IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES - Club CD Freaks

**xtacydima** · 06-09-2004

If anyone has been keeping track of this thread in the Living Room, this is the official continuation of it here, where as of this point I feel it is more appropriate to post.

Basically, the goal of this file, a .reg file, which after downloading and double clicking basically adds a comprehensive list of websites with known tracking spyware into the override cookie handling area of Internet Exporer, by placing itself into the appropriate section of the registry. When Internet Explorer (IE) navigates to those websites, it will automatically block those malicious tracking cookies.

This is great for the 56ker's because the file is so small its a little over half a megabyte, and even at slowest connection you can download it in full in under just a minute. Being so small, another advantage is its very portable, carry it via floppy, or keep it uploaded on any free e-mail account for immediate access from any location... its just that simple.

If you want to try this mehtod, download the file and report here on any succes or failure. Ad-Aware/Spy-bot & all others should come up clean each time.
NOTE: This only helps to deter cookie spyware, it does not help if you download any software on-line from pop-ups or executable files that install malicious software such as weatherbug, sexlists, internet optimizer... etc...

OK, heard enough... wanna try it...

Download it HERE

Whats that... not an IE user, well, there is another solution for you. Another way to do this, making it more global, and open for any Internet browsing sofwtare such as AOL, Netscape, Mozilla, Firefox, Opera... etc... is by placing these websites in what is called your HOSTS file. All you need to do is copy and paste the addresses after the last blank line in the HOSTS file.

The HOSTS file is located in the following windows path (for 2k/XP):
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
--You might need to enable hidden files to see it

You will need to double click it and open it with Notepad. Then copy/paste the entire contents of the file below.

HOSTS FILE

Curious to see what exactly is is you are blocking... well its only fair to ask, if you have MS Excel, you can see the entire list HERE.

AHA, don't have Excel... I see... fine, fine here it is in NotePad HERE.

If anyone wants screen shots with directions on how to do any of the above tasks don't hesitate to ask. Editing the HOSTS file is not something the average everyday user does so speak up if you need to.

ENJOY ALL!!!

**xtacydima** · 10-09-2004

Added 1 more reported bug to list (thx Portmac)

fastfind.org

I will not update the NotePad and Excel List until I get a handful of listing to add.

Comming soon... HOSTS guide!!!

**xtacydima** · 10-09-2004

also added banners.dot.tk to the list

Note:
AOL users, you will need to remove aol.com from this list in order to check webmail.

**xtacydima** · 10-09-2004

How to manage the IE Cookie Override List

This is really easy, and all it takes are 3 easy steps!!!

Step 1:

Start Internet Explorer - Look for the famous blue icon of a letter "e" on your desktop or on your Start Menu taskbar

Step 2:

Click on the Tools menu bar, and select "Internet options" (last option)

Step 3:

Click the "Privacy" Tab, then the "Edit" button on the new screen.

Thats all there is to it, now you have a small new window where all management of cookies are possible.

You can add to this list, or remove present ones from the list.

Hostile_Monk · 10-09-2004

Is this really relevant considering the new built in feature of a pop up blocker in IE that comes along with SP2? Just wondering how it compares.

**Womble** · 10-09-2004

The popup blocker in SP2 as far as I know only stops windows from being displayed. It dosn't stop cookies from being downloaded.

Mr. Belvedere · 10-09-2004

I dunno why but since i installed that reg file of yours my surfing speeds look boosted

DiiZzY · 10-09-2004

What qualifies as "spyware cookies"?
Ad-aware calls about any cookie for that so I'm curious what this really "blocks".
As for performance there isn't a difference, rather a slowdown than a speed up if any.
//Danne

ckin2001 · 10-09-2004

the nature of the hosts file means there is a speedup, even if its a small one. the browser always looks in the hosts file when processing information within an html file - so everything that appears in the hosts file is one less request sent over the internet.

if looking locally is slower than getting info from the internet - your internet connection is insane

**xtacydima** · 10-09-2004

I have been using an amazing popupblocker for 3 years now. Womble is absolutely correct, pop-ups are not the only thing that cause cookies to be downloaded. And IE level settings are not very helpful either. The override list seems to be more brute force however.

I haven't done testing on it yet, an i ts very hard with broadband to try to see a difference in speed, so I can't comment on boosts in speed, although I would imagine since this method ALSO blocks some banners there can only be an improvement rather than a slowdown.

What qualifies as spyware cookies are cookies that return information to the host site AFAIK, I do not know hwo they work in complete depth, good thing we have ad-aware and spy-bot for this, but even a small return of info would cause a slowdown as well, especially for the 56ker's... lets face it not everyone has broadband yet, and even if they do, why have any decrease at all.

DiiZzY · 11-09-2004

@ ckin2001
Uhm, the browser writes a cookie and I would indeed call that "local" access and if you have lets say 1000 entries you'll notice a slowdown since I doubt that IE has a cache for this function and you'll still be looking up each link.
//Danne

**xtacydima** · 11-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiZzY

@ ckin2001
Uhm, the browser writes a cookie and I would indeed call that "local" access and if you have lets say 1000 entries you'll notice a slowdown since I doubt that IE has a cache for this function and you'll still be looking up each link.
//Danne

I suspect that if you use the HOSTS method which I will try posting a small guide to it might be a slight slow-down. I am unsure if the PC checks against all 1000 entries but I doubt it, I can verify this from a reliable source by next week.

If you use the .reg file and integrate the list into IE it will boost the process.
--Why, well IE immediately checks for a cookie as soon as DNS is resolved and a connection to the remote host is achieved. This is why when you save your local data into a cookie you are always (or so it seems) logged into various websites without ever again being prompted for passwords and nicks. If this is rejected the website loads, if a cookie is accepted, it must be verified, its contents might be updated if need be, and if it is a spyware cookie an exchange of information occurs. This takes much more time than an immediate rejection of the cookie, because more happens in the process.

There seems to be the impression that all entries are checked against before a block is made. This would of course imply a slowdown. However, this is not the case I assure you. By no means can this possibly slow you down. Some meber here already see this. try it on dial up and you will really see a difference, just by the ads blocked alone

Hope that clears it up some.

**xtacydima** · 11-09-2004

Adding the list to your HOSTS file

Q. Why you would wanna do this?

A. By adding the list of known sites to your HOSTS file, any browser you use, outside of IE (including IE itself) will block Spyware cookies from making their way into your PC. In other words, it will make this procedure GLOBAL, leaving windows and your network card to take care of it. This is especially useful for AOL users which use an internal form of IE browser, and integration of the .reg file is not possible.

Q. How to do it?

A. Well, follow the list of the few steps it takes, but be careful, messing up the HOSTS file can cause problems and many internet related issues. Be very cautious of where the cursor is before you copy/paste.

Step 1:
Click above to view the HOSTS file via Notepad (or click HERE). A huge list should open with many websites listed. You will need to highlight them all, and do a copy by right clicking and "copy" or keyboard shortcut (ctrl + c).

Step 2:
You must enable hidden files. Open Windows Explorer (Right click "My Computer" and choose explore) or use Windows Keyboard shortcut (Window Key + e). Click Tools Menu, and select "Folder Options" to get a new window. Click the "View" tab. Scroll (if needed) down the Advanced settings list until you see a radio button for "Show hidden files" and make sure it is circled in, if not, click it to make it circled in. Click "Apply" button and then "OK" button.

Step 3:
Navigate to the following path in Windows Explorer:
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc

You will typically see 5 files here, with no extension association to them, double click the file that reads "hosts" and choose notepad to open this type of file.

The last entry in the list is very commonly:
127.0.0.1 localhost

click the cursor at the end of this line and hit the enter key 3 times or so, leaving some extra space. Now we are ready to do a paste (right click "paste") or Keyboard shortcut (ctrl + v).

The entire list should now be in your HOSTS file, click "file" then choose save and close notepad.

Thats all there is to it. Now whenever you need to add something to the HOSTS file, you can just add it to the bottom of that list, following the format seen by all the listings I have as an example.

All of these steps take use of basic Windows Skills and therefore I felt screenshots were uneccessary atm... if you have trouble doing this, feel free to post here for help.

Enjoy....

**xtacydima** · 11-09-2004

Registry Location of .reg file

You might be wondering, where is the .reg file acually kept in registry. Well, to answer this, read below and you will see.

For advanced users:

Start -> run -> regedit

Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
->Software
--->Microsoft
---->Windows
----->Current Version
------>Internet Settings
------->P3P
-------->History
--------->|...
--------->|...
--------->|...

For beginner users or mediocre users:

Warning: Using the registry and making modifications in the wrong place, deleting things, or playing around if you do not know what you are doing can be detremental to the health of your PC, and can really screw it up, even to the point of total failure, be VERY careful with this...

Step 1:
You will need to start the registry viewer/editor
Click on the "Start" button and "choose" Run command. Type "regedit" and hit "enter" on the keyboard. A new window will open up. You will see little plus denotations just like in Windows Explorer when you navigate through folders and sub-folders. You will need to click on these to navigate through the hierarchy to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER
->Software
--->Microsoft
---->Windows
----->Current Version
------>Internet Settings
------->P3P
-------->History
--------->|...
--------->|...
--------->|...
--------->|...
--------->|...

Step 2:
Just keep clicking the "+" sign until you get there and under the last step "History" you will see the long list of entries that Internet Explorer uses. I placed three dots where the listing starts.

It might be a fun thing to know or see for some of you, but be careful, don't poke around too much unles syou really know what you are doing.

ckin2001 · 13-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtacydima

I would imagine since this method ALSO blocks some banners there can only be an improvement rather than a slowdown.

this is what i was referring to. by servicing requests locally rather that across a network - time is saved. i highly doubt processing time is the bottleneck when rendering webpages.

using the word IE and speed doesnt work together :/

**xtacydima** · 13-09-2004

added kelkoo.co.uk to the list

this is the first hit I had on ad-aware since I started this list
:start date was 07-08-2004 (D/M/Y) format:

PeebZ · 14-09-2004

Hi Xtacydima

After running this reg file and adding all the sites to my hosts file I was unable to browse to my ISP www.xtra.co.nz.

Found the problem pretty quickly

Quote:

127.0.0.1 xtra.co.nz

is on the block list.

I feel this is a mistake as Xtra is New Zealands largest ISP ans is not some sort of ad server.

**xtacydima** · 14-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeebZ

Hi Xtacydima

After running this reg file and adding all the sites to my hosts file I was unable to browse to my ISP www.xtra.co.nz.

Found the problem pretty quickly is on the block list.

I feel this is a mistake as Xtra is New Zealands largest ISP ans is not some sort of ad server.

This is the one slight disadvantages of using a HOSTS file, perhaps I should have mentioned it. To answer you in short, Yes that website is an ad-server website. When usuing a HOSTS file the entire URL is blocked, when using my method of integrating it into IE, only the ads are blocked, see picture refernece below.

However, it can easily be fixed by doing exactly what you did, simply remove the blocked URL from the list and its all good to go.

DiiZzY · 14-09-2004

@ ckin2001
Rendering can be a bottleneck though even on fast computers.
I wonder why you even bother to do this though, if there's anything IE needs it's an adblockerlike the one for the Mozilla platform (plugin) and a popup blocker that works decently.
//Danne

**xtacydima** · 14-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiZzY

@ ckin2001
Uhm, the browser writes a cookie and I would indeed call that "local" access and if you have lets say 1000 entries you'll notice a slowdown since I doubt that IE has a cache for this function and you'll still be looking up each link.
//Danne

How do you determine this? Do you at least know what algorithms Windows uses, did you ever hear of Round Robin, or Open shortest path first, or first come first serve??? Did you ever program any of these?

Windows can easily go through thousands of entries, especially small short text, in <1sec with no cahcing or bloated lag. If you notice a slowdown you gotta be 100x fatser than superman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiZzY

@ ckin2001
Rendering can be a bottleneck though even on fast computers.
I wonder why you even bother to do this though, if there's anything IE needs it's an adblockerlike the one for the Mozilla platform (plugin) and a popup blocker that works decently.
//Danne

How will an adblocker block spyware cookies?

bcn_246 · 14-09-2004

is the reg file hear the latest? will there be a new one, i will go 1 day withot the reg file, scan with Ad-Aware, then 1 day with it and scan with Ad-Aware, see if it makes any difference. will let u know how i get on, thanks, ben

ckin2001 · 14-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiZzY

@ ckin2001
Rendering can be a bottleneck though even on fast computers.

@diizzy

no, not in the sense we are debating

DiiZzY · 15-09-2004

Instead of going all high and mighty how about answering my first question,
What qualifies as "spyware cookies"? - Do you blindly rely on Ad-Aware's list?
If the routine uses round robin you do belive that if you had let's say 10k entries it wouldn't be noticeable? Give it a go, and prove me wrong.
As for the adblock question I'm questioning the whole point about this "reg-file", I mean, you'll most likely never get rid of all "spyware cookies" even if you update frequently and you can spend the time on something better from my point of view.
Like doing a premade firewall configuration for "noobs" etc.
//Danne

ckin2001 · 15-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiZzY

As for the adblock question I'm questioning the whole point about this "reg-file", I mean, you'll most likely never get rid of all "spyware cookies"

these thoughts are related? blocking ads and blocking spyware cookies are distinct - but both can be accomplished through the use of the hosts file.

**xtacydima** · 15-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiZzY

Instead of going all high and mighty how about answering my first question,
What qualifies as "spyware cookies"? - Do you blindly rely on Ad-Aware's li

06-09-2004	#1 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES <a href='http://adstats.cdfreaks.com/www/delivery/ck.php?n=a13febf7&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://adstats.cdfreaks.com/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=30&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a13febf7' border='0' alt='' /></a> If anyone has been keeping track of this thread in the Living Room, this is the official continuation of it here, where as of this point I feel it is more appropriate to post. Basically, the goal of this file, a .reg file, which after downloading and double clicking basically adds a comprehensive list of websites with known tracking spyware into the override cookie handling area of Internet Exporer, by placing itself into the appropriate section of the registry. When Internet Explorer (IE) navigates to those websites, it will automatically block those malicious tracking cookies. This is great for the 56ker's because the file is so small its a little over half a megabyte, and even at slowest connection you can download it in full in under just a minute. Being so small, another advantage is its very portable, carry it via floppy, or keep it uploaded on any free e-mail account for immediate access from any location... its just that simple. If you want to try this mehtod, download the file and report here on any succes or failure. Ad-Aware/Spy-bot & all others should come up clean each time. NOTE: This only helps to deter cookie spyware, it does not help if you download any software on-line from pop-ups or executable files that install malicious software such as weatherbug, sexlists, internet optimizer... etc... OK, heard enough... wanna try it... Download it HERE Whats that... not an IE user, well, there is another solution for you. Another way to do this, making it more global, and open for any Internet browsing sofwtare such as AOL, Netscape, Mozilla, Firefox, Opera... etc... is by placing these websites in what is called your HOSTS file. All you need to do is copy and paste the addresses after the last blank line in the HOSTS file. The HOSTS file is located in the following windows path (for 2k/XP): C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc --You might need to enable hidden files to see it You will need to double click it and open it with Notepad. Then copy/paste the entire contents of the file below. HOSTS FILE Curious to see what exactly is is you are blocking... well its only fair to ask, if you have MS Excel, you can see the entire list HERE. AHA, don't have Excel... I see... fine, fine here it is in NotePad HERE. If anyone wants screen shots with directions on how to do any of the above tasks don't hesitate to ask. Editing the HOSTS file is not something the average everyday user does so speak up if you need to. ENJOY ALL!!! __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

10-09-2004	#2 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES Added 1 more reported bug to list (thx Portmac) fastfind.org I will not update the NotePad and Excel List until I get a handful of listing to add. Comming soon... HOSTS guide!!! __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

10-09-2004	#3 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES also added banners.dot.tk to the list Note: AOL users, you will need to remove aol.com from this list in order to check webmail. __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

10-09-2004	#4 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES How to manage the IE Cookie Override List This is really easy, and all it takes are 3 easy steps!!! Step 1: Start Internet Explorer - Look for the famous blue icon of a letter "e" on your desktop or on your Start Menu taskbar Step 2: Click on the Tools menu bar, and select "Internet options" (last option) Step 3: Click the "Privacy" Tab, then the "Edit" button on the new screen. Thats all there is to it, now you have a small new window where all management of cookies are possible. You can add to this list, or remove present ones from the list. __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

10-09-2004	#5 (permalink)
Hostile_Monk CD Freaks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 274	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES Is this really relevant considering the new built in feature of a pop up blocker in IE that comes along with SP2? Just wondering how it compares.

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10-09-2004	#6 (permalink)
Womble Section Administrator & Reviewer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: On a Spoon! Posts: 4,649	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES The popup blocker in SP2 as far as I know only stops windows from being displayed. It dosn't stop cookies from being downloaded. __________________ New and updated signature, for her pleasure!! Have you meet my friend? His name is Devils Advocate! You have been warned. My Review / Gaming PC <- It's getting old Join CDFreaks.Com for a chance to win a date with me. SERIOUSLY -> First 5 people to PM me something funny can see it here on 4,000+ posts. Ding Ding Ding. We have a winner. Step forward Shellie Mae!!!

10-09-2004	#7 (permalink)
Mr. Belvedere CD Freaks Guru Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Cthulhu Ninja Zombie Posts: 14,649	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES I dunno why but since i installed that reg file of yours my surfing speeds look boosted __________________ I might be evil. Want to make dvd movie backups? Take the 5-step or the 2-step process. Fun, fast and free!

10-09-2004	#8 (permalink)
DiiZzY CD Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nordic Region, Sweden Posts: 2,729	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES What qualifies as "spyware cookies"? Ad-aware calls about any cookie for that so I'm curious what this really "blocks". As for performance there isn't a difference, rather a slowdown than a speed up if any. //Danne

10-09-2004	#9 (permalink)
ckin2001 CD Freak Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Strongbadia Posts: 3,408	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES the nature of the hosts file means there is a speedup, even if its a small one. the browser always looks in the hosts file when processing information within an html file - so everything that appears in the hosts file is one less request sent over the internet. if looking locally is slower than getting info from the internet - your internet connection is insane __________________ www.livingwithoutmicrosoft.org last 5 cd's Avril Lavigne - Whatever the new one is called Lucky Boys Confusion - Throwing the Game lostprophets - Start Something Story of the Year - Page Avenue Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Don't let schooling interfere with your education. -Mark Twain

10-09-2004	#10 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES I have been using an amazing popupblocker for 3 years now. Womble is absolutely correct, pop-ups are not the only thing that cause cookies to be downloaded. And IE level settings are not very helpful either. The override list seems to be more brute force however. I haven't done testing on it yet, an i ts very hard with broadband to try to see a difference in speed, so I can't comment on boosts in speed, although I would imagine since this method ALSO blocks some banners there can only be an improvement rather than a slowdown. What qualifies as spyware cookies are cookies that return information to the host site AFAIK, I do not know hwo they work in complete depth, good thing we have ad-aware and spy-bot for this, but even a small return of info would cause a slowdown as well, especially for the 56ker's... lets face it not everyone has broadband yet, and even if they do, why have any decrease at all. __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

11-09-2004	#11 (permalink)
DiiZzY CD Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nordic Region, Sweden Posts: 2,729	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES @ ckin2001 Uhm, the browser writes a cookie and I would indeed call that "local" access and if you have lets say 1000 entries you'll notice a slowdown since I doubt that IE has a cache for this function and you'll still be looking up each link. //Danne

11-09-2004	#13 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES Adding the list to your HOSTS file Q. Why you would wanna do this? A. By adding the list of known sites to your HOSTS file, any browser you use, outside of IE (including IE itself) will block Spyware cookies from making their way into your PC. In other words, it will make this procedure GLOBAL, leaving windows and your network card to take care of it. This is especially useful for AOL users which use an internal form of IE browser, and integration of the .reg file is not possible. Q. How to do it? A. Well, follow the list of the few steps it takes, but be careful, messing up the HOSTS file can cause problems and many internet related issues. Be very cautious of where the cursor is before you copy/paste. Step 1: Click above to view the HOSTS file via Notepad (or click HERE). A huge list should open with many websites listed. You will need to highlight them all, and do a copy by right clicking and "copy" or keyboard shortcut (ctrl + c). Step 2: You must enable hidden files. Open Windows Explorer (Right click "My Computer" and choose explore) or use Windows Keyboard shortcut (Window Key + e). Click Tools Menu, and select "Folder Options" to get a new window. Click the "View" tab. Scroll (if needed) down the Advanced settings list until you see a radio button for "Show hidden files" and make sure it is circled in, if not, click it to make it circled in. Click "Apply" button and then "OK" button. Step 3: Navigate to the following path in Windows Explorer: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc You will typically see 5 files here, with no extension association to them, double click the file that reads "hosts" and choose notepad to open this type of file. The last entry in the list is very commonly: 127.0.0.1 localhost click the cursor at the end of this line and hit the enter key 3 times or so, leaving some extra space. Now we are ready to do a paste (right click "paste") or Keyboard shortcut (ctrl + v). The entire list should now be in your HOSTS file, click "file" then choose save and close notepad. Thats all there is to it. Now whenever you need to add something to the HOSTS file, you can just add it to the bottom of that list, following the format seen by all the listings I have as an example. All of these steps take use of basic Windows Skills and therefore I felt screenshots were uneccessary atm... if you have trouble doing this, feel free to post here for help. Enjoy.... __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!! Last edited by xtacydima; 11-09-2004 at 09:33.

11-09-2004	#14 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES Registry Location of .reg file You might be wondering, where is the .reg file acually kept in registry. Well, to answer this, read below and you will see. For advanced users: Start -> run -> regedit Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER ->Software --->Microsoft ---->Windows ----->Current Version ------>Internet Settings ------->P3P -------->History --------->\|... --------->\|... --------->\|... For beginner users or mediocre users: Warning: Using the registry and making modifications in the wrong place, deleting things, or playing around if you do not know what you are doing can be detremental to the health of your PC, and can really screw it up, even to the point of total failure, be VERY careful with this... Step 1: You will need to start the registry viewer/editor Click on the "Start" button and "choose" Run command. Type "regedit" and hit "enter" on the keyboard. A new window will open up. You will see little plus denotations just like in Windows Explorer when you navigate through folders and sub-folders. You will need to click on these to navigate through the hierarchy to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER ->Software --->Microsoft ---->Windows ----->Current Version ------>Internet Settings ------->P3P -------->History --------->\|... --------->\|... --------->\|... --------->\|... --------->\|... Step 2: Just keep clicking the "+" sign until you get there and under the last step "History" you will see the long list of entries that Internet Explorer uses. I placed three dots where the listing starts. It might be a fun thing to know or see for some of you, but be careful, don't poke around too much unles syou really know what you are doing. __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

13-09-2004	#16 (permalink)
xtacydima Moderator Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,794	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES added kelkoo.co.uk to the list this is the first hit I had on ad-aware since I started this list :start date was 07-08-2004 (D/M/Y) format: __________________ My Rig: Antec P160 P4 3.0E GHz running WinXP w/SP2 Scythe SCMN-1000 Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 (550W power supply) ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Motherboard 2GB RAM - Corsair XMS TWINX2048 (2x1GB) 3200C2Pro CL2.0 ATI RADEON X850XT AGP 2 - WD 37GB Raptor's (in RAID 0) via onboard Promise controller Western Digital 250GB SATA HDD on Primary SATA channel Western Digital 150GB SATA HDD on Secondary SATA channel Lite-On LTR-52246S 6S0F (IDE1 Master) Lite-On JLMS XJ-HD166S DS1C (IDE1 Slave) *NEC 3500AG 2.TC Quiet* (IDE2 Master) Lite-On SOHW 1673S JS07 (via USB 2.0 to IDE & set to Master)** Found a Solution here helpful? Like the forum's? Well then, what are you waiting for JOIN NOW!!!

14-09-2004	#19 (permalink)
DiiZzY CD Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nordic Region, Sweden Posts: 2,729	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES @ ckin2001 Rendering can be a bottleneck though even on fast computers. I wonder why you even bother to do this though, if there's anything IE needs it's an adblockerlike the one for the Mozilla platform (plugin) and a popup blocker that works decently. //Danne

14-09-2004	#21 (permalink)
bcn_246 Top Referrer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 3,520	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES is the reg file hear the latest? will there be a new one, i will go 1 day withot the reg file, scan with Ad-Aware, then 1 day with it and scan with Ad-Aware, see if it makes any difference. will let u know how i get on, thanks, ben __________________ Click HERE to join CDFreaks... do it or I will dead you.

15-09-2004	#23 (permalink)
DiiZzY CD Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nordic Region, Sweden Posts: 2,729	Re: IE .reg file to STOP SPYWARE COOKIES Instead of going all high and mighty how about answering my first question, What qualifies as "spyware cookies"? - Do you blindly rely on Ad-Aware's list? If the routine uses round robin you do belive that if you had let's say 10k entries it wouldn't be noticeable? Give it a go, and prove me wrong. As for the adblock question I'm questioning the whole point about this "reg-file", I mean, you'll most likely never get rid of all "spyware cookies" even if you update frequently and you can spend the time on something better from my point of view. Like doing a premade firewall configuration for "noobs" etc. //Danne