The Secunia PSI explained
The Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) is a free computer security solution that identifies vulnerabilities in non-Microsoft (third-party) programs which can leave your PC open to attacks.
Simply put, it scans software on your system and identifies programs in need of security updates to safeguard your PC against cybercriminals. It then supplies your computer with the necessary software security updates to keep it safe. The Secunia PSI even automates the updates for your insecure programs, making it a lot easier for you to maintain a secure PC.
Using a scanner like Secunia PSI 3.0 is complementary to antivirus software, and as a free computer security program, is essential for every home computer.
How
the Secunia PSI works
The Secunia Personal Software Inspector
(PSI) works by examining files on your computer (primarily .exe, .dll, and .ocx
files). These files contain non-specific meta information provided by the
software vendor only. This data is the same for all users, and originates from
the installed programs on your computer - never from their configuration.
Please read the privacy statement available at the bottom of this page and
through the Secunia PSI application for more details about how information from
your computer is used by Secunia.
Purpose of
the Secunia PSI
The Secunia PSI is an invaluable tool for
you to use when assessing the security patch state of software installed on
your system. It constantly monitors your system for insecure software
installations, notifies you when an insecure application is installed, and even
provides you with detailed instructions for updating the application when
available.
It is NOT the purpose of the Secunia PSI to detect whether your system has
already been compromised or if local changes, settings, or missing requirements
could cause the Secunia PSI to report incorrect results. The Secunia PSI relies
on the meta-data of executables and library files. The Secunia PSI does NOT
conduct an integrity check of the individual files, rather, it checks whether a
specific program is vulnerable according to the reported version numbers and
not whether the files have been compromised or replaced by other users or
programs.
The Secunia PSI is not a replacement for other security measures such as
anti-virus or personal firewalls, the Secunia PSI is a great supplement to
other security measures such as anti-virus and personal firewalls as it helps
preventing exploitation of often overlooked exposures.
Additionally, it is important to understand that the process of identifying
insecure software installations on any system involves many different factors
and, in rare cases, may result in incorrect detections. Should you encounter
such a situation, please send us your feedback and all relevant information at
support@secunia.com.
It is NOT the purpose of the Secunia PSI to detect whether your system has already been compromised or if local changes, settings, or missing requirements could cause the Secunia PSI to report incorrect results. The Secunia PSI relies on the meta-data of executables and library files. The Secunia PSI does NOT conduct an integrity check of the individual files, rather, it checks whether a specific program is vulnerable according to the reported version numbers and not whether the files have been compromised or replaced by other users or programs.
The Secunia PSI is not a replacement for other security measures such as anti-virus or personal firewalls, the Secunia PSI is a great supplement to other security measures such as anti-virus and personal firewalls as it helps preventing exploitation of often overlooked exposures.
Additionally, it is important to understand that the process of identifying insecure software installations on any system involves many different factors and, in rare cases, may result in incorrect detections. Should you encounter such a situation, please send us your feedback and all relevant information at support@secunia.com.
Privacy
Statement
Communication
All communication between your system (The
Secunia PSI) and the Secunia servers (psi.secunia.com) is conducted via an
encrypted connection (SSL). Effectively protecting against eavesdropping of the
data and the results being exchanged with Secunia.
Data
All data sent to Secunia is treated as
confidential.
The Personal Software Inspector collects unique text strings and data about
executable files and installed applications on your system, including hostname
and langroup, and Microsoft KB numbers. This data is analysed by the Secunia
File Signature engine (psi.secunia.com) to determine the exact applications
installed on your system. No other data is collected from your system.
This can in turn be used to provide you with a detailed report about the
specific missing security related updates on your system. The data sent to
Secunia is non-personal data only. The data is generic, standardised, and
originates from installed programs on your computer.
All data will be deleted automatically no later than 12 months after you
terminate using the program or immediately after you cancel your
registration.
Secunia will not share or sell specific data about individuals with any third
parties. Only aggregate statistical which can't be related directly to any
individuals will be published and shared with third parties.
The Personal Software Inspector collects unique text strings and data about executable files and installed applications on your system, including hostname and langroup, and Microsoft KB numbers. This data is analysed by the Secunia File Signature engine (psi.secunia.com) to determine the exact applications installed on your system. No other data is collected from your system.
This can in turn be used to provide you with a detailed report about the specific missing security related updates on your system. The data sent to Secunia is non-personal data only. The data is generic, standardised, and originates from installed programs on your computer.
All data will be deleted automatically no later than 12 months after you terminate using the program or immediately after you cancel your registration.
Secunia will not share or sell specific data about individuals with any third parties. Only aggregate statistical which can't be related directly to any individuals will be published and shared with third parties.
Supported Operating Systems (32 & 64 bit):
- Microsoft Windows 8
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows Vista SP 1 or later
- Microsoft Windows XP - SP 3
- Microsoft Windows 8
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows Vista SP 1 or later
- Microsoft Windows XP - SP 3
Privileges
To install and run the Secunia PSI you require administrative privileges.
To install and run the Secunia PSI you require administrative privileges.
ConnectivityAccess to Secunia's encrypted servers via SSL (https://psi.secunia.com:443/) and access to Microsoft Windows Update servers, see also Software Requirements below
http://goo.gl/fkmd7b
The latest version of Microsoft Update. You can determine whether or not you are running the latest version by visiting
update.microsoft.com
with Microsoft Internet Explorer, while logged in as the Administrator. If you are able to check your system for missing updates through this tool, your system should function properly with the Secunia PSI.
The latest version of Microsoft Update. You can determine whether or not you are running the latest version by visitingwith Microsoft Internet Explorer, while logged in as the Administrator. If you are able to check your system for missing updates through this tool, your system should function properly with the Secunia PSI.
There are no additional hardware requirements. If your computer runs any of the above mentioned Operating Systems, then Secunia PSI should work.
There are no additional hardware requirements. If your computer runs any of the above mentioned Operating Systems, then Secunia PSI should work.
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