Day-to-Day Use

Once you have DefenseWall up and running, please take a moment to read the topics in the FAQ chapter. The information found there is useful, particularly, Installing Software.

You have already added any other threat gateway applications you are using that may not be on the Default Untrusted list, by following the instructions in Setup & Preferences. Now, we'll explain how easy it is to go about using your computer every day with DefenseWall.

DefenseWall identifies applications and processes in two ways:

DefenseWall considers all applications that interact with the internet to be Untrusted threat gateways and new applications and files that you view or download via these threat gateways to be Untrusted also, for maximum safety.

Your browser, email client, media player, IM/chat, P2P client, download manager, etc. (from known, reputable sources) are trustworthy application files, in and of themselves, from the author or vendor. However, because they connect to the internet, these threat gateways are considered Untrusted applications while running.

You have downloaded Firefox Browser from Mozilla.org. Being a trustworthy author/vendor and the file itself trustworthy, install it as Trusted.

However, it must run as Untrusted when it connects to the internet because a Browser is a threat gateway. After installation, go to Untrusted Applications - Add - Add from Built-in list - Apply!

If you consider a file or application you want to install to be itself fully Trusted, it must be installed as Trusted. Quick method: use the Windows Explorer Context Menu - Run as trusted.

Check the Default Built-in Untrusted database, if it's there, go to the Untrusted Applications tab - Add - Add from built-in list.

If it is a typical threat-gateway but not in the Default Built-in Untrusted database, go to the Untrusted Applications tab - Add - Add application. The Windows directory will open; navigate to the location of the program; select the program executable file (.exe) - Open - Apply!

To install a downloaded application that runs locally on your computer that is fully trusted and not considered a threat gateway, please see the Installing Software topic. (Quick method: use the Windows Explorer Context Menu - Run as trusted.)

If you want to use a downloaded, non-installing executable file or portable application (non-install) which is fully trusted and is not a threat-gateway type application, remove it from the Untrusted Applications List or use the Windows Explorer Context Menu - Run as trusted - each time you wish to start it.

If that non-install application or file is a threat-gateway (browser, email client, IM/chat, media player, P2P client, download manager, Reader, etc.), just start it - it will run Untrusted.

Compressed files (zip, rar, etc) and contents are automatically Untrusted. Follow the above procedures after extracting.

After selecting actions to perform, click the Apply button which is now active.

DefenseWall considers applications and files received/downloaded via Untrusted threat gateways to be potentially harmful and sets them as Untrusted and, as is, they cannot harm your system.

DefenseWall automatically adds them to the Untrusted Applications List.