Help Contents
StartGuard presents users with a unique solution for
combating spyware. Instead of relying upon spyware
definition to detect threats, StartGuard protects all points of entry used by
spyware to run or install itself. This method allows the user to decide which
programs they will permit to run on their computer.
Find threats missed by your other anti-spyware tools.
Conventional anti-spyware tools use definition files, which contain
information about known threats and how to remove them. If your
computer contains threats or unwanted programs not yet identified by
anti-spyware companies, the threat will pass through your spyware scans
undetected. Furthermore, spyware is always changing, making it difficult for
definition-based anti-spyware tools to detect these changes.
StartGuard solves this problem by allowing the user to
"turn the spyware off". Once turned off, spyware can
not start itself again. By not using spyware definitions, StartGuard is able
to conduct a full system scan on the average PC in under 5 seconds. This
allows for startup scans to become practical, a featured turned on in
StartGuard by default.
A performance boost in Windows loading time and web
browsing speeds should be noticed when using
StartGuard. A typical system has anywhere from 20 to 50 startup items,
services, browser helper objects, .DLL hooks, and other unwanted items that
are not part of the default Windows startup routine. Blocking unwanted items
will cause Windows to load faster and Internet Explorer to work better.
Applying the "HOST Immunization" will block access to over 10,000 sources of
spyware, ads, and tracking cookies, further improving your web browser's
performance.
StartGuard may be used in conjunction with other
anti-spyware software. If you already have another
anti-spyware tool you like, no problem. We have tested StartGuard with most of
the major anti-spyware tools with no known issues.
The Scan Results window displays all the
programs StartGuard has detected that may be spyware. You may block or unblock
these programs as you like. For your convenience, we use a "fingerprint
whitelist" which automatically approves certain programs (such as programs
included in your Windows installation) and services (necessary components of
Windows). Due to our whitelisting algorithms, not all programs and components
are displayed here.
The Options & Tools screen allows you to turn Startup Protection and Real-time
Protection on or off or launch various other tools that pertain to startup
programs and system settings.
- Turn On/Off Startup Protection-
Determines whether your system is scanned for spyware when you start Windows.
If turned off, your system will not be scanned for spyware when you start Windows.
- Turn On/Off Real-time Protection-
Determines whether StartGuard will silently scan
your system in the background for spyware and other threats. If turned on, you
will be alerted of new threats as soon as they are detected. If turned off,
you must run a manual scan or if Startup Protection is turned on, restart Windows
to check for new threats.
- Add/Remove Programs - Launches
the Add/Remove Programs window. Allows you to install or uninstall programs
from your computer.
- Launch Services Manager - Opens
the Services Manager window. Allows you to turn on or off all services
on your computer. You must have Administrator access to use this program.
- Edit Hosts File - Allows you
to add or remove host entries. This file is usually located at
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\hosts for Windows XP Home and
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\hosts for Windows NT, 2000, and XP Professional.
Each line contains an IP mapping instruction that allows you to block inbound
or outbound connections from your computer. Some malware programs add entries
to this file that prevent your anti-spyware tools from downloading updates.
- Create System Checkpoint - Backs
up your system settings files incase you want to restore your computer to its
configuration before you installed StartGuard or before you changed a setting
you want to undo. You must have System Restore enabled for this function
to work.
- Open Registry Editor - Launches
the Windows Registry Editor, allowing your to make manual changes to your system
settings. NB: use this tool with caution. Improper use of this tool
may cause Windows to not function properly.
- Uninstall StartGuard - Easily
uninstall StartGuard and rollback your system settings.
The Protection Settings window allows you to
configure what programs or settings will be checked when you login to
Windows. You may protect your common startup programs, tasks, services
(automatic and manual), browser helper objects ("BHOs"), the MSIE homepage,
the screen saver, the hosts file, Windows shell replacements, memory hooks,
shell extensions, installed components, and the task manager.
For Advanced Users:
If you do not use Windows Explorer as your default Windows
Shell, you may specify the path of your Shell Replacement here (NT/2000/XP
only).
The Event Log shows you
important system settings and all changes StartGuard makes to your computer.
This log is useful for system experts to help diagnose your computer problems
or fixing other startup-related problems. The current Windows version, the
current MSIE version, the current MSIE homepage, all running programs, and
programs approved, blocked, or uninstalled by the user are recorded in this
log.
Immunizes your Windows
HOST file by blocking access to thousands of advertisement and spyware
sources. Use this feature to automatically block over 10,000 sources of ads,
tracking cookies, popups, and spyware from reaching your computer. Blocks
about 90% web page ads, allowing web sites to load faster and reducing the
need for browser cache disk space.
If you are using the Free
Edition of StartGuard, you may use this window to upgrade to StartGuard
Professional Edition. You may also check for and download software updates as
they become available.
 If
you have a question or comment and would like to contact us, you may do so by
E-mailing contact@startguard.net
or by sending your message by using our
contact page. You may
expect a response within one business day.
If your query is regarding
a tech support issue, you may want to consider providing us with:
- The version of Windows
you are running.
- The version of
StartGuard you are running.
- A description of the
problem.
- Screen shots of the
problem.
You may also want to go
copy and paste to us your StartGuard Event Log File, which can be accessed by
going to "View Event Log" on the left menu in the main StartGuard window.
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