Spyware Doctor keeps your system constantly protected against malware through its OnGuard real-time protection feature. OnGuard consists of a set of tools that, once activated, constantly monitors your system for any malicious behaviors involving spyware processes, tracking cookies, malicious ActiveX objects or browser hijackers, to name a few. The scope of the system monitoring is increased with database updates, which are released several times a week and obtained via Smart Update.

When Spyware Doctor is first started, you may be prompted to activate OnGuard protection. Answering 'Yes' activates OnGuard protection.

OnGuard protection can also be activated by:

• clicking the OnGuard Protection is button on Spyware Doctor's screen until it indicates ON.

• clicking the OnGuard button on the left of Spyware Doctor's screen and selecting the Activate OnGuard check box on the OnGuard screen.

The OnGuard screen shows the list of OnGuard tools, all of which are switched on by default. Click a tool name on the left of this screen to reveal its details which are presented in tabbed format on the right. To stop a specific tool from running, select its name and on its Summary tab, select the OFF option to switch off the tool. The exception to this is Scheduler, which activates differently from the other OnGuard tools. To read more about each OnGuard tool see the OnGuard Tools section.

OnGuard tools monitor your system in real-time and display pop-up notifications above the Windows Systray based on infection- or schedule-related activities. Pop-up notifications are set to display by default. To switch off these notifications:

• On Spyware Doctor's screen, click Settings -> General Settings (under Pick a category) and on the right, clear the check box next to OnGuard tools can display popup alert window, or

• Click or select the check box next to Hide alerts, which appears on any OnGuard pop-up notification.

OnGuard tools can consume CPU resources. You can decrease this consumption by selectively turning off specific OnGuard tools.

Note: Upon Immunizing your computer with Immunizer, the effects of this tool remain functional even after Spyware Doctor has been closed. For other OnGuard functions, Spyware Doctor must be kept running to allow real-time protection against malicious cookies, BHOs and ActiveX objects.