ProcessGuard for Windows

Used ProcessGuard for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffNovember 8, 2008

This utility provides competent PC protection, albeit in a different way than antivirus or anti-adware tools do. Rather than scanning your PC to ferret out specific offenders, ProcessGuard blocks all activities typical of malware and Trojan horses at a deep level. The program's interface is handy and requires minimal user configuration. However, you will need to run the utility in learning mode for several hours so ProcessGuard can examine your computer and determine which processes are safe. The application can prevent nefarious programs from reading, modifying, or stopping any application in the memory; disable access to physical memory; and stop unauthorized logging of drivers and services. It also provides additional protection by asking your permission every time a new application attempts to install. Although ProcessGuard demonstrated solid performance in our tests, we can't vouch for some of its more advanced features, which are disabled in this version. Still, the program makes a nice addition to your arsenal of PC-protection programs.

ProcessGuard for Windows

Used ProcessGuard for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: January 18, 2005

Latest update: November 8, 2008

Version: 3.15

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 280,805

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.2/5

39 User Votes

Very useful. Won't go without it. Help manage processes
antonrykheerOctober 16, 2012
Pros
- Low on resources. Does not cause any problems. - Never misses an EXE that has not been approved by YOU. That makes it better than antiviruses in that regard. - The free version does the trick with no limitations on the number of processes it blocks, etc. - Allows you to stop updates from running when you don't want them to. - Allows you to prevent corporate network security from interfering with your technical work environment and work time through their intrusive monitors, installs, etc. - Lets you keep your machine resources low by blocking processes from running when you don't want them to. - Lets you stop processes from running that you never need and that can otherwise not be stopped through operating system configuration settings.
Cons
I've used this for several years now and haven't experienced any real problems witt the app. My only concern is the lack of a professional website and that the DiamondCS website does not seem to promote (or perhaps even sell) ProcessGuard themselves.
Summary
This has really helped me alot over the past number of years on various machines. You'll be amzed at how many processes are kicked off on your machine that you aren't aware of. This helps you to manage what happens on your machine. It not only stops viruses that slipped through, but rather lets you decide what processes you want to allow to run, when you want to. Some of the larger corporate companies I do work for, have very intrusive processes initiated (ad-hoc and scheduled) on my machine. Some related to group policies, but others related to doing inventory scans. The administrators and procedures of these networks also regularly install monitoring apps, self launching applets and promotional material, desktop and screen savers, system reboots, etc over the netowrk - Often with little warning and while you're busy with work. Processguard allows you to stop those processes from executing and if you want, lets you 'allow' those processes to execute next time they are initiated, when it suits you. Same goes for applications checking for updates, etc. * TIP: Don't initially run in 'Learning mode'. Rather google each unknown process as it tries to run for the first time. Make notes of them somwehere. With-in a day or two, you'll have all the unwanted exe's permanently blocked (never requesting to run again) and have a short list of the ones you want to occasionally allow (requesting again and allowing on ad-hoc basis) .. and the ones to always allow (never requesting again). This way you can be sure that nothing passes that should not. With learning mode swithced on initially, you'll be permanently allowing everything (including unwanted exe's) that is already running and only block new requests. You don't want that.
Essential Protection! Firewall Like!
Blade10XJuly 8, 2010
Pros
Very good intrusion protection, protects you from global hooks that are trying to hook on something in your system. Psyhical Memory protection, Windows hosts protection. Rootkit protection and unknown drivers n' services protection.
Cons
Nothing special.
Summary
This program is very similar to Firewall protection with exception that he's not looking on your inbound and outbound traffic. LOL! Excellent combination add-on if you have installed stand alone Antivirus software which has only basic protection and lacks for more protection modules.
good progam
coxtra308January 9, 2009
Pros
helps keep out unwanted trash
Cons
wanted to upgrade to full version but cannot get in contact with them, think they have gone out of buisiness
Summary
Good idea, kind of intrusive
choicefreshAugust 17, 2008
Pros
It catches any processes doing suspicious things, and does a pretty good job.
Cons
It takes quite a bit of memory, occasionally causes crashes, and is not freeware. Some features are disabled. In conclusion, I don't think ProcessGuard is necessary if you have a good antivirus and firewall.
Summary
Too many side effects
momofukuAugust 13, 2008
Pros
Nice idea: in theory. I used the newest v.3.500 for about 3 days until I got sick of it.
Cons
Huge interferrence with Skype: badly distorted talking with echo. Too many extra processes running in the background. Vary hard to uninstall; I had to use 3-rd party registry cleaner to get rid of the leftovers. Not recommended.
Summary
One word... adware!
pulsechaserJuly 15, 2008
Pros
Cons
Downloaded straight from DiamondCS, this cutting-edge technology, whiz-bang program came packed with adware. <p> <p>And no, it doesn't disappear with the program when you uninstall it. It's still trying to install an adware gen every time I boot. <p> <p>Australian company my behind... do not install ProcessGuard or any other DiamondCS software unless you want trouble. Of course, when asked about the adware, DiamondCS have nothing to say. <p> <p>Read the reviews before you install. I learnt my lesson the hard way. DiamondCS, you suck, and now it's on the record.
Summary
Deliverance_FeministMay 1, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
GOOD
michael_malalisApril 28, 2008
Pros
Why did cnet gave a 4-star rating for this?! Eh?!
Cons
Summary
lost money?
yajnaguhyaNovember 20, 2007
Pros
Seems to work fine, but I cannot try the paid version because they do not send the unlock key. <p>A week after the purchase I have not received the unlock key. Help requested through their website is not answered. E-mail through the address provided by them for help comes back with th message "mailbox full".
Cons
See above.
Summary
The next gen in all round protection
nalex133July 24, 2007
Pros
Very light weight, you will hardly know it's there.
Cons
interface very web 1.0, haven't buy a copy yet but I feel the price of $29.95 is to much for a program that dose not have a scanning feature. But I have just said this is the way things are going.
Summary

Developer’s Description

Protect Windows from rootkit Trojan horses and malicious processes.