Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started is simple. We have preloaded this software with the settings you will most likely want enabled to prevent your computer from being infected with spyware.

Because the Sentinel definition files are updated frequently, the first thing you should do is click the Live Update button to check for new definitions. This will automatically update your spyware and adware defintions so that you are protected against the largest number of spyware and adware applications possible.

If there is a new set of definitions available the program will restart to load the newest definitions.

All that is left to do now is to run a scan for adware and spyware.

The status area displays information about this program, including the version number, definition file number, the number of Adware/Spyware applications it protects you against, the number you have removed, and the date your last scan was completed.

Click the Scan Now button to scan your computer for adware/spyware. You will be brought to the Scan section of the program, which will be empty before you start your scan:

To start the scan, click the Start button.

To pause the scan at any time, click the Pause button.

To stop the scan before it finishes, click the Stop butotn.

Any threats that are discovered will be shown in the scan status window:

When the scan is finished the Continue button will appear.

You will then be presented with a list of threats that were found on your computer. Check the box next to each one you would like to remove from your system.

You can use the Select All button to check every entry in the list automatically.

To remove the threats you have checked off, click the Remove Selected button.

Any threats that are deleted will also be backed up to the Quarantine folder in the directory that you installed this program in.

If you would like to exclude specific entries from being detected in future scans, check off their entry in the list and then press the Exclude button.

You have four options that essentially control how the System Sentinel will operate:

Scan Options

We recommend leaving all of the scan options enabled at all times

Scan Running Processes
Running processes are programs that are open on your computer. If adware or spyware is currently running on your computer it will be detected by scanning running processes.

Scan Windows Registry
Many spyware and adware programs place entries into your system registry that allow them to be executed when you turn on your computer, or track information about you. If these registry entries are present on your computer they will be detected.

Scan Internet Cookies
Many websites track personal information using cookies. Most cookies are harmless, but some are used to track your browsing habits and target you with advertising, or store personal information without your consent. If these cookies are present on your computer they will be deleted.

Save Scan Results to Log
This option will allow you to view a log of your scans using the View Log button.

Proactive Protection

Auto-Protect
Auto-Protect continuously monitors your system memory in search of threats. Some threats can cause harm to your computer just seconds after running, so enabling Auto-Protect is an important step to stopping those threats dead in their tracks.

If a threat is detected you will be alerted automatically, and you will be given the option to stop the threat from running. We recommend performing a system scan immediately afterwards to remove any files or registry entries that the threat may have created.

Home Page Hijack Protection
Many spyware and adware programs will attempt to change your Internet Explorer Home Page and direct you to another site. Their motiviation might be to get you to download new adware/spyware, display ads to bring in revenue, or direct you to a webpage that pays them for web traffic. Enabling Home Page Hijack Protection will allow us to alert you whenever your homepage changes, and allow you to choose whether or not to allow that change to be made.

Run at Windows Startup
Enabling this option will allow this program to run automatically whenever you turn on your computer. We recommend leaving this option checked all the time.

Schedule

You can schedule scans to run automatically using the schedule section of the program.

To start a new scheduled scan, check the Enable Scheduled Scans checkbox.

Next, select an item from Run On list.

To choose a particular day of the week select the day in the list

To run scans daily, select the "Daily" option.

To choose a particular date and time, select the "Date/Time" option. Then select a date and time for the scan to be run.

When you are finished, click the Apply button.

To reset your changes, press the Reset button.

Keep in mind that you must leave the program open, or minimized in the task bar, in order for scheduled scans to run, and your computer must be turned on.

Auto Update

Enabling Auto Update allows your computer to periodically run Live Update and ensure that you always have the most recent definition files available. Definition files are updated as new threats emerge, and we recommend that you leave this option checked all the time.

You can view your most recent scan log by clicking the View Log button. After each scan a log is created that serves as a record of the activity. It provides you with details of the scan, how many items were scanned, and the locations that threats were located. A sample scan log is provided below:

********************************************************************
Scan Report.
********************************************************************
-----------------------
Scan Started at : 5/25/2006 5:44:57 PM
Scan Finished at : 5/25/2006 5:51:30 PM
-----------------------


1)Total Number of Cookies inspected ----------> 24
2)Total Number of Processes inspected ------> 50
3)Total Number of Registry entries inspected ----->22825
4)Total Number of Files/Folders inspected ->29520


[Registry Entries Detected]
-------
SOFTWAREargains


[Files Detected]
-------
C:WINDOWSsystem32instsrv.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32system32:gszalvf.dll
C:WINDOWSsystem32WINDOWS_SYSTEM_SYSTEM32:gszalvf.dll

=====================End Of Report.

Clicking the live update button will automatically connect to our server to check for the newest threat definition files. We are constantly updating these definition files as new threats emerge. You can also enable Auto Update in the settings area so that the program will automatically check for updates.