Setting Up the Web Browser Shields

You can set up Spy Sweeper to continuously monitor several Internet Explorer (IE) settings. These are settings that some potentially unwanted programs change if you are not protected.

When Spy Sweeper detects attempts to change your Internet Explorer favorites, security settings, browser add-ons, and other settings, it displays an alert.

If the shields are unavailable (dimmed), you may not have access to this function. For more information, see Understanding How Spy Sweeper Works with Multiple User Accounts.

To set up the Web Browser Shields:

Start Spy Sweeper, if it is not already open, and display the main window.
For more information, see Starting Spy Sweeper.
In the icon panel, click Shields.
For information about the Spy Sweeper window, see Understanding the Spy Sweeper Window.
The Shields Summary tab displays, showing a summary of the available shields and their status. For information about the icons in the Shields Summary tab, see Setting Up Continuous Monitoring (Shields).
Click the Web Browser tab.
The Web Browser tab displays.
Select the options you want to use.

Click to see a description of each option.

Option	Description
Web Browser Shields
Tracking Cookies	This option actively watches for known tracking cookies (that are in the Spy Sweeper definitions) as you visit Web sites and removes them. Tracking cookies are cookies that can track your Web activities. These may include cookies that contain user names, passwords, or similar information that you enter on some Web sites.
IE Favorites	This option actively protects your Internet Explorer favorites. Whenever a Web site tries to change your favorites, Spy Sweeper lets you know and gives you the option to accept or reject the change. Some Web sites add entries to your favorites without letting you know. This option ensures that you are aware whenever changes are made. Even if Spy Sweeper is not open when your favorites change, Spy Sweeper will detect the changes and ask you about them when you next start Spy Sweeper.
IE Security	This option actively protects your Internet Explorer security settings (select Tools > Internet Options and click the Security tab). Whenever a program tries to change these settings, Spy Sweeper lets you know and gives you the option to accept or reject the change. Some programs change these options without letting you know. This option ensures that you are aware whenever changes are made.
Browser Helper Object (BHO)	This option actively watches your computer for the installation of Browser Helper Objects (BHOs). Whenever a BHO tries to install itself, Spy Sweeper lets you know and gives you the option to accept or reject the change. BHOs are add-on programs that work with your browser. Some potentially unwanted programs add BHOs without your knowledge. This shield ensures that programs do not add a BHO without you being aware of it. If you have Spy Sweeper with AntiVirus, the virus BHO Shield alerts you whenever a BHO tries to install itself and gives you the option to accept or reject the change.
Edit BHOs Used by Internet Explorer	Editing BHOs is for advanced users. Deselecting BHOs from the list could cause your browser to not work properly or cause your computer to be unstable. Edit with extreme caution. For more information, see Editing BHOs Used by Internet Explorer.
Critical Web Browser Shields
IE Hijack Shield	This option actively protects various Internet Explorer functions, such as the search page, error pages, and other default (automatic) pages that Internet Explorer displays. Whenever a program tries to change these pages, Spy Sweeper lets you know and gives you the option to accept or reject the change. Some programs change ("hijack") these pages without letting you know. This option ensures that you are aware whenever changes are made. Even if Spy Sweeper is not open when these pages change, Spy Sweeper will detect the changes and ask you about them when you next start Spy Sweeper.
Edit IE Hijack Shield Settings	Click to edit the individual IE Hijack Shield settings, including the default (automatic) home and search pages for IE. For more information, see Editing the IE Hijack Shield Settings.