Winpatrol Plus Questions

[DBone]

I purchased the latest Winpatrol Plus for my W7 x64 Home Premium SP1 machine about 3 months ago. Since then, I have had real time protection enabled / disabled as well as uninstalling / re-installing the program because I just don't feel that it is working as intended.

Settings: All settings are set to real time except; cookies (off), hidden files (off) and scheduled tasks (30min), also real time protection (start at boot) is on.

I am a$$uming that it is working, because if I enable real time monitoring on hidden files, then open Chrome, I get several warnings about hidden files being changed......That's the only warning that I have ever received.

I just installed CCleaner, and chose the option to auto-start, but I never heard a peep (ok, bark) from WPP?? Shouldn't it have warned me of a new auto-start program? Or since I installed this myself, did WPP know that I wanted it to auto-start, so it figured it was ok? Am I expecting more out of this program then it is intended for?

I was expecting WPP to bark several times during the install of a new program, because it changes the registry, auto-start and other items that WPP is supposedly monitoring in real time?

I emailed Bill twice on this but I never received a reply.............Corrine, you're up!!

 

[Corrine]

Hi, DBone.

In addition to real-life family things, Bill's grandson is visiting from Germany, there was a family wedding at his house on Saturday (which included preparations for and the actual event), with the bride and groom evacuated from their hotel due to Irene and now staying with them, even though they have been without power since early Sunday morning. Thus, I think he may be just a bit behind in answering e-mail.

What version do you have installed? The current version is 20.5.2011.0.
What do you have Monitor in Real Time set for Start-up programs?

 

[DBone]

Hi Corrine. I have the latest version installed, and I have "monitor in real time" checked for start up programs. I was thinking that WPP would act like a HIPS, but maybe I was wrong in my assumption?

 

[Corrine]

Just wondering -- please launch WinPatrol and click on the Options tab. Then click on the "Hide Alert Messages" button. What is checked on the Hide Alert Messages window that launches?

 

[FranzB]

Hi DBone,
Why do you want to autostart CCleaner? I never do and it takes no extra effort to do it by "hand"; it is very quick. In addition you then have some control over what you want to wipe and especially over what you want to do re. registry cleaning, i.e. fixing or not fixing invalid registry keys.

 

[DBone]

Just wondering -- please launch WinPatrol and click on the Options tab. Then click on the "Hide Alert Messages" button. What is checked on the Hide Alert Messages window that launches?

"Show all alerts" (for temporary usage) is checked.

Hi DBone,
Why do you want to autostart CCleaner? I never do and it takes no extra effort to do it by "hand"; it is very quick. In addition you then have some control over what you want to wipe and especially over what you want to do re. registry cleaning, i.e. fixing or not fixing invalid registry keys.

I checked it only to test WWP. Sorry, I should have specified that. It is unchecked now.

 

[Corrine]

What other security software do you have installed? There are a couple of programs that interfere with the correct installation of WinPatrol.

Also, when you uninstalled WinPatrol, was it a "normal" uninstall via Programs and Features?

 

[DBone]

avast! Internet Security 6.0.1203, MBAM (on-demand) HMP (on-demand) are the only security apps. MBAM and HMP are both the free editions, with no real time protection. I uninstalled AIS's firewall, and am using W7's firewall. I am using File shield, Web shield and Network Shield in AIS...No Behavior shield. WPP was uninstalled via the start menu short cut "uninstall Winpatrol".

Update: I have had real time protection (start with Windows) disabled in WWP for a while, and have been using it as an on-demand type tool. Today, I decided to enable real time protection (start with Windows) and after about 90 seconds, I received a bark / alert from WPP that a new IE plug-in was discovered (I just installed Silverlight via Windows Update about 3 days ago).............So I guess it is working, but maybe just a little more silently then I was anticipating.


Edit: I also have UAC disabled.

 

[Corrine]

WinPatrol wasn't being silent. If WinPatrol.exe isn't started with Windows, then WinPatrol isn't monitoring your system in real time. WinPatrol is a system monitor, not an "on-demand" type of tool. "Monitor in real time" won't work if Winpatrol.exe isn't running and periodically scanning your system.

WinPatrol.exe is the small component which monitors for changes on your system. This is the program which displays the little Scotty in the system tray and remains running in the background at all times. This component does not require UAC access and should not bring up the UAC prompt.

 

[DBone]

Yea, I knew that what I said would throw you! I had turned off the "start with windows setting" (real time protection) just a couple of weeks ago, but I had it enabled (real time protection on) before that for a couple of months, and that's when I installed CCleaner and got no alert. Real time was on during my "issues". Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Corrine]

Let's try leaving WinPatrol set to start with Windows for a while and see what happens. Generally, on an "established" computer, there are not a lot of notifications, unless the type of person who regularly installs everything new that comes along.

If you do not receive expected notifications with WinPatrol set to start with Windows (i.e., new programs added to start-up, Microsoft Office SP update, etc.), I suggest completely uninstalling WinPatrol as described in my tutorial, Completely Uninstall and Reinstall WinPatrol and then reinstalling it, leaving the default settings for a bit to see what happens.

 

[DBone]

Will do, thanks Corrine! Last and final question, should I receive any warning from WPP when updating existing software like CCleaner, Google Chrome, Auslogics Defrag, MBAM and SlimDrivers? To be clear, these programs are all already on my machine, and I'm only refering to an "over the top" update..............THANKS AGAIN!

 

[Corrine]

No, you should not expect a warning from WinPatrol when updating that software unless the software changes to the extent that it adds and ActiveX control, browser hijack, etc.

 

[DBone]

OK, got it. I was expecting different (not better, just different) behavior. Now I get it!

Thanks so much for your time and effort Corrine, it is very much appreciated!!

 

[Corrine]

You're welcome. I'm always happy to do what I can to help.