DEP and install Zone Alarm Problem

Understanding Data Execution PreventionData Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) that helps protect your computer against damage from viruses and other security threats. These types of threats attempt to run from protected memory locations in your computer that only Windows and other programs that you have installed should use.

Unlike a firewall or antivirus program, DEP is not intended to help prevent harmful programs from being installed on your computer. Instead, DEP is designed to prevent viruses and other security threats from running (also referred to as executing) harmful code from any of your computer's protected memory locations.

How does it work?

DEP works with compatible microprocessors to mark some common memory locations as "non-executable." If a program tries to run code from a non-executable location, Windows closes the program. This helps prevent worms, viruses, and other security threats from attacking your computer while you run your installed programs. You are notified as soon as the problem occurs. By default, DEP is turned on for all programs on your computer.

What can I do if DEP closes a program?

Make sure that your security essentials are marked ON in Security Center. If you are using the recommended security settings and DEP closes the program, contact the software publisher to see if an updated version of the program is available. To open the Security Center, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Security Center.

If you cannot update the program and your security essentials are marked ON, you can turn off DEP for this program. To turn off DEP, click the Change Settings button in the Data Execution Prevention Alert dialog box. You must be logged on as an administrator to change your DEP settings.

Is it safe to run a program that's been closed?

Yes, if you leave DEP turned on for all programs. Every time Windows detects a data execution problem, it will close the program. To help protect your computer and keep your programs running more smoothly, use Automatic Updates to get the latest security updates delivered to your computer, or routinely get updates from the Windows Update Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/).

Why isn't DEP available on my computer?

To use this security feature, your computer must be running Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or later. Your processor must also be compatible with Data Execution Prevention (or "execution protection") technology.

To check if DEP is compatible with your computer's microprocessor:

To open System Properties, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click the Advanced tab. Then, under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Data Execution Prevention tab.
Make sure that the DEP settings are available.
If your microprocessor is not compatible, the DEP settings will not be available, and at the bottom of the dialog box you will see a message indicating that your microprocessor does not support Data Execution Prevention.

If this message does not appear and the DEP settings are not available, you are not logged on as an administrator for your computer. Only members of the Administrators group can manage DEP settings.

Note

To help prevent damage from viruses and other security threats, leave DEP turned on for all programs.

 

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