by Dale Farris, President, Golden Triangle PC Club
December 2001

Program Overview

SoftClan Integrity 2 (v. 2.5) works in conjunction with anti-virus programs. As any savvy computer user knows, the mere installation of an anti-virus program is just the first step toward protection against computer viruses. Computer users must be diligent about regularly updated their anti-virus programs, in order to keep up with all the ongoing new viruses released around the world. At the time of this writing, the latest update to my anti-virus program protected my machine against 58,371 different viruses.

You would be wrong to think you were fully protected against viruses just because you installed an anti-virus program. You must learn how your particular anti-virus program's update feature works, and routinely activate this feature. I check the update with my anti-virus program daily, and 3 out of 7 days a week I download and install a new update that includes protection against new viruses.

Also note that the anti-virus programs that come installed on newly purchased machines almost always need immediate updating, and in most cases, these programs that come packaged with new systems are demo, or trial versions. Once the trial period ends, you will need to purchase the fully functional, licensed version, and begin your regular updating.

Consider all the new viruses that your anti-virus program doesn't yet know about. What happens between regular anti-virus updates? In these situations, a computer and its data are vulnerable. What can you do to protect the system in these interim situations?

To the rescue comes SoftClan Integrity 2. This neat utility presents a solution for Windows 95/98/Me that protects and guarantees the integrity and well functioning of a computer so it will remain healthy and stable. SoftClan Integrity 2 also protects critical system files from changes due to accidents, malicious manipulation, as well as the dreaded computer viruses.

While Integrity 2 doesn't replace an anti-virus program (it doesn't identify and remove viruses), it does what most all anti-virus programs do NOT do. Integrity 2 protects a system from being harmed by viruses when a computer is most vulnerable -- the time between anti-virus updates and when unknown viruses attempt to do harm to the system. Integrity 2 is therefore an ideal complement to anti-virus programs to keep your system safe and secure.

In addition, SoftClan Integrity 2 is completely administrable through an easy-to-use interface, and the on-the-fly protection and monitoring process is absolutely transparent and does not alter the operation or speed of the system at all.

Included Features

DISABLE the registry editing tools

DENY access to some or all applets in the control panel

KEEP critical system files, such as: Config.sys, Autoexec.bat, Executables, DLLs, Drivers, etc, from being altered or removed

STORE automatically in a "shielded" folder backup copies of your personal files, such as documents, images, databases, spreadsheets, etc.

Advantages of Using Integrity 2

Integrity 2 is the ideal complement to any anti-virus program, because it avoids the destructive action of any malicious virus (known or unknown) over the critical system files.

Integrity 2 will NOT allow your critical system files, or personal files stored in the "shielded" folder to be deleted or altered, either by accident or due to rogue applications, installers, uninstallers or a careless user.

Personal files will be periodically and automatically copied or stored in the "shielded" folder. Once moved there, these files will be kept totally protected from any risk of deletion or alteration.

Files critical to system operation will always be safe and will not be replaced by older versions.

All installed devices in your system will work correctly, because the drivers for these devices will not be removed, replaced or changed in the system configuration.

The system Registry will be modified and updated automatically only by applications and never manually by users.

All protection settings established with SoftClan Integrity 2 can be exported or imported to or from any computer or server to or from the different workstations, making easy the task of defining specific protection levels for different working groups.

No new programs or applications will be able to be freely installed on the system.

No new programs or applications will be able to be freely downloaded from Internet.

Basic Functions

Operating this neat program is quite intuitive, and the access is driven by the user-friendly interface. The online user manual is of great help in better understanding the features of this useful, and very important application. However, note the above mentioned features. This program will integrate itself into the operating system of a computer, depending on what you tell it to do, so keep this in mind, as you go about all your other work with the computer once it has been protected by Integrity 2.

Targeted Customers

SoftClan Integrity 2 is primarily of interest to private computer users with an Internet connection, small to medium companies, independent PCs with especially sensitive data (like lawyers, notaries, personnel), and stand-alone systems. In high security offices, this program could easily be considered a must, as the concern for security is very high in such areas as law enforcement, the practice of law, or any other highly secure operation where the privacy of personal information may be driven by prescriptive legal requirements.

In any networked environment that still supports older, Win 9.X operating systems, Integrity 2 will be an essential tool network administrators will want to seriously consider, especially if they will not be migrating their system to a Win 2000 or Win XP Professional environment until long into the future. This handy tool will help them add the necessary level of control over their computers with these legacy operating systems.

Some User Concerns

In some corporate environments, the use of this program may actually not be allowed, since office workstations in networked environments usually must be accessible to information systems management. So, individual desktop users of networked machines in these corporate environments are urged to be sure to FIRST obtain the authorization and approval from the IS folks BEFORE you install and begin to use the features in this program. If you don't, and it is later realized that some files are not accessible, then don't be surprised if the machine is removed for a disk swipe, reinstallation of the OS, reinstallation of applications, and a likely install of a "networked PC" that will no longer allow any software installations or system setting alterations.

Although the security features in this program are super, use in organizations will have to be managed and controlled by IS folks, in order to assure the machines continue to work as designed and in accordance with any existing corporate IS policies and procedures.

However, because of the very nature of the security features in this super program, it very definitely does have important use in most all corporate environments and educational institutions. This program can be installed on these computers, and set up by IS management in such a manner as to offer the company the necessary protection against user tampering with system files. This will help hold down their total cost of ownership of these machines by not having to send IS technical support to fix damaged machines.

While stand-alone PC owners are of course an important target customer, the use inside organizations represents the genuine value of implementing the security features of this vital program that will provide a great degree of data protection.

Critical System Files That Are Protected

When you select the Add command on the Critical Files tab, a pop up menu appears that shows the list of the main critical system files that need to be protected.

These include ActiveX Controls (OCX), Applications (EXE), Application Extension (DLL), Configuration Settings (INI), Device Drivers (DRV), MS-DOS Applications (COM), MS-DOS Batch Files (BAT), Screen Savers (SCR), Setup Information Files (INF), Shortcuts (LNK), Shortcuts to MS-DOS Programs (PIF), System Files (SYS), Virtual Device Drivers (386), and other Virtual Device Drivers (VXD).

If you need to add a specific file, you can do so by selecting the New command.

Using the Shielded Folder

Many times, personal files are often affected by the destructive action of computer viruses, causing irrecoverable loss of these files. If you use the "Shielded" folder, you can periodically and automatically keep an updated copy or backup of your most important personal files, so these will be totally protected from all risk of elimination or alteration.

The "shielded" folder can even be renamed, and you can change its location and save it on another hard disk.

Install and Setup

Although the hard drive space and RAM requirements of this program are minimal, understand that for this program to do what is intended, it must integrate itself within your operating system. This means the program writes files and sets up entries into the registry database, that go beyond what normally occurs with most applications. The uninstall routine works with the standard Add/Remove Programs command in the Control Panel.

The online user manual also presents the step-by-step instructions how to use the program and how it works. To control precisely and effectively all protected files and control panel applets, Integrity 2 will need to be running at all times. However, you can finish the program execution at any time by selecting the Exit command on the pop-up menu when you right click the SoftClan Integrity 2 icon located in the system tray. The program is by default designed to run when the computer boots.

Note also that because of how the program seats itself in an operating system, this means you will certainly want to be sure and have all background files closed before you load this program. In addition, you might want to also make note of these files, and then run the MSCONFIG file to de-select these files when you next start your system, and then install the program. Let the install routine run its course, and then restart your system, and make sure the program loads properly.

After a successful installation of the program, you would want to again run the MSCONFIG file and re-check the files you earlier de-selected, but only one at a time, restarting each time, to be sure that the program is running well. This program will add certain files in the Startup process, so you will want to be sure that after these files load that the other files you may also want to load at startup will cohabitate well with this program.

To uninstall the program, close all open applications and files, and use the Uninstall SoftClan Integrity 2 command on the General Tab. Then restart the computer to complete the uninstall process.

Remember, SoftClan Integrity 2 is NOT an anti-virus program, and will NOT eliminate viruses from a computer. This is the work of the anti-virus program. What Integrity 2 will do is help you avoid the destructive action of viruses that have not been detected or eliminated by the anti-virus program.

Price

$39.95 boxed version (super bargain!)
$34.95 downloadable version
$34.95 price to unlock 30-day free trial version 
Multi-licensing pricing available

Minimum System Configuration Requirements

IBM-PC or 100% compatible
386 processor or higher
Windows 95/98/ME
4MB free hard disk space
4MB RAM
VGA 640 X 480 or better monitor
CD ROM Drive (boxed version)
Microsoft compatible mouse

The above system configuration requirements indicate the minimum system requirements, and as most savvy computer owners know, this and any application will run best on the fastest processor you can manage, along with the most RAM you can afford to add to your system.

About CenturionSoft

CenturionSoft is a Washington, DC-based software company specializing in Windows utilities for productivity and security, wholly owned by Software Abroad, LLC, a global software import and distribution company. Other applications produced or distributed include Steganos 3 Security Suite, a complete set of utilities to protect your privacy and secure your important documents, Web Watcher Business Edition, designed to help prevent Internet abuse, Steganos Internet Trace Destructor, a personal privacy protector for the Internet, Steganos Password Manager, a personal manager for passwords, SAFtyLatch, voice-activated security for files and folders, and Steganos, the privacy protector program that is a component in the Steganos 3 Security Suite.

CenturionSoft also makes available, in addition to SoftClan Integrity 2, SoftClan Security Suite, SoftClan DialLock, and SoftClan Squire.

CenturionSoft also works with computer game software, including Adventure at the Chateau d'Or and Catechumen. Other utility applications from CenturionSoft include X-Portal Findware, a new search tool, PrintScreen, used to capture and print screen images using the Print Screen key on the keyboard, EuroFonter, used to enable applications to handle the new Euro symbol, and TrakRecord, an event browser.

Contact Information

Ben Eubanks
CenturionSoft
2000 P Street NW, Suite 615
Washington, DC 20036-6920
202-293-5151
FAX 202-293-6942
eFAX 208-977-9967
beubanks@centurionsoft.com
info@centurionsoft.com
www.softclan.com
www.softwareabroad.com
www.centurionsoft.com

You can also order from other retailers or online vendors.