[tip] Security: Controlling internet snoops and pop-ups

[lemonadesoda]

Had enough pop-ups? Getting on your nerves? Don't want www.google-analytics.com watching your every move? Worried about rogue javascript etc.?

I've recently installed this: HostsMan (incl. server). http://www.abelhadigital.com/

You can stop all sorts of rubbish using the standard hosts ban lists offered by linked servers, or indeed add your own exclusions.

Here is a list of rubbish that was trying to track me just a few minutes ago. HostsMan server logged and blocked them

[WarEagleAU]

thanks lemon, Ill give this a go.

[infrared]

looks similar to peer guardian. Thanks lemon

[oli_ramsay]

Thanks, but could you give me a quick guide how to use it

EDIT:

NVM figured it out Nifty little tool! Nice find

[WarEagleAU]

Peer Guardian is more or less along the lines of P2P I think this is more so for surfing

[lemonadesoda]

It's very easy. Just download the install file. I am using the lastest HostsMan 3.2.70 beta and it seems OK to me even though they warn about unstable beta status etc.


When installing, choose the following options:


Once installed, open the server, and START it:


Set the following options:

And minimise.

With HostsMan:


Select check for updates:

And update to latest.

I have set it up as follows:


Now it is up and running, you can add extra sites to block, as follows:



Dont forget to:
1. SAVE, and
2. FLUSH DNS

It's really easy. You get a pop-up you dont want, and you just block it. And you can look at the server log file to see what it has blocked. This works very well with IE's security levels and trusted sites. I get a pop-up each time a naughty site tries to steal some click info. I then BAN the site.

There you go... Hope that helps!

[Polarman]

I think a simple hostfile can do the same thing.

Like this thing:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

[oli_ramsay]

Originally Posted by lemonadesoda

....

There you go... Hope that helps!

Very much so, thanks!

10 internets for you!

[lemonadesoda]

Originally Posted by Polarman

I think a simple hostfile can do the same thing.

?? er, this is a hostfile editor, with autoupdate of bad servers, AND ability to easily manage the hostfiles including a redirect server so that webpages dont just disappear but will be logged, show up as "blocked", showing your own message, and showing your own "image" is that is what is being blocked. The utility is feature-rich.

Your comment is like someone suggesting a HexEditor for editing a binary file, and you saying notepad.exe can do the same thing!

[IggSter]

Originally Posted by Polarman

I think a simple hostfile can do the same thing.

Like this thing:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

You are 100% correct, however this app is a GUI frontend for managing your hosts file and will auto grab the latest updates from the web if so configured (among other neat features like flushing DNS cache etc).

[Polarman]

Similar to HostsXpert then.

BTW, i'm pretty sure that they get the same hostfile from the site i pointed out.