Re: Help! How do I get my name back? -> Firewalls -> Ad blockers
 

Bah! The features of the relatively new Mozilla sound much more useful in controlling spam and popups than any of the other big names. Consider switching to that, especially since it's controlled by normal USERS, not Yet Another Corporate Big Brother who will not dare to put features into a web browser that would really hinder advertising or consumer 'profiling' (and tick off their buddies in the Other Corporate Big Brother entities...)

But failing that (and I admit that I'm still using IE 5.5 even though Mozilla sounds cool -- it's hard to switch from one major program to another...) I recommend PROXOMITRON to stop popups and lots of other dreck that you don't want interrupting your browsing sessions. It's a completely configurable and FREE local proxy that you can get from numerous locations and it has a dedicated Yahoo group where experts continually talk about the latest tricks used by sleazy website operators to get around filters, and they post updated filters to counter them! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Proxomitron is really a very powerful little program, with a complete pattern matching language that lets you do lots of fancy custom things. Incoming or outgoing HTML and Java can be inspected and changed 'in transit' to kill snooping or customize the look of every page to your liking. Cookies can be intercepted or modified in transit (in or out!) too. You can spoof your browser ID, your OS, any cookie contents you wish, and lots of other good stuff. You can give it lists of sites to 'turn off' or 'turn on' certain filters with, as well, so it can be completely customized to your own browsing habits. Since so many SE IV Users are more dedicated to modding than playing, I'm sure many of you will also like programming Proxomitron to counter website weenies. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ October 26, 2002, 03:49: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]

Re: Help! How do I get my name back? -> Firewalls -> Ad blockers
 

Hello Baron http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

My only real issue with the "new" programs is the potential conflict with my system. Often they are buggy. Often there is little in the way of instructions. If a problem develops, there may not be a manual to refer to.

"The Big Name" software certainly have their deficiencies, but generally they have instructions, a manual explaining their software, and "usually" have fairly good support.

However, if a "secure and independant source of information" such as PC Magazine or Dotto's Data Cafe (TV program) recommends the software, my ears pick up and I will often try it.

An example is Ad-aware! It was recommended by both the the above-named information sources. I tried it and found it to be exceptional and met the praises they lavished on it.

These recommendations and my own personal experience with the software meant that I have no qualms about recommending it to others.

And the fact that it is free is a bonus! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif