THREAT MANAGER Functions

The THREAT MANAGER Interface

The THREAT MANAGER dialog has the following features:

• It displays the number of detected threats and the total number of threat elements that comprise these threats. A threat is potentially unwanted software designed to perform a particular task. The modules, data files, folders and registry entries that comprise threats are called threat elements.
   

• It displays each threat detected and blocked by STOPzilla. A threat is any piece of software deemed to be potentially harmful, or able to interfere with computer usage or compromise performance.
   

• It displays the elements that comprise the threat. Click the icon to the left of the number of Elements Detected. The system displays all threat elements and identifies the nature of each one.

   

  STOPzilla uses the following icons to denote the type of threat element:

   

  Icon	Description
  	File - A file containing executable code which is considered harmful. May also represent data used by a threat like an HTML file, graphic, or other resource.
  	Registry Entry - These store configuration information used by a threat.
  	Folder - A container of files on disk.

• It indicates the type of threat. To the right of the name of the threat, STOPzilla indicates the threat type. Threats are categorized by STOPzilla as follows:

   

  Threat	Description
  Spyware	Programming that is installed in a computer to gather information about the user secretly and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties; generally, any potentially unwanted software that could disrupt computer usage,installed without the user's knowledge. Spyware can get into a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program.
  Adware	Advertising components that are installed on a user's computer at some Web sites, "shareware" products (and sometimes, legitimately purchased commercial software.) Typically, Adware takes the form of pop-up ads that appear while the user is surfing.
  Hijacker	A Trojan that alters the settings of a browser to change the user's Homepage. It can also alter a search page, Favorites menu, and system registry. Sometimes, hijackers act like Spyware.
  RAT Tool	Remote Access Trojan: Malicious software packages  that attempt to gain complete control over computer systems. These programs, (sometimes called Backdoor Software) are sometimes attached to Trojan Horses, viruses, worms, and Spyware. If a system is infected, there is virtually no limit to what these programs can do.
  Dialer	Software programs that install themselves to a user' dial-up settings and dial numbers without the user's knowledge. Once dialer software is downloaded, the user is disconnected from his/her Internet service provider, another phone number is dialed and the user is billed for the time used. Dialers are malicious in nature and can rack up expensive and unwanted bills.
  Worm	A self-replicating virus that does not alter files but resides in active memory and duplicates itself. Worms use parts of an operating system that are automatic and usually invisible to the user. It is common for worms to be noticed only when their uncontrolled replication consumes system resources, slowing or halting other tasks.
  KeyLogger	A hardware device or software program that records each keystroke typed on a particular keyboard, for report back to another party. Often used to record personal data for identity theft.
  Virus	A program or programming code that replicates by being copied or initiating its copying to another program, computer boot sector or document. Some viruses are benign or playful in intent and effect; some can be harmful, erasing data or causing the user's hard disk to require reformatting.
  Downloader	A Spyware application whose sole purpose is to enable other Spyware to be installed continually on the user's computer.

• It indicates the severity of the threat. Next to each threat, STOPzilla displays a severity scale indicating the severity of the threat. For details, please see: Spyware Severity.
   

• It enables the user to take a variety of actions against each threat. For each threat, the user can use the a drop-down list to take one of the following actions:
   

• Allow: Select Allow to prevent STOPzilla from blocking this threat. Occasionally, STOPzilla blocks material deemed questionable that the user opts to receive.
   

• Keep Blocking: Select Keep Blocking to leave this threat in quarantine, where it can do no harm.
   

• Remove: Select Remove to delete the threat and all threat elements that comprise it.
   

• It enables the user to filter the view of the (potential) threats. Options are:
   

• Show Blocked Threats only: Display all threats that the user has chosen to block
   

• Show All Threats: Display all threats that the user has chosen to block as well as those the user has chosen to allow.
   

• Show Allowed Threats only: Display all threats that the user has chosen to accept. That is, prevent STOPzilla from blocking because the user wants pop-ups or other information from this company or Web site.
   

• It enables the user to dispose of threats individually. For each threat, select Allow, Keep Blocking or Remove, as appropriate. Click PERFORM ACTION. STOPzilla performs the action at once.

Action Log

The Action Log displays all actions the user has taken in the THREAT MANAGER dialog.

It indicates which threats have been removed, allowed (restored) or blocked and left in quarantine, and shows totals. Next to each threat is an icon indicating the nature of the threat. For details, please see: Threat Icons.

The Action Log is read-only. Click CONTINUE to return to the THREAT MANAGER dialog.