IE-SPYAD Update! 2004-03-07

[Crockett]

http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

IE-SPYAD is a Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) that adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer. Once this list of sites and domains is "merged" into your Registry, most marketers, advertisers, and crapware pushers on the Net will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they be able to use your browser to push unwanted pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on you.

[whittler5656]

Is this a necessary thing to do? If some spyware is on my computer, what does it hurt? I have had no problem that I know of.

[sj1183]

Originally posted by Crockett
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

IE-SPYAD is a Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) that adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer. Once this list of sites and domains is "merged" into your Registry, most marketers, advertisers, and crapware pushers on the Net will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they be able to use your browser to push unwanted pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on you.

Thanks bro.:D
Take care.

[Crockett]

Originally posted by whittler5656
Is this a necessary thing to do? If some spyware is on my computer, what does it hurt? I have had no problem that I know of.
Spyware can slow down your computer as it can use up memory and it's an invasion of privacy.
Have you ever heard of people here having their homepage or computer hijacked?...one really good way to combat that is by putting undesirable sites into your Restricted sites zone so that they can't run bad scripts to do so.

What is Spyware and why is it harmful? (http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/spyware/)

[whittler5656]

Crockett
Thank you for your reply. I will re read the IE-SPYAD web site & do what you recamend.:)

[Crockett]

You're welcome. The whole idea is that it forces these sites into your Restricted Zone where Security settings are either prompts or Disabled...and when it comes to scripting and ActiveX, this is extremely important.
Think of it this way...take any free program off the internet and download it. When a user double clicks on that file and runs it, it is installing that on your computer and there ain't no stopping it.
Now take that same concept and go to a website that uses dirty tactics with ActiveX. It will do the same thing and the results can be trojans and/or a hijacked computer.

[whittler5656]

Crockett.
Wy wife & I have been reading & giving the potential for problems a lot of thouhgt. We believe we have just been luckey thus far. The reason we hesitate is your warning to beware of freeware sites that we do not know. Well IE-SPYAD is a freeware site. We have been reading your thinking in WorldStart for over a year now, & you have taught us to be careful:). We have never messed with the Registry that we know of, and it scary to think about doing it.

[Crockett]

These are Registry (.reg) files that are merged just by double clicking on them. You are not going into the Registry. These actions are done from Windows Explorer.
I just double click on the file highlighted in my attachment and it makes the changes in the Registry for you.
If you don't feel it's for you, I understand, but if you want to try it, I will help you. Either way is OK with me. :)