Auto Start Enforcers

Auto Start enforcers detect and analyze any attempts to change settings that control the automatic loading of software applications. The enforcers compare these changes with those that would be made by potentially malicious software and known malicious software. If the program added is known to be safe, the enforcer will allow it. If it is a known or potentially malicious application, STOPzilla detects it, blocks it, quarantines it, and alerts you if the appropriate enforcer is enabled.

The following are the Auto Start enforcers: Run Keys, Startup Folders, and Bootable Files. They are enabled by default. It is recommended that you leave the default settings.

You can click on the Summary, Settings, and Quarantine tabs or the Browser, Network, System, or Run Time sub-tabs within the illustration below to view the contents of each tab or sub-tab.

Run Keys

Monitors run keys in your registry to detect malicious interference and prevent any changes to keys.

Run keys are Windows registry entries that store paths to applications on your computer. Applications listed in any run keys are loaded automatically when Windows starts.

Startup Folders

Monitors executables and shortcuts to executables to prevent malicious executables from being added to your startup folders.

Startup Folders may contain executable files or links to executable files. Applications listed in startup folders are loaded automatically when Windows starts.

Bootable Files

Prevents malicious entries from being added to your initialization files (win.ini and system.ini files.)

The Microsoft Windows initialization file is located at C:\windows\win.ini. Win.ini is used to load various settings each time Windows starts. Communications drivers, wallpaper, screen saver, languages, and fonts are loaded each time win.ini is initialized. In the case of malicious interference, Windows will not load, or will load incorrectly.

Click Restore Default to revert the system to the original manufacturer's settings.