Application Database Update

GeSWall comes with a default application database, which contains specific rules for most popular internet applications including web browsers, e-mail clients, messengers, etc. Moreover, GentleSecurity maintains that database on a regular basis and lets you get automatic periodic updates for corrected rules and additional applications. The purpose is to have more safe applications and to protect you from more internet threats. Ideally, all internet applications should run isolated.

When GeSWall detects an application database update is available it notifies you about it with a tray balloon message, as shown on the picture below.

Click on the GeSWall tray icon and choose the 'Update GeSWall' menu item to start an update.

GeSWall downloads an update package from www.gentlesecurity.com and applies it to application database. During processing, it notifies you about update progress

... and completion status.

Automatic update does not prevent you creating your own rules for present or new applications. GeSWall merges update changes with your changes by following these rules:

• Add non-present application definitions from update package.
• Set an application identification method (Version information, Name or Digest) as specified in the update package.
• Add non-present specific rules and resources from the update package.
• Modify and delete specific rules and resources created by GentleSecurity during installation (default database) or previous updates.

All your changes including group and application display names, group's hierarchy, security levels, additional rules and resources definitions are kept untouched.

So, whenever you get an application, which is not currently in the GeSWall application database, you can safely create the application definitions and specific rules yourself. Future updates will only amplify your specific rules.

Instead of adding application definition on your own, you can submit a request on www.gentlesecurity.com, by clicking the 'Request New Application' menu item of the GeSWall tray icon. If there is sufficient demand, GentleSecurity will handle your request and you will get the application supported with a future automatic update.