This type of threat causes damage by taking over one or more memory locations in use by a program. Then it spreads and harms other programs, files, and even your e-mail contacts. This type of “attack” is very common and that is why Microsoft have introduced DEP into Service Pack 2 for Windows XP.
Unlike a firewall or antivirus program though, Data Execution Prevention DEP does NOT help prevent harmful programs from being installed on your computer. Instead, it monitors your programs to determine if they use system memory SAFELY. To do this, DEP software works alone or with compatible processors to mark some memory locations as “non-executable”. If a program tries to run code – malicious or not – from a protected location, DEP closes the program and notifies you with an warning message.
Software or Hardware DEP?
There are two types of Data Execution Prevention “Software Enforced” and “Hardware Enforced”.
Most users are using Software Enforced data execution prevention – which is available to any machine running Windows XP Service Pack 2. Hardware enforced DEP is only available (as of writing this article) to users who have machines based on the AMD Operton 32 or 64 bit processor, or the AMD Athlon 64 processor with NX (no execute page protection), or the Intel Itanium processor with XD (execute disable bit).
Where Can I Find DEP On My PC?
On the My Computer icon right click and click on properties, Go to Advanced tab and click on the settings button under the performance. You can see the “Data Execution Prevention” tab.
However, you can gain more protection by selecting the second option and DEP will now work for ALL programs and services on your computer. BUT this is know to generate some error messages as legitimate software can conflict with DEP. By default Data Execution Prevention is turned on for Windows programs and services only and for most users this is fine. If this happens, you get a warning dialog box on your screen informing you of an error and the software you are trying to use will not start.
If this was a nasty piece of software lurking on your computer then DEP will have done its job. BUT if it happens to you when trying to work with some software you fully trust, this can be a problem, but fortunately there is a solution…
…you will need to tell Data Execution Prevention to ignore the software you want to use!
Note: The DEP error message should always tell you which software caused the problem and who the publisher is, if you do NOT recognise the information provided then suspect fowl play and seek the advice of a more experienced user/technician….)
Enabling this option can ALSO cause a conflict with some Hardware drivers and present you with a warning dialog saying something along the lines of:
(ATTEMPTED_EXECUTE_OF_NONEXECUTE_MEMORY).
If that happens you will need to try and track down updated Windows XP drivers for the Hardware involved – preferably marked “Digitally Signed” for Windows XP
How the Data Execution Prevention ignore the software you want to use
If you have selected the option “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:” you MAY experience error messages when attempting to start a program on your computer. If DEP suspects that the software is trying to run code—malicious or not—from a protected location, DEP closes the program and notifies you with an warning message.
Now if you are running a piece of free software you “found” on the Internet and it generates this warning message my advice is to DELETE it! It may have poorly written code or hidden adaware/spyware trying to run etc… and is not worth the risk to your computer’s security.
BUT if you are attempting to start some software you DO trust and you get the DEP warning message and forced shut down… follow these steps to treat this software as an EXCEPTION and so have DEP ignore any protected memory issues.
How To Add An Exception In DEP
1. Locate the software on your computer. To do this click on the Start menu and choose All Programs. Now find the software and locate the icon you click to start the program BUT DO NOT click it yet. Instead right click the icon with your mouse and choose Properties.
2. In the window that appears click the Shortcut “tab” along the top.
3. Now look for the section called Target and click and select the text in the box – just like in the example image below:
4. Now press Ctrl + C on your keyboard and this will copy the text.
5. On the My Computer icon right click with your mouse and choose Properties. (My Computer can be found on the desktop and/or the Start menu depending on how you have your Windows XP setup.)
6. A small window will have appeared called: System Properties. Look for the “tab” along the top called Advanced, now click it.
7. Now look for the section called Performance and click the button called Settings.
8. You will now see a new window appear called Performance Options, click the tab along the top called Data Execution Prevention and you should get the now familiar DEP window.
9. Now select the option “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select:”
10. Click the Add button that is no longer greyed out and a standard Open File window will appear. Click in the File Name box and then press Ctrl + V on your keyboard to paste the file location into the box. It may look something like: “C:\Program Files\Bradbury\FeedDemon\FeedDemon.exe”
11. Click the Open button and the window will close and the software will now be visible in the DEP exception list. Now click the Apply button and close all the open windows.
You have now added the software to a custom list of software that DEP will ignore. If you wish to add more to the list just follow the steps again outlined above!
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