Software-Windows; Anti-Spyware; Anti-Virus - Extreme Networks Sentriant AG Software User's Manual

Tests Help
Software—Windows
The Software tests verify that any endpoint attempting to connect to your system meets your specified
software requirements. Installing the most recent version of your software helps protect your system
against exploits targeting the latest vulnerabilities.

Anti-spyware

Description. This test verifies that the endpoint attempting to connect to your system has anti-spyware
tools installed and that the anti-spyware definitions are up-to-date.
Test Properties. Select the anti-spyware software allowed on your network. Any endpoint that does not
have at least one of the anti-spyware software packages selected will fail this test. You can also enter a
value in the Last scan performed within text field, which requires the anti-spyware software to have
executed a scan on the endpoint within the set number of days.
How Does this Affect Me?. Spyware is software that gathers and transmits information (about the user,
computer, and/or network) without the user's knowledge. It is usually installed without the user's
knowledge through seemingly harmless downloads such as freeware, shareware, instant messages, and
email attachments. Spyware is intentionally difficult to detect and remove. Those who create and release
spyware don't want you to know it's there or be able to easily uninstall it. The information gathered
can be exploited for mischief, for financial gain, and for gaining unauthorized access to your network.
Spyware also consumes system resources and can cause system instability and crashes.
What Do I Need to Do?. Make sure you have an anti-spyware program installed, that the spyware
definitions are kept up-to-date, and that your system is scanned often.

Anti-virus

Description. This test verifies that the endpoint attempting to connect to your system has the latest anti-
virus software installed, that it is running, and that the virus definitions are up-to-date.
Test Properties. Select the anti-virus software allowed on your network. Any endpoint that does not
have at least one of the anti-virus software packages selected will fail this test.
How Does this Affect Me?. Anti-virus software scans your computer, email, and other files for known
viruses, worms, and trojan horses. It searches for known files and automatically removes them. A virus
is a program that infects other programs and files and can spread when a user opens a program or file
containing the virus. A virus needs a host (the program or file) to spread.
A worm is a program that can also perform malicious acts (such as delete files and send email);
however, it replicates itself and does not need a host (program or file) to spread. Frequently, worms are
used to install a backdoor (a way for an attacker to gain access without having to login).
A trojan horse is a stand-alone program that is not what it seems. For example, it may seem to be
calendar program, but when you open it, it erases all your files and displays a message, such as "Ha ha,
I deleted your files!" Trojan horse programs do not spread or replicate themselves.
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Sentriant AG Software Users Guide, Version 5.3