tools, I could not get the app to work on that machine. Eventually, I had to install it on a different Windows 11 PC to complete my review.
Once installed successfully, the interface greets users with a light-colored dashboard. Although the interface is relatively simple, it can feel disorganized and outdated compared to more modern alternatives. Key settings are spread across several menus, making it difficult to navigate quickly. For example, to adjust the general settings (such as theme colors), you have to dive deeper into the settings menu, a layout that’s reminiscent of older software rather than a contemporary security suite.
Protection and Features
When it comes to protecting your system from malware, Trend Micro performs fairly well, though it lags behind competitors in some areas. The software’s real-time protection detects and blocks malware from various sources, including downloaded files, email attachments, and suspicious programs. However, it does not scan archive files (like zip archives) by default, leaving a potential gap in its protection.
In addition to standard malware protection, Trend Micro includes Folder Shield, which allows you to protect specific files and folders from unauthorized access, a feature designed to prevent ransomware attacks. However, this feature is marred by technical issues that freeze the software, rendering it unreliable during testing.
Dark web monitoring is another key feature of Trend Micro Maximum Security. The software keeps tabs on up to five email addresses and tracks sensitive personal information, including social security numbers and passport details, to alert you of any data breaches. However, this feature may not be necessary for all users, and some competitors offer more robust alternatives.
Performance and System Impact
In terms of system performance, Trend Micro Maximum Security has a relatively light impact on most modern PCs. During testing, the software did not significantly affect system benchmarks, such as web browsing, video editing, or gaming performance. While running in the background, it had a minimal impact on system resources, with performance drops remaining tolerable for most users.
However, during a full system scan, the software did cause a noticeable slowdown, with performance dropping by around 10-13%. While this isn’t a major issue for high-end systems, older or lower-end machines may experience more significant slowdowns. The software can be scheduled to run scans during off-hours, which is helpful for users who need to minimize the impact on performance.
Parental Controls and Privacy Features
Trend Micro Maximum Security offers parental controls for protecting children from inappropriate content and limiting device usage. The controls are easy to set up and include website filtering, time limits, and app restrictions. However, the website filtering feature is unreliable, as it failed to block several sites that should have been restricted.
The suite also includes a privacy scanner for social media and a data-theft prevention tool. The privacy scanner evaluates your social media settings to ensure your information is protected. However, Trend Micro’s reliance on third-party browser extensions for these features may be seen as a downside, as they can slow down browsing and cause occasional issues.
Conclusion: Is Trend Micro Maximum Security Worth It?
Ultimately, Trend Micro Maximum Security no longer offers the same value it once did. While it still provides basic protection against malware and online threats, its lack of advanced features (like a VPN or firewall) and its underwhelming performance in tests make it hard to recommend over other options. Competitors like Norton 360 Deluxe, which includes a VPN and superior protection features, offer better overall value.
The suite’s performance issues, outdated interface, and occasional bugs leave much to be desired, making it clear that Trend Micro Maximum Security is no longer a top contender in the antivirus market. If you’re looking for a security suite that can offer comprehensive protection, smoother performance, and a more modern interface, you’d be better off considering other options.
