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Trend Micro Online Guardian

Company
Trend Micro Incorporated
Version
7.0.1255
Devices supported
Computer
Operating system
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Price *
47.97 €
Language of interface
english
Test date
SIP Bench III, 3rd test cycle, Summer 2014

*Prices might change according to the latest company offers

EFFECTIVENESS

The overall effectiveness score is fair on adult content and very weak on other harmful content.
There is no major difference in effectiveness between teenagers and children.
There is no major difference in effectiveness between web and web 2.0.
There is no major difference in effectiveness among the different languages.
Effectiveness score with adult content filtering for users up to 12 year old: 2.2
Effectiveness score with other harmful content filtering for users up to 12 year old: 0.0
Effectiveness score with adult content filtering for users 13 years and older: 2.4
Effectiveness score with other harmful content filtering for users 13 years and older: 0.0
Effectiveness score for users up to 12 year old: 1.1 out of 4 points
Effectiveness score for users 13 years and older: 1.2 out of 4 points


USABILITY

Installation of the tool: The installation of the tool is combined with the configuration process. The installation itself is very short and quite easy. The installer does not provide advanced options.
Configuration of the tool: In general the configuration process is comprehensible and easy to learn. The process can be influenced with regard to different filter tasks. The overall look and feel is appealing and joyful.
Usage of the tool: The product provides no options to react when a web site has been blocked. The alert message cannot be customized and is not worded with respect to children's capability of understanding. The reporting is well comprehensible.

Usability of the installation process: 2.7
Usability of the configuration process: 3.6
Usability of the usage of the product: 2.9


Overall score for usability: 3.2 out of 4 points


FUNCTIONALITY

The parental control function is part of Trend Micro Online Guardian security suite. The age group set up is linked to the content criteria but can also be individualized. The parents can indicate specific URLs to be blocked (creation of a black list) or allowed (creation of a white list) by the filter despites the selected categories. It is possible to block pages or the user communication activities through specific keywords. Trend Micro allows parents to monitor children's internet activity, protect them against cyberbullying and prevent them to share personal data. The program provides time limit function.


SECURITY

The low rate results from the possibility for the user to by-pass the tool using an alternative browser.
Overall score for security: 0 out of 4 points


DETAILED FUNCTIONALITY

Area of needFunctionalitySpecific issuesAssessment
Management Management of User profiles Create several profiles Yes
Remote Management Manage on various devices Yes
Monitoring Remote access to monitoring No
Filtering Customisation Topics Customisation of Filtering Topics Yes
URLs White List Restrict Browsing to White List No
Default White List Yes
Modification OR Creation Yes
URLs Black List Creation of User's own Black List Yes
Keywords Keywords Default Black List No
Default White List No
Creation of a User's Black List No
Creation of a User's White List No
Time Time Limit Settings Set a specific time frame or web access duration Yes
Blocking Message Type Ask for unblocking by parents No
Redirect to safe resources No
Usage Restriction Web Block Access Yes
Monitor Access No
Safe search Availability Yes
Social Networks Block Access Yes
Monitor Usage No
Personal data Provision Block Yes
Streaming Block Access Yes
Monitor Access No
P2P Block the application Yes
Monitor Downloads No
Skype Block chat No
Block video chat No
Monitor No
Prevent new Contact No
Windows Life Messenger Block chat No
Block video chat No
Monitor No
Prevent new Contact No
Email Block email client and/or webmail access Yes

DETAILED USABILITY FINDINGS


Yes / No
I: installation in 3 steps or lessNo
I: choice of installation for beginners or advanced usersNo

C: different degrees of strength for the filteringYes
C: different content criteria for the filteringYes
C: option to transfer filter configurations between target usersNo
C: option to transfer filter configurations between devicesYes
C: overall comprehensible configurationYes
C: overall conformity with user expectationsYes
C: overall easy to learnYes

U: alert message in a child friendly languageNo
U: option to customise the reaction in case of blockingYes
U: overall easily operable and comprehensible reportingYes

DETAILED SECURITY FINDINGS

The Tool prevents the user from by-passing the filter by:Yes / No
Using the IP address instead of the URLYes
Using an alternative browserNo
Changing time and date settings*Yes
Disabling or uninstalling the software without a password*No
Closing the filtering tool trough the Task ManagerYes
Using a proxy instead of a direct connection to the InternetNo
Accessing the web-pages through the Google CacheYes
Reaching a website through translation sitesYes
Renaming a blocked applicationn/a
Using Safe ModeNo
Filtering Content personalised by userNo
Filtering Content evolving through timeNo
Filtering Multimedia contentNo
Filtering outbound contentNo


Funded by
Logo: EUEuropean Commission


Partners:
Cybion Online Business Intelligence

Stiftung Digitale Chancen

coordinated by:
Innova - Technology Transfer and Valorisation



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