PeerGuardian 2 RC1 Test

This is not the final version of RC1. This is an initial testing release only. Things are broken. Please do not release any new build to download or news sites!

This build has been tested with the following Windows versions:

• Windows 98 SE
• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• Windows XP x64 Edition
• Windows Server 2003
• Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
• Windows Vista
• Windows Vista x64 Edition
• Windows Server 2008 Beta

One installer fits all: pg2-rc1-test2.exe. Vista x64 users, please read the directions below.

Please report any bugs you find at our forums.

What's new

• Ability to completely disable logging.
• Update servers are now auto-allowed while updating.
• Driver has been updated for higher performance and stability.
• Windows Vista support:
  • Full support for IPv4 and IPv6.
  • Detects IPv4 users masquerading under Teredo and 6to4 IPv6 addresses.
  • Connections do not need to time-out like they do in XP, which means faster browsing with ad blocking lists.
  • UDP "connections" are detected, meaning only the first packet of a UDP protocol will be logged. This allows for much less CPU and disk usage in new P2P projects like Rodi and Freenet.
  • Compatible with ALL firewalls.
• "pgfix" recovery application no longer needed.

Why Teredo blocking is important

All Windows Vista machines come with a service known as "Teredo" enabled by default. This enables you to access the IPv6 internet using IPv4. It also means that any IPv4 user can masquerade as being on IPv6 in attempt to evade IP blockers and firewalls.

PeerGuardian fully detects these types of IPv6 users and will check them against the regular blocklist.

Important note for Vista x64 users

New in Vista x64, Microsoft requires all drivers to have a special code signature, or they won't load. They call this a security feature, but we believe this is basically snake-oil: although code signatures let you verify where the driver came from, it does not protect at all against a malicious driver (such as a virus).

Unfortunately, the certificate to perform this signing costs from $300-$500 USD/year. Until Phoenix Labs is able to afford one, Vista x64 users will need to perform the following steps.

• Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Right click Command Prompt -> Run as administrator.
• Copy the following exactly (without quotes): "bcdedit /set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS". Right click on the title bar, go to Edit -> Paste. Make sure what was pasted is correct, then hit enter to execute the command.
• Reboot the machine
• Now the first time you load PeerGuardian you will see a message like the below. If you performed the above steps correctly, it is safe to ignore this. You can make sure by turning on Show Allowed under settings, and making sure an IP scrolls by when you visit a website.
  .