Hide Alert Messages

[sly]

I have just started using Winpatrol Plus, the pay version. I had to do a Microsoft update and got the alert from Winpatrol and allowed it with no problem. I am a little worried about when I have to do a lot of updates. I noticed under options the <Hide Alert Messages> the options to <Hide and allow Run Once programs used by updates>. If I check this would it allow Microsoft Updates to run without getting alerts from Winpatrol? How about installing programs like my antivirus Avast? Would this allow malware to run? I do not have much problem with malware and want to reduce pop ups. Any information you can give me about this option would be helpful, I could not find much doing a google search. Thanks sly

[Corrine]

Hi, sly.  Welcome to LandzDown.

Yes, "Hide and allow Run Once programs used by updates" is one of the settings.  Another is "Start Program Removed Detection" which will provide an alert if the version is being updated, which results in replacing the startup version.  See the example of "Start Program Removed Detection" in WinPatrol 2012, v25 Released!.

Personally, I want to know what changes are being made on my computer so even when installing security updates I let WinPatrol PLUS monitor the changes.

As to definition updates by Avast, you should not be receiving an alert when that occurs.

[sly]

Hi Corrine, you saying it would be better to leave this unchecked. I worry about things like Microsoft updates not getting installed properly when a pop up has to be checked before going forward, you are saying I am worried about nothing and just live with the pop ups? On Avast I was talking about doing a clean install of a new version, not the daily updates which are getting done with no problem and no pop ups from Winpatrol. I want to make things as simple as possible but also secure as possible. Your opinion on this is, leave the <Hide and allow Run Once programs used by updates> unchecked for better security. Thanks I will give this a try, sly.

[sly]

Sorry, forgot to add, I have not tried installing a new version of Avast yet. I was just wondering about if I would get a pop up and would it give me any trouble but from your answer I get that every thing should go ok on a clean install of an antivirus. Thanks sly

[Corrine]

Hi, Sly.

It is personal choice.  Sure, I get a WinPatrol alert when I'm installing Microsoft Security Updates.  It doesn't bother me in the least that I'm being notified about the change and a quick glance at the WinPatrol alert for confirmation and I click allow.  The reason I leave those options checked while installing updates is because I wouldn't want to forget to re-enable the alerts after completing the updates.  One of the things trojans like to do is disable antivirus software and I'm not taking a chance of being unaware of a drive-by attempting that. 

You should get a WinPatrol alert when you install a new version of Avast.  All you need to do is click OK when you get the alert.  Note the wording of the alert I received.  WinPatrol didn't prevent the uninstall.  Rather it notified me that it occurred so that I could take steps if it was malicious rather than intentional.

[sly]

Corrine, thanks for the information. Just want to keep things as simple as possible as I see people have problems when they try to have to much going on at the same time on a computer. But it is also about security and you make a good point. I will leave it the way you have it, thanks sly

[Corrine]

You are very welcome, Sly.  I hope you enjoy the additional benefits of WinPatrol PLUS.