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AppGuardian

AppGuardian is a security service that works alongside our antivirus & monitoring services to prevent unauthorized programs from running on your computer. It helps protect your device from cyberattacks that target traditional defenses by managing which programs have access to your system. AppGuardian learns your typical software usage and blocks any unfamiliar applications, ultimately reducing the risk of malware infections and unauthorized activity.

1

What is AppGuardian?
AppGuardian is a security service that adds an extra layer of protection to your computer, working hand-in-hand with our existing antivirus software. Think of it like a dedicated security guard for your device. It closely watches which programs try to run and stops any unfamiliar or unapproved ones before they can cause harm.

2

Why is it Important?
Recent cyberattacks often find ways around traditional defenses. Attackers might trick you into downloading a harmful file or running a hidden program that secretly gains extra control over your computer—this is known as “privilege escalation.” By managing exactly what can and can’t run on your machine, AppGuardian drastically reduces the risk of these attacks, safeguarding both your personal work and our company’s data.

3

How Does It Work?
1. Automatic Setup: We install AppGuardian on your computer remotely—no action needed from you.

2. Learning Mode (First 3 Weeks): For the first 3 weeks, AppGuardian quietly observes which programs and files you normally use. This helps it understand what’s “normal” for your day-to-day tasks.

3. Secured Mode: After it learns your routines, AppGuardian locks down your computer, allowing only the usual, approved programs to run. Anything new or unexpected is blocked until we review and approve it.

Imagine receiving an email that appears to be from a trusted colleague whose account was compromised. You might click a link, not realizing it leads to harmful software designed to take control of your computer. In many cases, this could be a serious threat. With AppGuardian in place, however, the suspicious program won’t even launch. AppGuardian stops it right away, preventing the attack before it can start.

4

Auto-Elevation for Approved Updates
Many business tools (like Sage or AutoCAD) need regular updates. If these updates are on our approved list, AppGuardian will let them run and grant them the permissions they need—no call to IT required.

5

What If Something Is Blocked That You Need?
If you see a pop-up in the corner of your screen, it means AppGuardian stopped something it didn’t recognize. You can:

  • Request Access: Ask our team for help. We’ll check if it’s safe and, if so, allow it.
  • Don’t Show Again: If you’re sure you never need that software, this hides future notices. But use this option carefully—if something suddenly stops working and you don’t see an alert, it could be because it’s been quietly blocked.
6

Temporary Learning Mode for Troubleshooting
If we need to figure out why something isn’t working—perhaps you use specialized tools or commands—we can briefly return your computer to Learning Mode to help solve the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What happens during the initial 3-week Learning Mode?

    AppGuardian silently observes your regular program usage to learn what's considered 'normal' for your everyday tasks. This helps it identify and block any unexpected or potentially harmful software later on.

  • How does AppGuardian prevent malicious software from running?

    By comparing programs attempting to run with its established 'normal' usage patterns, AppGuardian blocks anything unfamiliar or unapproved, preventing potential threats from gaining access to your computer.

  • What should I do if AppGuardian blocks a program I need?

    If you encounter a pop-up notification indicating a blocked program, you can either request access from our team for verification, or choose 'Don't Show Again' if you're certain you won't need that program in the future. However, be cautious with the 'Don't Show Again' option as it may inadvertently block necessary programs if you're not careful.

  • Can I temporarily switch back to Learning Mode if I'm having issues?

    Yes, if you're experiencing problems with certain tools or commands, our team can temporarily return your computer to Learning Mode to help troubleshoot the issue.

  • How does AppGuardian handle approved updates for business tools?

    AppGuardian automatically grants necessary permissions and allows approved updates from business tools like Sage or AutoCAD to run smoothly without requiring manual intervention from the IT department.