Software Update: WinPatrol 9.8.1.0

WinPatrol has just been updated to version 9.8.1.0. In this program ‘Scotty, the Windows watchdog’ keeps an eye on the system, which should make it work faster and more stable. It detects and stops spy, ad and malware, virus attacks, malicious Internet Explorer addons and prevents homepage hijacks. In addition, a number of other things are monitored, including the processes running on the PC, the hosts file and the file extensions. In addition to the free version, there is also a paid one Plus variant which provides access to a database containing extensive information about safe and malicious programs and processes. Version 9.8.1.0 ships with the following release notes:

WinPatrol 9.8.1.0 makes it quicker and easier to detect the good guys from the bad guys!

• Company names are now displayed on every list.
• Full Report has been improved and provides full information available for Services.
• Window management improved so WinPatrol alerts no longer block web sites.

We’ve also closed another common backdoor for Spyware by monitoring the registry key commonly known as AppInit_DLLs (O20).

WinPatrol PLUS now monitors a number of non-tradition Startup locations found in the registry including:

• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad (O21)
  Used by CDBurn, PostBootReminder, SysTray, WebCheck
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler (O22)
  Examples:Browser preloader:UI Library, Component Categories cache daemon
• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ShellExecuteHooks
  Examples:Browser preloader:Shell, Microsoft AntiSpyware Service Hook

In the past we’ve spent more time on serious security issues and have neglected WinPatrol’s cookie management. We’ve cleaned up our act and this version will help you manage your cookies with much better efficiency. For those who don’t really care about cookies our changes will make sure cookie monitoring features don’t slow you down.

WinPatrol has been detecting the recent Sony Rootkit that has been getting a lot of press lately. Scotty will detect a file named $SYS$DRMSERVER.EXE which is an indication that you’ve installed a malicious Sony CD.[break]