14 DAY TRIAL // Trend Micro is joining Panda in embracing the Cloud with its security solutions. In this regard, Trend Micro's HouseCall 7.0 is now available to computer users as a free online security offering. The Cupertino-based security outfit indicated that HouseCall 7.0 is the evolution of its previous online virus and malware scanning service.
The revamping involves a redesigned graphical user interface and enhanced scanning processes with boosted performance. With the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network at the backend, HouseCall 7.0 is offered as a free, on-demand service to Windows users.
According to the antivirus company, HouseCall 7.0 is designed to play nice with Windows XP Service Pack 2 and SP3, but also Windows Vista RTM and SP1 and even the Release Candidate (RC) Build 7100 of Windows 7. However, one limitation of the Trend Micro Cloud antivirus is the fact that it only comes with support for the 32-bit flavors of the Windows platforms enumerated above. At the end of April 2009, rival security company Panda released a similar offering, namely the Panda Cloud Antivirus.
“HouseCall 7.0 offers the following new functionalities: browser independent client that eliminates compatibility issues often associated with other browser activated scanners; Smart Scan technology for targeted scanning of active malware, reducing scan times to several minutes; in-the-cloud threat intelligence, delivering immediate detection while reducing download requirements,” Trend Micro revealed.
Trend Micro added that HouseCall 7.0 is designed to share information across the Smart Protection Network via Smart Feedback. In this context, instances of the service communicate throughout the network in order to keep end users better protected. On top of this, the Cloud antivirus brings to the table past scan results review and restore functionality. Still, the service is in Beta stage, and testers are advised that they could run into problems.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 (Release Candidate) RC Build 7100.0.090421-1700 is available for download here.