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slippy4s
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      1st Apr 2008

I was trying to figure out what if any DEP included running prosesses can
be removed without comprimising the computer.

Any Help
Thank You
Slippy
 
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Steve Thackery
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      2nd Apr 2008
Could you rephrase the question?

Data Execution Prevention addresses an inherent shortcoming in the
architecture of most modern microprocessors - that they will treat data like
program memory, and may try to "execute" it. This shortcoming is sometimes
deliberately exploited by malware, but also happens with badly written
software (which you probably don't want on your machine anyway).

So, DEP protects against some types of malware, and protects against some
types of crashes caused by badly written software.

By default DEP is enabled for all the Vista operating system files. You
would be advised to enable it for all programs, although some simply won't
run with DEP enabled (Omnipage Pro 15 is an example on my computer). In
that case, you can add the troublesome executables to the exceptions list.

I'm not sure if this addresses your question. If not, perhaps you could
express it more clearly?

SteveT

 
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slippy4s
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      2nd Apr 2008
Thank you very very much. im sorry I was abit vague .But you answered my
question to a T.
Thank You

"slippy4s" wrote:

>
> I was trying to figure out what if any DEP included running prosesses can
> be removed without comprimising the computer.
>
> Any Help
> Thank You
> Slippy

 
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hermit
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      10th Jun 2008


"Steve Thackery" wrote:

> Could you rephrase the question?
>
> Data Execution Prevention addresses an inherent shortcoming in the
> architecture of most modern microprocessors - that they will treat data like
> program memory, and may try to "execute" it. This shortcoming is sometimes
> deliberately exploited by malware, but also happens with badly written
> software (which you probably don't want on your machine anyway).
>
> So, DEP protects against some types of malware, and protects against some
> types of crashes caused by badly written software.
>
> By default DEP is enabled for all the Vista operating system files. You
> would be advised to enable it for all programs, although some simply won't
> run with DEP enabled (Omnipage Pro 15 is an example on my computer). In
> that case, you can add the troublesome executables to the exceptions list.
>
> I'm not sure if this addresses your question. If not, perhaps you could
> express it more clearly?
>
> SteveT
>
> I'm afraid you're wrong, Steve. When I checked my Vista Home Premium, I found that it was disabled. And a little research uncovered that by default settings

at least in this version, are disabled.


 
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Steve Thackery
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      10th Jun 2008
>> I'm afraid you're wrong, Steve. When I checked my Vista Home Premium, I
>> found that it was disabled. And a little research uncovered that by
>> default settings at least in this version, are disabled. <<


That's funny, I could have sworn that my pristine Vista installation had DEP
enabled for the core Windows files.

In fact, I've just checked the Windows Help and Support page, and it implies
the same thing:

"DEP automatically monitors essential Windows programs and services. You
can increase your protection by having DEP monitor all programs."

Anyway, the rest of what I wrote was correct: DEP is a GOOD THING, and if a
program gets caught by DEP then it is badly written and a potential security
hazard.

Of course, sometimes you've no choice but to run it anyway, but having been
in the electronics and computing field for over 30 years I strongly suggest
that you enable DEP for everything, and then switch it off on an
application-by-application basis if you find you have to.

SteveT

 
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Steve Thackery
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      10th Jun 2008
In fact, I think it's you that's wrong, hermit.

I've just looked at the DEP settings on my PC (Vista Home Premium), and it
appears not to be possible to switch DEP off altogether. The top radio
button says "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only".

I don't know where you did your research, but did you actually look at the
settings box in your own machine? I can't believe it's different from mine.

SteveT

 
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JW
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      10th Jun 2008
Steve apparently your system hardware supports DEP as shown on the bottom of
the DEP screen
And it is possible that hermit's does not which means he would get a
different dialog screen.

"Steve Thackery" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In fact, I think it's you that's wrong, hermit.
>
> I've just looked at the DEP settings on my PC (Vista Home Premium), and it
> appears not to be possible to switch DEP off altogether. The top radio
> button says "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services
> only".
>
> I don't know where you did your research, but did you actually look at the
> settings box in your own machine? I can't believe it's different from
> mine.
>
> SteveT


 
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Steve Thackery
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      10th Jun 2008
> And it is possible that hermit's does not which means he would get a
> different dialog screen.


Ah yes, that's possible. Perhaps he'll let us know.

SteveT
 
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hermit
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      11th Jun 2008


"Steve Thackery" wrote:

> In fact, I think it's you that's wrong, hermit.
>
> I've just looked at the DEP settings on my PC (Vista Home Premium), and it
> appears not to be possible to switch DEP off altogether. The top radio
> button says "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only".
>
> I don't know where you did your research, but did you actually look at the
> settings box in your own machine? I can't believe it's different from mine.
>
> SteveT
>
> Thank you for your replies, Steve and JW. I could have been clearer, so I'll restate: Under Internet Options > Advanced tab >in the Security section there is an option to check a box marked 'Enable memory protection to help mitigate online attacks.' This is greyed out & I can't check to enable it, even though I've right clicked to 'Run as Admin.' Been told to right click on IE7 exe. but can't find it.

When I right click on Internet Explorer, I am redirected / connected to
'hp-desktop.aol.com.' This is one of two DEP locations & is not checked in
my OS.
Can you help me get this section turned on, or does it really matter???
2)
The second location where there are two options, I can change. However,
when I made the change to 'Turn on DEP for all or all programs & services
except those I select,' I get an Error Msg that server can't be found when
using IE or Firefox regardless how many refresh attempts. So I've gone back
to the original setting. I'm concerned that in that setting my comp. isn't
as secure as it could be, but it seems I have no choice.
I hope this clears up my vagueness.
 
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Steve Thackery
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      11th Jun 2008
>>
......there is an option to check a box marked 'Enable memory protection to
help mitigate online attacks.' This is greyed out & I can't check to enable
it, even though I've right clicked to 'Run as Admin.'
<<

Hey, that's fascinating. I've never noticed it before, and it is greyed out
on my machine, too. The Help for it is useless, so I don't know whether
this is another "button" for switching DEP on and off, or something else.

> The second location where there are two options, I can change. However,
> when I made the change to 'Turn on DEP for all or all programs & services
> except those I select,' I get an Error Msg that server can't be found when
> using IE or Firefox regardless how many refresh attempts.


That's strange, because both work fine on my machine, with DEP switched on
for everything. I wonder if you've got any plug-ins for the browsers. They
can definitely cause this kind of problem. If you can isolate it to a
plug-in, I'd disable it and inform the author.

It occurs to me that you could, for now, simply add IE and Firefox to the
"Except..." list.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Perhaps someone who knows more about it
might join in....

SteveT

 
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