Topic: OT - Recommendations for Ad Blocking Software (Read 3334 times)

LonWar · « **on:** December 03, 2005, 06:01:46 pm »

Hello All,

I am using the trial of Adscleaner and it seems like a realy good product. Once the trial is over it's 35us to buy..

Does anybody have any recommendations on a good ad blocking product? Does anybody have experience with this one?

Thanks,

PS: Please no Browser recommendations, I am using IE7 and I like it,

KingSparta · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2005, 06:04:21 pm »

Norton Internet Security 2006 (It blocks Ads, Spam, Viruses, Trojans)

And

The Free Microsoft Anti Spy Software

LonWar · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2005, 06:14:21 pm »

Quote from: KingSparta on December 03, 2005, 06:04:21 pm

The Free Microsoft Anti Spy Software

This stops spyware, But it doesn't block banner ads...
Norton is a good program, but it's a little pricey, I just need it to block the ads,

Thanks,

Mr ChriZ · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2005, 06:18:57 pm »

My Sister is queen when it comes to catching this stuff.
No matter what Ad-blocking stuff I put in her path she trampled
it down within a month and gets her computer in deep doo-doo.
I tried different browsers including FF,
and she even managed to infect FF with stuff( although i do have to say
it was a da*n site easier to clean afterwards)...
Anyhow my current investigations have led me to three things
1.Avast Anti Virus for the virus side of things
2.SpywareBlaster + SpywareGuard for the spyware side of things...
but 3... and most importantly...
Setting up a Windows Hosts file
This is found under %Windir%\System32\drivers\etc
and theres a site out there (google search it), which is devoted
to maintaining a very big list of no no sites/IP addresses, whilst at the same time NOT
destroying your general browsing capabilities which comes as a prebuilt hosts file.
Sometimes it requires a little tweaking for current networking however
the sites quite helpful...

Anyhow 6 months on... and her computers not picked up so much
as an extra toolbar, a virus or anything, yet she's glued to the machine more than I am,
so either it's working or she's stopped going to dodgy sites. Who knows?

All of these are free btw.

-Edit-
Generally the hosts file will majorly help with blocking ad's...
On mine it even blocks ad's on Yahoo's site

edbro · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2005, 06:20:55 pm »

The only way I'd use IE (which I rarely do nowadays) is in conjunction with Proxomitron. This is the absolute best. Look here:
http://www.proxomitron.info/files/

KingSparta · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:35:46 pm »

not sure why you need to block banner ads, they are not intrusive like pop ups are.

and they help support the site if someone click on them or else you may see the free programs you use costing you money.

LonWar · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:38:18 pm »

Quote from: KingSparta on December 03, 2005, 07:35:46 pm

not sure why you need to block banner ads, they are not intrusive like pop ups are.

and they help support the site if someone click on them or else you may see the free programs you use costing you money.

I agree, But there are some sites that overdue it, Your site for instance has minimal advertising, and what you have there is not obtrusive, there are other sites that go over board.

It's just a preferance thing.

KingSparta · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:40:15 pm »

Quote

there are other sites that go over board.

I agree

GHammer · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2005, 11:43:04 pm »

Get Ad Muncher and be done with it.

I see many people think that using a modified hosts file is the way to go. But, that introduces a number of issues that many don't consider. And then you have to maintain the file, IP addresses do change.

I've ran Ad Muncher here for months now and simply do not have problems with popups, ads, etc. In any browser.

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2005, 12:58:21 am »

I use a modified Host file.

I also use a product called HostsMan to manage the file. It has the ability to download and update your host file from a number of sites that maintain a predefined host file. You can also setup a list of sites that you may not want included in your host file as well as sites that you do.

I also use a product called eDexter that is basically a mini web server. Your host file redirects requests to 127.0.0.1. eDexter gets the request and serves an image in place of the ad.
This can speed up your surfing since you are not waiting for ad/image servers counters etc..

The nice thing about this setup is that it is free, easy to maintain and also can provide protection against other spy/malware besides just blocking ads.

GHammer · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2005, 11:25:22 am »

Any Malware/Spyware can easily modify the Hosts file at will, even if it is set to read-only. Frequently Malware/Spyware uses the Hosts file to redirect your browser to other sites. CoolWebSearch hijackers are masters at altering read-only ("locked down") Hosts files. They can also redirect Windows to use a Hosts file that has nothing to do with the one you keep updating.

But if it makes people happy...

bjevers · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2005, 12:10:56 pm »

Quote from: GHammer on December 03, 2005, 11:43:04 pm

Get Ad Muncher and be done with it.

I second this. I have run this program for a long time and it's great.

http://www.admuncher.com/

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2005, 12:14:14 pm »

I didn't say I only use the host file for protection against mal/spyware.
I happen to find it effective in reducing the number of ads I see.
As a byproduct it speeds up browsing and provides a layer of protection.
Does it open a potential hole? Yes I suppose but so does IE. I don't mean this statement as an IE vs FF vs Opera debate starting point just that when we install all kinds of software we are opeening ourselves up to potential problems.
I also run up to date anti spyware/anti virus products as part of a layered security approach to hopefully protect me.

I have three kids, preteen and teen, each with their own computers and I have not seen an infection on any of our home computers.

Sartre · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:12:51 pm »

You could modify the XP security permissions of the hosts file to read only for everyone. I doubt if any malware will bypass that.

GHammer · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:33:14 pm »

Quote from: Sartre on December 04, 2005, 05:12:51 pm

You could modify the XP security permissions of the hosts file to read only for everyone. I doubt if any malware will bypass that.

I'm curious. What is the size of the hosts file you use?

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #15 on:** December 04, 2005, 10:39:19 pm »

My current host file has 41123 entries.
You must remember to turn off the DNS client service or your system will run like crap with this many entries but other than that there are no performance issues.

Sartre · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2005, 03:47:15 am »

Quote from: GHammer on December 04, 2005, 05:33:14 pm

I'm curious. What is the size of the hosts file you use?

I just updated mine today from MVPS and it's ~10000 line (360KB).

GHammer · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2005, 09:27:56 am »

Well, like I said, if it makes people happy.
However, since it is presented as a method of blocking malware/ads/whatever, then the downside should be explained too.

If I'm looking for malware on a system, one of the things I'm going to check is the hosts file. With that many entries, a bad entry isn't going to jump out like it does in a 'default' file.

Who decides that this or that IP needs to be blocked? Who follows DNS when the bad servers change IPs? What about shared servers, like my site which is hosted with 100s of others on a single IP?

You say there is no impact on your system, but I'd disagree. First you will do a lookup in that hosts file for each address you want to visit (ever watch how many named links are in some pages?). If the site is not 'resolved' in your hosts file you will then use your NIC to ask your ISPs DNS server for the info. Repeat for each image, include, etc on a page.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318803

Sorry, you either take the hit for the DNS cache or you take the hit for repeated lookups.

I'll stick with Ad Muncher and my normal antivirus and anti spy/malware tools.

Krazykanuck · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2005, 10:36:15 am »

In the case of the host file I use, hpguru's, the contents are controled by said person. He also runs a forum where you can request additions or deletions from the file. So in summary hpguru controls the file but what makes up the file is a community effort.
If ad.doubleclick.net changes it's IP I really could care less since I am resolving the name to my local machine.
Since we are dealing with name resolution I don't think it matters how many sites are hosted at a particular IP.
As for the performance I understand what you are saying and it was a concern when I decided to try using a host file. It may be the sites that I frequent but I find my browsing much faster with the host file in place and the DNS cache turned off.

I am not trying to say that everyone should be using a host file or that products like admuncher are a waste of money.
My setup just happens to work for me. Having 5 systems here to protect makes cost a factor as well.

bebop · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2005, 01:06:44 pm »

Hi gamer!! I use Avast and Microsoft anti spyware...no problems...use Firefox as my browser.

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Author Topic: OT - Recommendations for Ad Blocking Software (Read 3334 times)