Common questions.

No. SentinelHome101.exe is completely self-contained. It includes everything it needs to run. Just double-click it — no Python, no extra downloads, no setup wizard.

SentinelHome101 is packaged using a tool called PyInstaller, which bundles Python applications into a single executable file. Some antivirus engines flag PyInstaller-packaged files as suspicious based on the packaging pattern alone, not because of anything the app actually does. Microsoft Defender, Kaspersky, and Bitdefender all return clean results. 67 of 71 engines on VirusTotal cleared it. The 4 flags are heuristic detections, not identifications of actual malicious code. You can review the full report on our transparency page.

No. All 101 checks run entirely on your local machine and network. No scan results, device information, IP addresses, or personal data are sent to any server. Two features optionally connect to external services — internet speed test and credential breach check — both are disabled by default and require explicit opt-in. All data is stored locally on your machine at C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\SentinelHome101\. It never leaves your machine.

Several of the 101 security checks require Windows Administrator access — for example, reading Windows Security Center status, querying system information, and running network configuration commands. The UAC prompt appears every time as a result. This is intentional for a security tool.

SentinelHome101 starts every scan at 100 and deducts points for security findings. Each critical finding costs 15 points. Each warning costs 5 points. A score above 80 is good. A score between 50 and 79 is fair. A score below 50 means significant issues were found that need prompt attention.

First try to identify it — check your router's connected devices list. Common unknown devices include smart TVs, streaming boxes, smart speakers, and printers. If you cannot identify a device after investigation, change your WiFi password. Any device connected without your knowledge will be disconnected when the password changes.

No. SentinelHome101 is an audit and reporting tool — it finds problems and tells you how to fix them in plain English. It does not make changes to your system or network automatically. You remain in control of every change that is made.

No tool can guarantee complete security, and SentinelHome101 is no exception. A perfect score means none of the 101 checks found a known issue at the time of the scan. It does not account for threats that emerge after the scan runs, vulnerabilities in software you have installed, or human factors like weak passwords or phishing. Think of it as a strong baseline, not a final verdict. Running scans regularly and acting on findings over time is what actually improves your security posture.

Every router ships from the factory with a default username and password — usually something like admin/admin or admin/password. If you have never changed yours, anyone who can reach your router can log into it and take control of your network. SentinelHome101 checks this on every scan. Read the full article on router default credentials.

DNS is the system that translates website names into IP addresses. If your DNS settings have been changed without your knowledge, someone may be redirecting your traffic — sending you to fake versions of real websites to steal your login credentials. This is called DNS hijacking and it is one of the harder attacks to detect without a dedicated tool. SentinelHome101 checks your DNS configuration on every scan. Read the full article on DNS hijacking.

UPnP stands for Universal Plug and Play. It is a feature that allows devices on your network to automatically open ports on your router without asking for permission. That convenience comes with real security risk — malicious software can use UPnP to punch holes in your firewall without you knowing. SentinelHome101 checks whether UPnP is enabled and flags it if so. Read the full article on UPnP risks.