|
All versions of Vista include Windows Defender (previously known as Microsoft AntiSpyware) — a utility that works with Internet Explorer and Windows Mail to protect your computer from spyware. The Windows Defender enables you to scan your computer for any type of spyware that might have infected your computer (especially if you use Internet Explorer to subscribe to online services or make online purchases).
To open the Windows Defender window, click Start --> Control Panel --> Security --> Windows Defender.
After the Windows Defender window is open, you can click the Scan button to have Vista perform a quick scan of your computer and report any spyware anomalies.
In addition, you can click the Tools button to display the Tools and Options screen of the Windows Defender. This screen includes the following options:
- Options to open the Options screen, where you can determine when or if automatic scanning takes place, what actions Vista is to take when it locates a potential spyware program, and turn on and off real-time protection (that alerts you right at the time a spyware program tries to install itself), as well as select the software and settings that you want Windows Defender to monitor.
- Microsoft SpyNet, to join the Microsoft SpyNet online community to share information about how Windows Defender responds to suspected spyware programs.
- Quarantined Items, to display all the programs that Windows Defender has quarantined by preventing them from running until you give the approval.
- Software Explorer, to open the Software Explorer window, which displays the classification of all the programs on your computer that Windows Defender monitors. The Software Explorer lets you to remove or just disable start-up programs or programs that are currently running on your computer. In addition, it lets you block incoming connections made to Web sites when Internet Explorer is running. You can also use the Software Explorer to re-enable any programs that you previously disabled.
- Allowed Items, to open the Allowed Items window, which displays all the programs you've allowed despite warnings of their potential spyware status by Windows Defender and enables you to clear particular programs so that the Defender once again monitors them.
- Windows Defender Web site, to open the Windows Defender Home page in Internet Explorer, where you can get more information on stopping spyware as well as updates to the Windows Defender.
|
