FAQs
How Does Aura Work?
Aura works like the locks on the doors of your home. You get to decide who comes in. Aura works the same way with your computer.  No program file can get onto your computer hard drive without your permission.  You are now protected from “drive-by-downloads” – malicious or unwanted software that gets on your computer without you knowing just by surfing the web. 

Will Aura allow software I have already purchased to update itself?
Yes. Some software programs will occasionally update themselves automatically over your internet connection. Aura recognizes those attempts and allows them to happen.

Will Aura work on computers that are on a network?
Aura is designed for personal computing. If you have a home network, you will want to load it on each of your computers with Internet access.  With one purchase of Aura, you are provided five license keys.  In other words, you can protect up to five computers at once!  Learn more about our Once and For All™ pricing.

Does Aura work on the Mac?
No.  Aura has been written only for Microsoft Windows® 2000 and Windows® XP Home and Windows® XP Professional.

Can I turn Aura off?
Yes, if you need to. If you are going to be downloading a program from the web such as the latest copy of TurboTax®, you will need to “suspend” Aura protection or “unlock the door” to your computer while your program downloads.  Once you have successfully downloaded the trusted program, you just click to resume Aura protection.

Can I Still Do Everything I Want To Do On My Computer?
Yes! That's the beauty of Aura. Because you no longer need to worry about malicious software getting on your computer while you surf the web, you are free to do what you want to do. So go ahead: Let your kids on the computer again. Click on those attachments that come with your e-mail. Surf where you want. Bank online.  Download music. Shop online. There's a wonderful world out there. Go explore it.

Can I install software or games that I purchased at a store?
Yes.  If you are loading a game or other software program from a CD or DVD you do NOT need to “suspend” Aura’s protection.  You can go ahead and load it without any interruption.

Will Aura stop me from downloading music, photographs or movies?
No, Aura only stops downloads of computer programs. Computer programs typically try to perform a function on your PC. Files like music, pictures, and/or movies are simple files that do not try to perform a specific function on your PC. Those files are not blocked (unless they have an “embedded” virus – in that case, the virus action is stopped).

Will Aura prevent me from loading software directly onto my computer from a CD/DVD?
No. Aura only protects you from program files that try to get on your computer from the Internet.  If you have a trusted computer program on a CD/DVD you are free to load that on your computer with no interruption from Aura.

Will Aura prevent me from using the Internet and surfing sites where I want to go?
Absolutely not. Most people are not aware that websites will install programs on your computer without your knowledge – the random dropping of a program file is called a “drive-by-download”. Some are intrusive, some are not. Some are malicious, some are not. But they all happen WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Your Aura stops them before they even reach your computer hard drive.

Can I click on email attachments without worry of harm to my computer?
Yes, because Aura does not allow malicious software through, even in attachments.

How Will Aura Help Me Protect My Family Online?
As you or your family surfs online, many websites will attempt to install software on your computer to track where you go, what sites you visit, and even steal personal information. Aura blocks them before they have a chance to get on your computer – Aura is working behind-the-scenes to protect you and your family.  Just like the locks on your door no one gets in without you saying OK.

How does Aura let me easily stop viruses and spyware?
Aura stops them before they get started. It's simple: With Aura, no new software — including malicious software such as viruses and spyware — can get on your computer without your permission. Aura operates behind-the-scenes to protect you and your family so that the web can be fun again.

Does Aura know what Web sites are trying to infect my computer?
Once you have Aura operating on your computer, you can check to see what files have been blocked. Simply click on the tray icon and you will be able to view the files that have been blocked.  Once you are in the “View Blocked Files” screen you can see more details about where the file came from and other important information. 

How does Aura help protect my computer's performance?
All malicious and unwanted software programs that load onto your computer, without your knowledge, need a little bit of your computer's speed in order to run. When you add them all together, they can cripple your computer and cause it to operate very slowly, or worse yet, cause a total crash. Aura prevents these malicious and unwanted software programs from getting onto your computer in the first place.

How Is Aura Different Than Other Security Software?
Aura is proactive computer security.  Since its patent pending file blocker technology prevents program files from getting on your computer, it puts you in control over what downloads onto your computer. It acts like a traffic cop that stops every new program file from getting on your computer, including malicious software (such as viruses and spyware) that tries to load onto your computer without your permission.

Other anti-spyware and anti-virus software work like a traffic cop that stops only the specific troublemakers it recognizes. If traditional security software has not been programmed to recognize a particular malicious intruder, such as a new virus or new spyware, it allows it to load onto your computer. The way the current programs work is reactionary, they can never stay a head of the malicious software writers.

If I have Aura, do I need other anti-virus and anti-spyware software?
It's a good idea to have the other security measures in place to help protect your computer during those times when you turn Aura off in order to download programs.

Do I need to "subscribe" to Aura like other security software products?
No, unlike other anti-virus and anti-spyware software or services, you do not need to re-subscribe each year. Once and for All™ pricing means all computers in your home are protected for one price, no subscriptions fees required. It's that easy. Aura uses a patent pending file blocker technology to proactively protect all your home computers.  We like to think of it as "Once And For All" pricing. You can read more about our company pricing policy at www.atkasoftware.com.

What Doesn't Aura Do?
Aura is powerful because it does ONE thing very well: Aura blocks software programs from getting on your computer without your permission. Actually, because Aura works so well, other software you may buy to enhance your computer experience can work even better!

Will Aura block spam?
Aura will not block spam. However, many viruses and spyware programs "come with" spam. Your Aura stops these.

Will Aura block pop-ups?
No. Aura does not explicitly stop pop-ups. However, if a pop-up program is embedded in something that tries to load on your PC without your consent, it will block it.

Will Aura stop my child from visiting Web sites that I don't want him/her to visit?
No, Aura doesn't stop your child from visiting any Web site. However, Aura does give you control over what tries to automatically download onto your computer – with Aura there will be no more drive-by-downloads.

How Do I Buy and Install Aura?
Buying and installing Aura is easy. Simply click on purchase Aura now and follow the instructions. In minutes, you'll have your Aura.

Do I need to buy a copy of Aura for each of my computers?
Aura is for use on all of the personal computers in your home — a family purchase. Think of it as you do locks on the doors of your home. Each door needs a lock to keep intruders out. Aura needs to be installed on each computer with Internet access to keep viruses and spyware out.

We make it easy to protect all of your home computers. With one purchase of Aura, you are provided five license keys.  In other words, you can protect up to five computers at once!  Learn more about our Once and For All™ pricing.

When is the best time to install Aura?
It's best to install Aura when your computer is new or immediately after it has been cleaned of viruses and spyware. Aura cannot fix damage caused by viruses, spyware and adware, nor can it clean those malicious softwares from your computer.  However, Aura can be installed before you clean your computer and that will prevent future damage.  Aura is a great behind-the-scene proactive security protection for your home computer.  It is an excellent solution for people on the go; they enjoy the web but find keeping up with Internet security frustrating and daunting.  Aura gives the home users a chance to break the cycle of cleaning, finding a slow computer as a result of unwanted or malicious software, and then months later having to clean again.

If I install Aura on an "infected" computer, will Aura be able to block new malicious software?
Yes, because Aura will block new program files from installing on your computer — and all malicious software comes in the form of program files — Aura, file blocker technology, will block all NEW malicious or unwanted software from installing on your computer.

If I install Aura on an "infected" computer, will I still be able to remove the malicious software later?
Yes, when you are ready to use a piece of software to "clean" your computer, you simply turn Aura off to download the "cleaning" software. If you have that software on CD/DVD you can go ahead and install it with no interruption from Aura.  You can also call a professional to help you clean your computer using their tools; just don’t forget to let them know you have Aura.

How can I be sure my computer is "healthy" enough to install Aura?
Your system doesn't have to be clean in order to install Aura. But keep in mind that installing Aura does not rid your computer of viruses, spyware and other malware. We recommend a qualified professional, with the latest tools and knowledge, take care of this for you.