Spyware - General

From BillP Studios, creators of WinPatrol:

On Tuesday, August 9th BillP Studios will be making two official announcements.

One will be in the form of a press release announcing the results of independent testing done which showed WinPatrol able to "detect 100% of the top spyware threats on a Microsoft Windows based PC."

The 2nd announcement will be the release of WinPatrol 9.7. This new version increases the number of Startup program locations which are monitored and protected by Scotty. Some more advanced features will only be available for PLUS members who generally have a better understanding of some of the undocumented startup locations.

For a sneak peek at WinPatrol 9.7, you can read what will be new at http://www.winpatrol.com/upgrade97.html and even download our latest beta release.

As always, thank you to everyone who has supported our development over the years by not only spreading the news about Scotty but also providing their friendship.

Bill

Source Link

[New Startup Locations Monitored]

Official WinPatrol release of version 9.7

Increased protection abounds in the latest version of WinPatrol:

New Startup Locations Monitored
WinPatrol has expanded the number of locations monitored as auto-run setup programs. The Spyware and Adware slime have found some of those undocumented locations in Windows and Scotty will now check them as well.

More.......

New PLUS Startup Locations Monitored
WinPatrol has also expanded auto-startup locations internal to windows and more likely to be modified by experienced WinPatrol users.

More.......

Less Frustration for repeating threats
Many threats come in pairs so that as soon as you remove one program another one just recreates it. The results have been repeated warnings by Scotty over and over again. WinPatrol now recognizes repeat offenders and offers alternate solutions to help users remove the stubborn infiltrations.

Buffer Overflow Security Added
WinPatrol 9.7 now uses newly developed Windows text functions provided by Microsoft to protect developers from security threats caused by hackers taking advantage of possible buffer overflow flaws.

Bug Fixes and minor enhancements

• Fixed text placement in File Type alert
• Fixed File Type monitoring error when using Explorer to modify some file types.
• Improved R.I.D. compatibility with other registry intensive programs. [/list:u]
  
  Full Read @ WinPatrol
  
  Real-time Infiltration Detection is a system developed by BillP Studios to provide immediate detection of newly installed programs. This technology was created to allow real-time detection without impacting system performance.
  
  While there are many programs which provide real-time detection they suffer from two problems:
  
  
  • System hooks and API spying slows down normal computer operation. Some programs may inhibit normal activity more than the adware it protects you from.
  • Traditional programs rely on definitions of known threats to your system. WinPatrol with R.I.D. will detect any change to required infiltration points. [/list:u]
    
    The methodology behind R.I.D is based on particular events which occur when programs try to execute or infiltrate your system. Manually editing the registry or changing program options may not trigger a R.I.D. alert but infiltrations by 3rd party programs will. This way you'll enjoy optimal performance during your normal computing tasks but Scotty will still wake up when significant changes have been made.
    
    To verify that our new methodology was sufficient we contracted with an independent tester. Each of the following programs were installed on a fresh machine to make sure that WinPatrol with R.I.D. would detect the infiltration in real-time.
    
    Test Results

[9.7.0.4]

August 11th

WinPatrol v9.7.0.4

Minor Updates

• Corrected title for WinLogon in Startup Programs, previously listed as WinLogin.
• Fixed bug reading some history files.[/list:u]
  
  WinPatrol Upgrade Link

[v9.7.0.9]

August 13th

WinPatrol v9.7.0.9
Minor Updates in this version:

• Corrected error monitoring sysfiles between Admin and Limited Accounts
• Fixed bug creating WinPatrol Appdata folder.
• Returned to original setup/install program.
[/list:u]

Update Link & Features

[v9.7.0.18]

August 23 2005

WinPatrol v9.7.0.18

Minor Updates

• Fixed Autorun option for WinPatrol monitor on Options tab.
• Fixed another reason for crashes while reading history file[/list:u]
  WinPatrol

[9.7.0.21]

August 31 2005

9.7.0.21

Minor Updates

• Corrected Initialization error forcing new users to verify every program.
• Corrected garbage appearing in new program alert dialog for program name.[/list:u]
  
  WinPatrol

[v9.7.0.22]

August 31 2005

WinPatrol v9.7.0.22

Minor Updates  

• Corrected Initialization error forcing new users to verify every program.
• Corrected garbage appearing in new program alert dialog for program name.
• Initialize new Startup entries monitored by PLUS users[/list:u]
  
  WinPatrol

[WinPatrol 9.7.3]

WinPatrol 9.7.3
New Protections!        Improved Removal!

More Intuitive Especially for New WinPatrol Users

PLUS members now enjoy special benefits!

• Access to our online knowledgebase
• New startup protections
• Our new ground breaking Real-time Infiltration Detection.[/list:u]
  
  9.7.3 Improvements:
  
  
  • Improved handling of repeating infiltration so instead of multiple alerts
  • WinPatrol will disable intruders and provide user help.
  • File Type association now differentiates between system and explorer file type associations.
  • Fixed Repeating alerts for new WinInit.ini files when not rebooting.
  • WinPatrol periodically will clean up old run registry entries.
  Improved dealing with Run programs launched by RUNDLL32.EXE
  
• Improved new Services detection for Services launched by svchost.exe.
• System File Change Alert changed to top most and sound alert added like other alerts.
• Updated Taskbar icon addition in hopes of resolving a Windows bug on some isolated systems. [/list:u]
  
  Download WinPatrol v9.7.3

New Version WinPatrol 9.7.3.1

Well, it has been a much better release than the last one but I have tweaked a few things thanks to your comments.

• Scotty still wanders around the taskbar but his re-establishment is now every 30 minutes.
• The main reason for the new version is because PLUS members using Win9x machine weren't seeing all the new startups.
• I've also corrected the TOP window issue so Scotty won't try to hog the screen all the time when he's open. [/list:u]
  
  WinPatrol

[Automatic Removal of Multi-File Infiltrations]

WinPatrol 9.7.4
Automatic Removal of Multi-File Infiltrations

Our previous version has been scoring 100% on detection, so we've been working hard improving removal of stubborn programs. The most annoying infiltrations install with multiple files which when removed are restored and replaced by their partners. These methods will defeat many traditional AntiSpyware and AntiVirus programs. WinPatrol will detect repeat infections and automatically disable them providing users with the help they need.

• New detection of serious new threats provides automatic removal of multiple infections
• Fixed: "is" was missing from a text message in the Info dialog
• Fixed: In some cases the Disabled Startup folder was created in the root directory. [/list:u]
  
  WinPatrol Update Info
  
  Download WinPatrol