System Tools

System Tools refer to tools offering a detailed summary of the AVG Internet Security 2012 environment and the operating system. The component displays an overview of:

Processes - list of processes (i.e. running applications) that are currently active on your computer

Network connections - list of currently active connections

Autostart - list of all applications that are executed during Windows system start-up Browser Extensions - list of plug-ins (i.e. applications) that are installed inside your Internet browser

LSP Viewer - list of Layered Service Providers (LSP)

Specific overviews can also be edited but this is only recommended for highly experienced users!

6.6.1. Processes

The Processes dialog contains a list of processes (i.e. running applications) that are currently active on your computer. The list is divided into several columns:

Severity Level – graphical identification of the respective process severity on a four-levels scale from less important ( ) up to critical ( )

Process name - name of the running process Process path - physical path to the running process Window - if applicable, indicates application Window name

PID - the process identification number is a unique Windows internal process identifier

Control buttons

The control buttons available within the Processes tab are as follows:

Refresh - updates the list of processes according to the current status

Terminate Process - you can select one or more applications and then terminate them by pressing this button. We strongly suggest not terminating any applications, unless you are absolutely sure that they represent a real threat!

Back - switches you back to the default AVG main dialog (components overview)

6.6.2. Network Connections

The Network Connections dialog contains a list of currently active connections. The list is divided into the following columns:

Application - name of the application related to the connection (with the exception of Windows 2000 where the information is not available)

Protocol - transmission protocol type used for the connection:

o TCP - protocol used in conjunction with Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit information over the Internet

o UDP - alternative to TCP protocol

Local address - IP address of the local computer and the port number used

Remote address - IP address of the remote computer and the port number connected to. If possible, it will also look up the host name of the remote computer.

State - indicates the most probable current state (Connected, Server should close, Listen, Active close finished, Passive close, Active close)

To list only external connections, tick the Hide local connections checkbox in the bottom section of the dialog under the list.

Control buttons

The control buttons available within the Network Connections tab are as follows: Terminate Connection - closes one or more connections selected in the list

Terminate Process - closes one or more applications related to connections selected in the list

Back - switches back to the default AVG main dialog (components overview).

Sometimes it is possible to terminate only applications that are currently in the connected state. We strongly suggest not terminating any connections, unless you are absolutely sure that they represent a real threat!

6.6.3. Autostart

The Autostart dialog shows a list of all applications that are executed during Windows system start- up. Very often, several malware applications add themselves automatically to the start-up registry entry.

Control buttons

Remove selected - press the button to delete one or more selected entries. Back - switches you back to the default AVG main dialog(components overview).

We strongly suggest not deleting any applications from the list, unless you are absolutely sure that they represent a real threat!

6.6.4. Browser Extensions

The Browser Extensions dialog contains a list of plug-ins (i.e. applications) that are installed inside your Internet browser. This list may contain regular application plug-ins as well as potential malware programs. Click on an object in the list to obtain detailed information on the selected plug-in that will be displayed in the bottom section of the dialog.

Control buttons

The control buttons available within the Browser Extensions tab are as follows:

Remove selected object - removes the plug-in that is currently highlighted in the list. We strongly suggest not deleting any plug-ins from the list, unless you are absolutely sure that they represent a real threat!

6.6.5. LSP Viewer

The LSP Viewer dialog shows a list of Layered Service Providers (LSP).

A Layered Service Provider (LSP) is a system driver linked into the networking services of the Windows operating system. It has access to all data entering and leaving the computer, including the ability to modify this data. Some LSPs are necessary to allow Windows to connect you to other computers, including the Internet. However, certain malware applications may also install

themselves as an LSP, thus having access to all data your computer transmits. Therefore, this review may help you to check all possible LSP threats.

Under certain circumstances, it is also possible to repair broken LSPs (for example when the file has been removed but the registry entries remain untouched). A new button for fixing the issue is displayed once a repairable LSP is discovered.

Control buttons

The control buttons available within the LSP Viewer tab are as follows:

Hide Windows LSP - to include Windows LSP in the list, uncheck this item. Back - switches you back to the default AVG main dialog (components overview).