Using Systemguards Options - McAfee INTERNET SECURITY SUITE 2008 User Manual

44 McAfee Internet Security

Using SystemGuards options

SystemGuards monitor, log, report, and manage potentially
unauthorized changes made to the Windows registry or critical
system files on your computer. Unauthorized registry and file
changes can harm your computer, compromise its security, and
damage valuable system files.
Registry and files changes are common and occur regularly on
your computer. Because many are harmless, SystemGuards'
default settings are configured to provide reliable, intelligent, and
real-world protection against unauthorized changes that pose
significant potential for harm. For example, when SystemGuards
detect changes that are uncommon and present a potentially
significant threat, the activity is immediately reported and
logged. Changes that are more common, but still pose some
potential for damage, are logged only. However, monitoring for
standard and low-risk changes is, by default, disabled.
SystemGuards technology can be configured to extend its
protection to any environment you like.
There are three types of SystemGuards: Program SystemGuards,
Windows SystemGuards, and Browser SystemGuards.
Program SystemGuards
Program SystemGuards detect potentially unauthorized changes
to your computer's registry and other critical files that are
essential to Windows. These important registry items and files
include ActiveX installations, startup items, Windows shell
execute hooks, and shell service object delay loads. By
monitoring these, Program SystemGuards technology stops
suspect ActiveX programs (downloaded from the Internet) in
addition to spyware and potentially unwanted programs that can
automatically launch when Windows starts.
Windows SystemGuards
Windows SystemGuards also detect potentially unauthorized
changes to your computer's registry and other critical files that
are essential to Windows. These important registry items and files
include context menu handlers, appInit DLLs, and the Windows
hosts file. By monitoring these, Windows SystemGuards
technology helps prevent your computer from sending and
receiving unauthorized or personal information over the
Internet. It also helps stop suspect programs that can bring
unwanted changes to the appearance and behavior of the
programs that are important to you and your family.
Browser SystemGuards