Product Support

ActiveDefender User Guide

Step-by-step instructions for using ActiveDefender

7. Security Rules [Security Manager]

Here you will be able to tell your computer exactly what level of access each program has (Program Rules tab), exactly what Internet addresses your computer can communicate with (Internet Address Rules tab), and exactly which ports can be used for sending data (Port Rules tab).

When you control these three things, your system can be safe from hackers and evil corporations.

Three options under Security Rules:
Program Rules, Internet Address Rules, and Port Rules

Program Rules

Under Program Rules, you will see a list of the programs that ActiveDefender has automatically detected trying to access the Internet. You can change the type of access they have by clicking on Allow, Deny, or Alert.

Allow: This program has been given access to the Internet. It will be able to access the Internet without your permission. You may want to set frequently used programs that you trust to Allow (such as Internet Explorer or AOL Instant Messenger).

Deny: Programs that have no business accessing the Internet should be set to Deny. Any program set this way will not be able to send your private data to the outside world. For programs you simply do not trust, set to Deny!

Alert: You might want to grant certain programs access to the Internet, but only after it has asked your permission. Programs set on Alert will need permission to access the Internet every time they try.

Above: Example of the kind of alert message you will get for new programs or programs set on Alert when they try to access the Internet.

Internet Address Rules

You can add or remove Internet Addresses that are not allowed to be accessed from your machine. No program on your computer will be able to access any Internet Address that you have listed here.

Many web sites have more than one Internet Address for a single domain name. All of these corresponding IP addresses are automatically added to the restricted list, once that site is added to the list. Examples: www.hackers.com, amazon.com, 192.168.1.1

Port Rules

You can restrict Internet access over specified port numbers as well. When a program accesses the Internet from your computer, it does so over a PORT. For example, Internet Explorer uses port 80 to transmit data to and from the Internet. Enter the number of the port that you wish to restrict and click on the Add button.

Ports are in the range of 0 to 65535.