• WinPatrol 7.0.1.0
Cleaned up Cookie feature so check marks stay checked
and correct cookies are removed.
Updated cookie message text so it makes more sense.
Fixed bug in monitoring HOSTS files when a time change occurred.
Fix bug reading large history files
Changed text that reported a change in HOSTS file so it makes more sense

• WinPatrol 7.0.0.5
Rearranged Options & PLUS form to fit changes in the french text
Trim off trailing spaces when users enter their name in PLUS dialog.
Fixed bug in Host file monitoring which was always turned on.
Fixed sorting bug in Cookies and Task List

When we introduced WinPatrol 6 we added monitoring and control of so called Browser Helper Objects. Our newest version adds support for Internet Explorer Toolbar objects. You may be surprised to find out what programs have been added to your browser even though it's not obvious.

If you're upgrading from a previous WinPatrol version the first time you run WinPatrol 7.0 you will be asked to confirm a few Toobar Extensions that are found.

We were very proud of our recent review by CNet's Download.com but one of the items they pointed out was that WinPatrol lacked Context Menus that are pretty common and expected by Windows users. Right-Click on any program and see immediately what your options are.

The HOSTS file was intended as a way to speed up internet access but has been a popular way for adware programs to redirect you from your intended location. WinPatrol 7.0 will allow you to lock your HOSTS file and will monitor changes in case some malicious program unlocks and makes changes.

See more information then ever before. While we're still working on a completely resizable window that works on all platforms, WinPatrol 7 provides longer lists and more helpful text.

Our Nuts feature has become a popular way to filter out cookies but we noticed when too many nuts were added Scotty would slow down a little too much. You'll notice anytime you access your cookies the list will come up a lot faster now. The Nuts window is also a little larger to better describe how Nuts work to new users. By popular request we also display cookies pre-sorted so the more recent cookies are on top.

You may like to have WinPatrol positioned in a particular location on your screen. Scotty now remembers where he was so the next time you wake him up the window will be positioned in the same location as last time.

WinPatrol now handles systems with multiple users who may have different Internet Start and Search Pages so this option doesn't need to be turned off by those users.

WinPatrol has always provided an Uninstaller which could be found in the Windows Control Panel's Add/Remove Applet. We've found that this isn't always obvious so you'll now find the WinPatrol Uninstaller listed on the Programs menu.

Now along with PLUS information available to PLUS users, there's a Free Info button to make non-PLUS users aware of the Top Ten Most Unwanted Programs just in case they need help with something really bad.

You'll find we've added a couple "Are you Sure" type messages where mistakes have been made. No more reseting the name and reg code by accident and no removing all cookies without a warning.

More information is available when checking Info on programs on your system. The font will change to make it more obvious when local information is available.
When errors are made entering your name and PLUS code our message will be more useful.

For years nobody noticed that the time we displayed for cookie creation was not local time. It's been fixed!

The version displayed in the program Alert Box, would sometimes be covered.

Fixed sort by version in the Startup Program list

Some video displays would not properly resize text and list boxes so that buttons and PLUS code boxes on certain Windows 2000/XP were not visible.

Additional Text strings were fixed that weren't available in German and French.

We've found many malicious programs come in pairs or more. If you remove one active task, its partner just restarts it and vice versa. The Active Task list now allows you to select multiple tasks and Scotty will instruct Windows to kill all the tasks you highlight. Hold down the CTRL key when clicking on tasks to select multiple items.

Scotty has always been great at alerting you to new programs on your startup list. Now our Windows WatchDog will allow you to Kill a task and remove it from your startup list as one operation. When removing a program from the Startup Programs list, WinPatrol will also check to see if the program currently active and ask if you'd like to Kill the current task along with removing it from the startup list. This will help make virus cleanup much easier for new WinPatrol users.

By popular request the cookie interface now allows two interfaces. As before you can still check the cookies you want to keep and remove the rest in a single operation. Now, you can also check the cookies you want to remove and click "Remove Checked" to help clean up your cookies.

WinPatrol now logs changes you've made to your system using WinPatrol. See the options screen to turn this option on or off.

Included with the ability to view a history of events is an Undo feature. Finally, you don't have to worry about accidently removing a program from your startup programs. When you click on an event that can be restored, the Restore button will be enabled allowing you to return your registry to a previous state.

What was new in WinPatrol 6.0

In their ultimate wisdom Microsoft made it easy to programmers to create Add-On programs to Internet Explorer. These IE Helpers are often called Browser Helper Objects. In most cases, they allow companies to create useful and powerful additions to your browser to enhance its functionality.

Unfortunely, it's also easy for greedy companies to create programs that track your internet usage, force you to pages they want you to view, increase the number of advertisements you're exposed to and other malicious purposes.

WinPatrol will monitor your system and Scotty will alert you if any of these Helpers are added without your knowledge. You'll be given a chance to remove these Browser Helper Objects or find out more about their purpose.

A tool common to Windows is the Windows Task Scheduler. In some versions of Windows this tool is pre-configured to run regular disk maintenance. In Windows XP the Task Scheduler is run as an XP Service program.

We've notice that this tool is often being used to launch Reminder programs that will occasionally remind you to register your software or sign up for an ISP. This tool also could provide a hacker a simple way to launch a virus or worm on a specific date or time.

WinPatrol will also monitor the list of Scheduled Tasks on your system to make sure nothing is scheduled without your permission.

By popular request we've made it possible to create individual sounds for WinPatrol events or alerts. You can use the Control Panel Sounds and Audio Applet to define WAV files for when WinPatrol is opened or when particular alerts occur.

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