Expert: James Filmer - 11/22/2009

Question
My Trend Micro 2009 antivirus and antispyware has a "prevent unauthorized changes" you can also enable. Is this necessary since I have Vista with User Account Control(UAC)? I just don't want to mess any thing up.

Answer
Compatible Microsoft operating systems: Windows Vista (32/64-bit) Ultimate/Business/Home..." describing Trend Micro 2009 on TM's website, along with a guarantee.

You can safely enable and let them know if it generates any system or browser instability. Consider visiting a Trend Micro forum for the latest TM updates.

If you haven't made any changes to the default settings associated with UAC, good.  If you have, a TM forum would be your most reliable source for what to do next.

There may be unexpected alerts, but I would think you get an option to change that.

Compatibility or incompatibility with other security applications is another story. Enabled or not, Trend Micro's bundled security application may have some features that clash with features in other security software; there's greater risk of incompatibility when you use a Security Suite (Firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware...)

Using a search engine, you'll find some discussion. Or check review sites like Claymania.com and Firewall Guide (more on enrgy21.com).

And here again, a TM forum (or product tech support) may have info too.