ANTenna Blog -- Security

Announced today, the latest version of Trend Micro's small and midsized business "Worry Free" Business Security Suite includes enhanced URL filtering as well as USB device monitoring.

Release 6.0 of Trend Micro's SMB security package, "Worry-Free Business Security Suite" includes a number of features and enhancements that are reminders of how far we've come -- or, conversely, how far the bad guys have come -- during the half decade since the company launched its "Worry-Free" line.

USB protection was the one that most caught my eye -- As removable devices become both more ubiquitous and more powerful (even as their prices drop) we're going to see more and more of them used as avenues into our networks. Sealing off thumb-drive and other device-borne threats before they get onto the network is one of the newer must-have protection levels that every business should be looking at and, in my opinion, implementing immediately.

The new release is also touted as boosting your control over which URLs your employees can and can't visit, and when. The user- (or, more appropriately for business, administrator-) defined URL blocking feature aims to help keep your employees' eyes and, more critically, their browsers on work-related sites and off everything you don't want them surfing to.

The suite is rounded out with anti-virus, feedback that shares new threats threats and threat-responses throughout Trend Micro's customer base, and an enhanced dashboard aimed at reducing demands on administrator time and other limited IT resources.

"Worry-Free?" Maybe, maybe not: Show me a small or midsized business owner or IT manager who isn't worried at least some of the time and I'll show you a soon-to-be former SMB owner or manager.

But Trend Micro's goal -- automating and streamlining as much of security management, deployment and maintenance (including new threat updates and fixes) is a worthy one, particularly in tight economic times.

That the company is rolling out "Worry-Free" 6.0 at competitive prices -- low $30s to just under $60 per seat, with price determined by the number of seats at your business -- makes this latest version, available May 29, well worth a look.

And while you're looking at security solutions, don't overlook the fact that bMighty's bSecure SMB Security On A Budget online event is now an on-demand event.

Take a look at what we, various security experts, and you (the real experts!) had to say about a variety of security and security budget issues here: