There are as many computer security programs out there are there are computers, and sometimes it's hard to tell them apart. Shadow Defender is an application that has decided to take an original approach - it creates a virtual space on your computer (Shadow Mode) and then redirects any system changes to it, so that any malicious activity will leave your real system untouched. If something bad does happen, you simply reboot, leaving your system in its original, undamaged state.

The Shadow Defender interface is a simple one, with an area to put the computer into Shadow Mode, an area to exclude certain files or folders, and a configuration zone. There is also an option called Commit Now, but what exactly this does is a bit unclear, even after reading the Shadow Defender user manual! The configuration options can be found under Administration and are fairly basic - you can set a password, enable context menu features and a tray icon, but that's pretty much it.

Innovation should always be applauded when we're talking about technology, so Shadow Defender is definitely due some kudos. Even so, the concept won't appeal to everyone, especially because once you are in Shadow Mode, you won't be able to make any changes unless you have specified an excluded folder where you can save - and that's something you'll have to do before enabling Shadow Defender. Add this to the fact that you have to reboot every time you want to enable or disable the protection, and the measly selection of configuration options, Shadow Defender ends up being far from flexible or quick.

Shadow Defender - it's not a bad program, but it only seems useful for occasional, specific use.