Public beta of HouseCall 7.0 is now available

HouseCall 7.0 is a major redesign of Trend Micro’s free online virus and malware scanning service. Since its introduction in 1997, HouseCall has been scanning computers, and scrubbing out viruses and malware it discovers. HouseCall 7.0 has a new user interface, and streamlined processes resulting in shorter scan times. The flagship free tool now uses elements of the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network to deliver fast detection and removal of active malware.

HouseCall 7.0, now available for public beta, has a simplified user interface to make scanning quick and easy. A lightweight client is downloaded to manage the scan, instead of using a Java or ActiveX agent, thus eliminating browser compatibility issues. The user can activate the client for on-demand scanning for up to 90 days before the tool expires, at which time a new updated client can be easily obtained.

Using Smart Scan technology, HouseCall 7.0 is able to zero-in on active malware by targeting those areas of the system where they reside, reducing total scan times from hours to only minutes. Active infections are quickly removed using enhanced clean up capabilities.

HouseCall was the first on-demand virus and malware scanning service; it has been leveraging the power of the Internet and has performed millions of scans for more than 12 years. 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.
• Smart Feedback, which shares threat information with the Smart Protection Network, enables correlation of reputation data across a global intelligence network to quickly discover new threats.
• Review and restore functionality that lets users compare past scan results and recover files.

The Smart Protection Network is a cloud-client security infrastructure that provides threat protection by identifying and blocking viruses, spyware, spam, and Web threats. The Smart Protection Network is a tightly integrated system that correlates threat intelligence from in-the-cloud reputation databases, with a global feedback network.

HouseCall 7.0 is a showcase for the Smart Protection Network, which uses cloud-based threat intelligence during scans, and feeds threat data back into the network which is then automatically updated and strengthened as more products, services and users access it, creating a real-time neighborhood watch security service.