Ad Blocking Resources
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IE-SPYAD: Ad/Spy List for Internet Explorer
IE-SPYAD Last Updated: 11-3-01
IE-SPYAD contains a Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) which will add a long list of known ad/spy servers and domains to the "Restricted Zone" of Internet Explorer. Once IE-ADS.REG is "merged" into your Registry, most ad/spy servers will not be able to resort to the usual "tricks" (e.g., cookies, JavaScript, popups, et al) that they use in order to track and monitor your behavior while you surf the Net.
Please note that IE-ADS.REG will not cause Internet Explorer to block banner ads. This list of known ad/spy servers and domains merely blocks the cookies typically attached to banner ads. It also prevents the use of ActiveX, Java, and scripting by these servers and domains.
This "Restricted Zone" list is based on info from the latest HOSTS file of Stephen Martin (http://www.smartin-designs.com/).
Compatibility:
This ad/spy server "Restricted Zone" list can be used with the following versions of Internet Explorer:
- Internet Explorer 6.0
- Internet Explorer 5.5 (incl. SP1 & SP2)
- Internet Explorer 5.01 (incl. SP1 & SP2)
- Internet Explorer 5.0
- Internet Explorer 4.01 (incl. SP1 & SP2)
- Internet Explorer 4.0
Note: this file works only with Internet Explorer; it will have no effect whatsoever on Netscape Navigator/Communicator.
Internet Explorer 6.0:
I have been looking into how IE-SPYAD's "Restricted Zone" list works with Internet Explorer 6.0. The tests that I have conducted with Internet Explorer 6.0 and IE-SPYAD indicate that IE-SPYAD will work fine with Internet Explorer 6.0. IE-SPYAD adds its list of servers and domains to the "Restricted Zone" of IE 6.0 and successfully "restricts" sites and domains just as it did with earlier versions of Internet Explorer.
While Internet Explorer 6.0 does add new settings to control cookies (Tools >> Internet Options... >> Privacy), these new controls and options do not interfere with IE-SPYAD. In short, IE-SPYAD's "Restricted Zone" list takes precedence over the new Privacy tab cookie control settings (which pertain only to the "Internet Zone"); IE-SPYAD will block cookies from its sites and domains no what a user's Privacy tab settings may be. There is no need to add IE-SPYAD's list of domains and servers to the custom "Web Sites" list on the Privacy tab in IE6.
If you are interested in the tests I have run with IE-SPYAD's and IE6, you can read my "preliminary findings" HERE. That page details still other approaches and solutions that IE6 users can take to protect their privacy from unwanted cookies of advertisers and marketers.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- IE-SPYAD.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\IE-SPYAD).
- IE-SPYAD.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
For more information on installing and using this "Restricted Zone" list, IE-ADS.REG, consult the ReadMe.txt included in the package. To view ReadMe.txt online, click HERE.
An uninstall file (IE-ADS-UNINST.REG) is included.
Configuration of Internet Explorer:
After you merge IE-ADS.REG into the Registry, make sure that your settings for the "Restricted Zone" in Internet Explorer are configured for maximum paranoia (i.e., set everything to "Disable" or "Prompt").
Uninstall Previous Versions:
If you have installed a previous version of IE-ADS.REG, you should uninstall the old version before installing the new version. Use the uninstall file (IE-ADS-UNINST.REG) supplied with the old version of IE-ADS.REG to remove the old version. For more information, check the ReadMe.txt.
Download:
IE-SPYAD.EXE 61 KB IE-SPYAD.ZIP 24 KB
IE-SPYAD Last Updated: 11-3-01
AGNIS: @Guard/NIS Ad Block List
AGNIS Last Updated: 11-3-01
AGNIS contains a set of customized ad block lists for @Guard and Norton Internet Security 2000/2001. These block lists are much more extensive than the default ad block lists shipped with either program. AGNIS includes both a "full" and "lite" version of this customized ad block list for each application:
- @Guard: AG-ADS.REG and AG-LITE.REG
- NIS 2000/2001: NIS-ADS.REG and NIS-LITE.REG
The block lists are based on info from the latest HOSTS file of Stephen Martin (http://www.smartin-designs.com/).
Batch File Utility Included:
Also included with AGNIS is a batch file utility (AGNIS.BAT) which can be used to install the appropriate version of the new ad block list. AGNIS.BAT can also be used to perform a number of other functions with ad block lists. Please see the ReadMe.txt shipped with AGNIS for more information.
Compatibility:
The block lists included with AGNIS are compatible with the following versions of @Guard or Norton Internet Security 2000/2001:
- @Guard 3.x
- NIS 2001 3.0
- NIS 2001 2.5
- NIS 2000 2.0
- NIS 2000 1.0
AGNIS & NIS 2002 v. 4.0
AGNIS is not compatible with the newly released Norton Internet Security 2002 v. 4.0 and should not be installed on NIS 2002 v. 4.0. At this time I am looking into the feasibility of converting AGNIS for use with NIS 2002.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- AGNIS.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\AGNIS).
- AGNIS.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
For more information on installing and using the files contained with AGNIS consult ReadMe.txt file. To view ReadMe.txt online, click HERE.
Uninstall Previous Block Lists:
If you have installed a previous version of one of the block lists supplied with AGNIS, you should uninstall that old block list before installing one of the new versions. To clear out the old block list, use the AGNIS.BAT batch file utility before installing a more recent block list.
Updates:
On October 17, 2001, the AGNIS.BAT batch file utility was updated. In this update AGNIS.BAT was changed so that the current ad block list will be automatically backed up if no backup block list is detected.
On October 14, 2001, the AGNIS block lists were updated. In this update new versions of the block lists were included. These new versions (known as "Straight" versions) were created by stripping out redundant or overlapping entries, resulting in smaller files. No new entries were added to any of the block lists. The "Original" versions of the block lists are still included in the download files. Please see the ReadMe.txt for more details on all the various versions of the block lists now included in the download package.
On April 29, 2001, the AGNIS.BAT batch file utility was updated. In this update the menus were re-worked for readability. No functionality was added or removed.
Download:
AGNIS.EXE 107 KB AGNIS.ZIP 69 KB
AGNIS Last Updated: 11-3-01
Credits & Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to Christian Haagensen and David Stockbridge for their invaluable help in putting together this ad blocking package.
Thanks also go to "Cosmos," a moderator in the Agnitum Outpost forums, for the scripts used to produce the "Straight" versions of the AGNIS block lists. "Cosmos" originally created the scripts in order to convert the AGNIS block lists for use with Agnitum's Outpost firewall. You can find the Outpost versions of AGNIS in this thread on the Agnitum support groups:
http://www.agnitum.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=4342
AGNIS for Outpost: Outpost Ad Block List
AGNIS for Outpost Last Updated: 11-3-01
The following Outpost block lists are ports of the AGNIS block list for AtGuard and NIS (see the AGNIS section above on this page).
WARNING: For the time being and for all ads lists, EXCEPT the Outpost default (integrated) one, the following should be considered BEFORE proceeding to import them:
- These lists are not provided by Agnitum. One of the consequences of this is that problems encountered, using an imported list, should/are not considered Outpost bugs. See below for further info.
- Imported lists are provided as-is. By importing them you agree that if possible problems/damages arise then neither Agnitum nor the list's author/maintainer/provider will be held responsible.
- Since problems associated with imported list are not considered as bugs, refrain from posting in the Outpost Bug reports forum.
- Finally, have a look at the "Ad Blocking Trick Outpost FAQ":
http://www.agnitum.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=893Ports of the AGNIS block lists for Outpost were originally posted in the Agnitum Support forum for Outpost:
- "Ad Blocker File"
http://www.agnitum.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=486- "Ads plugin: New lists and related info"
http://www.agnitum.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=4342They are available on this page courtesy of "Cosmos."
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- AGNIS-OP.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\AGNIS-OP).
- AGNIS-OP.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
For more information on installing and using the files contained with AGNIS for Outpost consult the "Ad Blocking Trick Outpost FAQ."
Download:
AGNIS-OP.EXE 48 KB AGNIS-OP.ZIP 10 KB
AGNIS for Outpost Last Updated: 11-3-01
Credits & Acknowledgements:
Credit goes to "Cosmos," a moderator in the Agnitum Outpost forums, for the scripts used to produce the Outpost versions of the AGNIS block lists.
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© 2000, 2001 Eric L. Howes (eburger68@yahoo.com)