Resolved What is Trend Micro Proxy Server?

I have slow dial up Internet. I recently discovered a program that allows me to see where my Internet activity is coming from (NetLimiter 2 Monitor). Though my download connection has been tested as 2kbps, Trend Micro Proxy Server frequently is downloading and uploading 4.5+ kbps, which prevents me from doing anything else on line. What is being downloaded and uploaded by this feature of my antivirus? The only way I've been able to get it to stop is to disconnect my Internet connection and then start it up again. I'd like to know exactly what it is doing, whether it is necessary and how to stop it, or at least take only what is left after I use all I want. I'll be upgrading to high speed access in May, but it is a nuisance and seems to be getting worse. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Replace Trend Micro with MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials).

 

I've been told nothing would change with MSE. Before I go through the process of cleaning one antivirus from my computer and installing another, I want to know what is actually happening, and how MSE operates differently. This problem only exists when a browser is open, not when I am just accessing my email, and doesn't seem to be limited to one particular browser.

 

What about this report? http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3667_7-57564385/microsoft-bombs-another-security-test/

"While relatively few people are using AhnLabs' ineffective security suite, the same can't be said for Microsoft Security Essentials. If you are using MSE, I recommend uninstalling it and going with any other security suite. Free suites that received good ratings from CNET this past year are Avast, AVG, and Panda Cloud Antivirus.

In the test that Microsoft just failed, Avast and AVG Free scored 14 out of 18, while Panda hit 13 out of 18. The best-scoring product was the paid license Bitdefender Internet Security 2013, which notched 16.5. Other top scores that bested the free suites came from F-Secure Internet Security 2013, Kaspersky Internet Security 2013, Norton Internet Security 2013, and Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security 2013. "

 

1) "The best" will vary dependant upon which batch of viruses/malware they were being tested against.

2) Since tens of thousands of new malware are being released daily, "the best" today may not be "the best" tomorrow.

3) If there were only one "best" solution, everyone would be using it.

 

I'm not looking for people to tell me to change from one antivirus to another; I'm seeking an understanding of how and why this proxy server works. It only works when I have a browser open (any browser), not my email programs, and it operates whether I am surfing pages or sitting there doing nothing. It will stop for a while and then start up again, untriggered by any action of mine. I can put up with it for another 10 weeks, till I get faster Internet access, but I would like to learn what this is all about.

 

Wikipedia: Proxy Server

 

Thanks for the generalized link, but I'm more interested in hearing from someone who has an understanding of the hows and whys of this particular proxy server.