Adware

[InChrist]

I have just about every kind of security program you can think of, most of them free. Ad-Aware, Spywareblaster you name it, I probably have it. I use Firefox and stay away from IE as much as possible.

Going on the internet without these things is like riding an upside down roller coaster without restraints.  

I have known some that don't use a firewall or AV. But it takes a lot of knowledge and caution.

[Seven]

*If* you are using IE use the "Restrictive Sites" Zone. When
you put a restrictive site into this zone it will stop
downloads (javaScripts, ActiveX, cookies, etc).
Most SpyWare, drive-by-hijacking, "drive-by-downloads"
use malicous code that are installed onto an unsuspecting
website visitor. Using the Restrictive Sites also prevent (in
most cases) "popups"

There is a list of "black-sites" that I can post here for IE users
that will update the "Restrictive Sites" Zone. It is a registry
update program. I will post here if there is an intrest and
if I the admin will aprove the post.


Jim.

[nChrist]

Hello Seven,

First, WELCOME!!!! I see this is your first post.

It is true that you have to be very careful on some web sites. I give thanks that Christians Unite appears to be as safe as they come.

I use Norton Internet Security and Spybot Search and Destroy. They both use huge black-lists. Of course, quite a few are xxx related, but there are many thousands of them. The Spybot black-list is probably in the hundreds. I'm not sure exactly what kind of black-list you are talking about. Some are geared for:

Very dangerous web sites,
Destructive downloads,
Virus, trojan, hijack, exploit,
xxx garbage,
pop-ups,
advertising
child-safe surfing,
etc.

I think that one could easily wind up with 200,000 entries or more if you tried to address all of that. However, that would be using wild-cards to cover many sites. If you didn't use wild-cards, it could easily be over a million. I have one limited in scope, mainly for the dangerous stuff and the xxx garbage. It has 6,000 entries. I don't have it installed any more, but I do use the smaller list from Spybot and a fairly large list from Norton. It depends on how you set them up. It can really slow things down and cause errors if you use the massive lists and you don't have a monster machine.

Could you give us an idea about what the list you have is designed to do? If it's massive, maybe a link can be posted, or several links for lists of various purposes and sizes.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Seven]

Greetings

The black-list that I currently maintain encompasses
the type of sites that you mentioned. I define my
black-list into categories. For example, adult, ads,
popups, questionable code, etc. Although popups are
not bad, there just annoying, (I should put an "!" there,
but I'm feeling generous).

The list I maintain is close to 3000 entries which is of course
extremely small!! (I think I'll use "!" one now.)
But since the software we are developing takes advantage of
the list, its growing.

Two things are done with the list, 1) format the data so it
can be placed directly into the user Windows regestry which
is then read into the "Restrictive Sites" when the IE browser
loads, 2) format the data for firewalls.

Your concern for performance is justified with such a large
list. When this list is added to the registry the performance is
negligible. Software such as Spybot or firewall use similar
lists when scanning for black-listed sites and their
performance is also negligible. Spyware programs are good to
have, but adding these black-listed site directly into a users
browser adds a lay of security to computer.

I can send you two (2) lines of registry edits that add
"forums.christiansunite.com" to a "Trusted site"
within a IE browser if you like.


Jim.

[nChrist]

Hello Brother Seven,

You have my interest peaked. I've used host lists, and I've also tried to add Christians Unite as a trusted site in everything, mainly the IE core and Norton. I don't use IE, but it appears to be still in action.    I've read that you have to be a genius to delete IE and not totally mess up the XP operating system.

I haven't tried to modify the system registry. I don't have the confidence or knowledge for that. I would be curious about that, but I would probably be afraid to try it.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Seven]

Greetings,

You dont need to be a genius remove IE from the OS, only
those that dont like IE and think they need to remove it
because of the "security problems" or some other far off
reason. IE is so integrated into the OS that trying to remove
it is suicidal. I would not try to remove it, besides there is no
reason to do so. You're right it will mess up the OS if a
person starts removing IE componets.

I dont use Norton Internet Security, so I don't know if you
can do manual updates. I never liked software driven
firewalls, (ZoneAlarm, Norton, BlackIce, and others) they eat
up resources plus you have to "train" them. Software driven
firewall would not be the course of action in a network
environment. (Can I say "Duh" there?)

I use a 2 routers, which acts like a firewall (port plugging) and
SonicWall that provide more services. This type of schema
protects the entire network and not just isolated/stand-alone
computers. (I'm really aching to say "duh" there again too.)

As far as updating a regestry for an IE browser, its straight
forward and easy. If you follow the link provided below, it
will take you to a sub domain that has information you
can try.

http://69.9.206.135/RegUpdate.htm

Let me know (Admin) if this works for you Feel free to email
me if you have an concerns or questions. I will be removing
this link one week after this posting.

Jim,

[nChrist]

Hello Seven,

Thanks Brother Jim. I got the file and may try it tonight.

I'm glad that I decided not to remove IE.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Seven]

Hello blackeyedpeas,

Did that registry update work for you?


Jim

[Ralf]

I personally just use ad aware as it uses extremely little resources, is still under a meg in size. and already has a pre-listed black list. you can use it and it works wonders. I love it.. all these ads on these forums.. I don't see them...I breathe a thank you everytime I see the word munched on my screen ^_^

And you even get a little cow in the systray that chews whenever it is eating ads

-Ralf

[nChrist]

Hello blackeyedpeas,

Did that registry update work for you?


Jim

Brother Jim,

I did a search in my registry with RegEditX and found almost the identical entries already there. I didn't know what would happen if I tried to duplicate the entries, so I didn't try it. I'm a chicken - SORRY. I tried to get Christians Unite listed as trusted in everything I use, so I guess that I did it the hard way a long time ago. I made manual entries in IE Trusted Sites and in Norton Internet Security. I only have a tiny list of completely trusted sites, and I did the same with all of them on my current computer and the one before.

I can definitely see your way would be much quicker and easier, but it's way over my head. I would need a trusted program to do registry changes for me since I would never have the confidence in myself to do it. So far, I have gotten brave enough to look at the registry, but I guess that isn't very brave.  

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Seven]

Hello blackeyepeas,

First, duplicating an entry in the regestry will not harm your
computer. Second, you seem afraid to do direct registry
edits and thats ok. A person need to be very sure of what
they are doing when performing direct registry manipulations.
I've written programs that do registry updates and regestry
key encryptions so I guess I feel confortable doing "raw"
updates to the registry. I've been a software developer
for many years now, so I have a good feel for this sort of
thing.

I would like to stress to you about Trusted site zones, just
keep in mind that it will lower the security standards on your
browser. ok? My point here is jsut to remind you to be careful
on who you add to the Trusted site zone in your browser, but
I'm sure you know this.

Jim

[nChrist]

Seven Said:

I would like to stress to you about Trusted site zones, just
keep in mind that it will lower the security standards on your
browser. ok? My point here is jsut to remind you to be careful
on who you add to the Trusted site zone in your browser, but
I'm sure you know this.

Jim

Brother Jim,

I appreciate the advice, and I guarantee that I will follow it. I only have five trusted sites listed:  Christians Unite, my ISP, e-Sword Bible Study Software, Microsoft Update, and my own web page.

I use Slim Browser, a highly rated browser that is supposed to be much safer than IE. You can turn dangerous things like active-x on and off. I find that I really don't need the dangerous features on the few sites that I visit for my personal use. I do check out web pages that are listed by new members of Christians Unite, but I leave all the features turned off. I'm not sure what some of those features do, but they are not apparently needed for the vast majority of web sites.

Brother, thanks for your information and help.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[john_us350]

try addaware 1.05 .it's the best software to remove addware

[Ralf]

Adaware made by lavasoft is good
I personally recommend it for spyware removal

-Ralf

[Kristi Ann]

The Below is From My Website Kristi Ann's Haven

Everyone please be Very careful out there. Do not open Emails from people you do not know, be careful of some software programs you download! There are a lot of Viruses out there to destroy peoples computers!!

I use these on my computer to protect it!!  Here are the Hyper-Libks Below;


"Lavasoft ~ Ad-Aware Free Downloads!"


"Spybot-S&D ~ Free Downloads!"


"Spy Sweeper ~ Free Downloads!"


"All-in-One SECRETMAKER ~ Free Downloads!"




This one Below cost some money, it's worth it and Great!


"Norton AntiVirus Professional 2004"




I use all of the above and they are wonderful!!


Love Always,  \o/  

MsGuidedAngel