Setting Up the Network Shields

You can set up Spy Sweeper to continuously monitor network communication between your computer and other Web sites. These communication settings are vulnerable to the effects of potentially unwanted programs and viruses and can be changed without your permission if you are not protected. Network Shields block some ads that may display in your browser. They also stop Web sites from sending you to unexpected Web sites.

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 Network 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 panel displays, showing a summary of the available shields and their status.
Click the Network tab.
The Network tab displays.
Select the options you want to use.

Click to see a description of each option.

Option	Description
Common Ad Sites	This option adds known advertising sites to your Hosts file and sets the IP address for those sites to the IP address for your computer. This blocks banner and other advertising from these sites. When you go to a Web site that has advertising from one of the blocked sites, you may see a small graphic that indicates a broken link to a graphic (typically a red x in a box). This just shows where the blocked ad would display. Spy Sweeper updates these sites when you update your definitions.
Internet Communication	This option actively watches for communication from your computer to known Web sites that are related to potentially unwanted programs. Spy Sweeper includes a list of known sites with its definitions. If Spy Sweeper detects an attempt to communicate with a site on the list, it will display a pop-up alert in the system tray (lower-right corner of your screen) telling you that access to the site was blocked.
Hosts File	This option actively watches the Hosts file for any changes. Some programs will add or change the IP address for a Web site in the Hosts file. When you try to go to the added or changed Web site, you will really go to a different Web site, such as an advertising site. This shield ensures that programs do not change an IP address without you being aware of it.
Edit Hosts File	Click to edit the Hosts file. For more information, see Editing the Hosts File.