Good questions, straight answers
Can't find what you're looking for? See the privacy policy and the security page, or email support@defendingo.com.
The basics
What does Defendingo actually do?
It records every connection the apps on your computer make, figures out who is on the other end (a website, a company, your router), sorts it into a category, and tells you in plain words when something looks unusual. You can look at what's happening right now or search the last 90 days.
Is Defendingo an antivirus?
No. Keep Windows Security on. An antivirus looks at files. Defendingo shows what your apps do on the network, which an antivirus doesn't, and helps you notice things that deserve a closer look.
Does it block anything?
No. Defendingo only watches. It never blocks connections, ends programs or changes your firewall, so it can't break your games or apps.
How do I watch one specific program?
Right-click the program's .exe file and choose "Run with Defendingo". On Windows 11 it's under "Show more options". It doesn't appear on shortcuts: right-click the shortcut, choose "Open file location", then right-click the file that's highlighted. The program starts with its normal rights, and Defendingo shows a live log of everything it and its helpers do online, with a summary when it closes. For a program that's already running, open Defendingo, go to Apps and press "Watch live".
Do I need an account?
No. There is no sign-up and no login. Download it, open it, and it works.
Installing and running
Windows says "Unknown publisher" or "Windows protected your PC". Is that OK?
Yes, if you downloaded it from defendingo.com. Defendingo is new and isn't code-signed yet (that's a paid certificate that puts a company name on a program), so Windows can't show who made it. To be sure your copy is genuine, compare its fingerprint with the one on the download page. Then click "More info" and "Run anyway", and Yes on the next question.
Why does it ask for administrator rights?
Windows only tells programs running as administrator about every single connection, including ones that last a split second. Starting together with your computer also needs permission. You're asked once; after that the background guard runs with those rights at every startup, and uses them only to watch. If you say no, Defendingo still works, but it checks once per second and can miss very short connections.
Will it slow down my computer or my games?
No. The background guard uses about 20 MB of memory and barely any processor time. The app window uses more while it's open, like any window, and nothing once you close it.
Does it keep running when I close the window?
Yes. Closing the window only hides the dashboard. The guard keeps recording in the background, so your history has no gaps.
How do updates work?
Defendingo checks for a new version a couple of minutes after your computer starts and then once a day. It installs it only after verifying its digital signature. If anything doesn't match, the update is refused and your current version keeps running. To turn automatic updates off, click the status card at the bottom left of the app and switch off "Automatic updates".
How do I uninstall it?
Open Defendingo, click the status card at the bottom left and choose "Remove Defendingo". That stops it starting with Windows and removes the installed copy, the Start menu entry and the right-click entry. If you still have the folder you extracted the download into, delete it too. Your history is kept in case you come back; to delete it too, paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Defendingo into the File Explorer address bar and delete that folder.
Which systems are supported?
Windows 11 and Windows 10, 64-bit (ARM PCs work through Windows' built-in emulation). The app window uses Microsoft Edge WebView2, which comes with Windows 11 and up-to-date Windows 10. Versions for macOS and Linux are planned.
Warnings and safety
Defendingo shows a warning. Am I hacked?
Almost certainly not. A warning means "have a look", not "you are hacked". Many small games and tools aren't digitally signed, for example. Read the explanation, think about where the app came from, and decide. If you're unsure, check the program at virustotal.com.
Windows Security warned about Defendingo. What should I do?
New tools that look at other programs can trigger Windows Security's automatic guesses. Their names end in "!ml", which means machine learning: a guess, not a known virus. Only download Defendingo from defendingo.com and compare your file's fingerprint with the one on the download page. If it matches, you have the genuine file. You decide whether to restore it in Windows Security's protection history.
Why does Defendingo show "not signed" for itself?
Because it's true: Defendingo isn't code-signed yet, and it applies the same rules to itself as to every other program. It doesn't warn about its own background guard, though.
Does Defendingo send my data anywhere?
No. Your history stays on your own computer and is removed after 90 days. There is no account and no analytics. Read the full privacy policy.
Can other people on my network see my dashboard?
No. The dashboard only opens on your own computer. Other devices can't reach it, and websites open in your browser can't read it.
How do I contact you?
Email support@defendingo.com. Please don't send your history unless you're asked for it.
