Messenger Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) I looked through the rules again and didnt notice any problem with posting this. I have noticed since getting a new higher speed connection (12Meg) that the ads on certain websites, including Hotmail, Yahoo and others are full of ads, which leave a lot of tracking cookies behind. Now, I dont mind the ads themselves, but slowing down my computer is not acceptable. And although I have some very good anti-virus software, cookies generally arent prevented from being dropped on my computer, and I have to clean them out later.So, after I installed my new DSL Modem/Wireless Router, I've been experimenting with the the router functions. I have a ZyXEL PK5000Z modem from Qwest. I built a table in the 'Advanced Modem' functions under Website Blocking. After playing around with it, I found out that by right clicking the ads that drop cookies, I can see what URL they came from, and could subsequently block them on my router. So far here is the table I built:yads.zedo.com adq.nextag.com img01.static-nextag.com nextag.com adfusion.com nextag.com healthheadlines.com srv.healthheadlines.com adchoices.com ads2.msads.net msads.net s0.2mdn.net media.match.com 2mdn.net ac3.msn.com yieldmanager.edgesuite.net adblade.com ads.yimg.com Home that helps you from getting too many tracking cookies on your computer. If you have any sites to add, please reply so I can build my database. Thanks! Edited July 6, 2011 by Messenger
urroner Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 On the Windows machine, there is a file called "hosts" that provides a quick reference table for converting URLs to IP addresses. Whenever the computer has to communicate with a site and it only has the URL, it first looks into the hosts file to see if it's in there. If it is, it can get the IP address there also. It saves time.But there is an IP address that routes the message back to the same computer so it doesn't go anywhere. 127.0.0.1 is that address.There are sites out on the internet that provide a hosts file with a lot of undesirable sites and the file gives them the 'self looping address.Here is one such site, they are all over the place, http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htmThis hosts file from these sites include a lot of sexual sites or sites that are known to have all sorts of nasty software that mess up your computer.I have even been known to add an address or two of sites my boys go to all the time. They get upset and tell me they can't get to the sites and all I have to say is "What do you want me to do about it? The site must be having problems." After a day or two, I delete the entry so they can get back to those sites. They haven't learnt this trick yet and I won't be telling them about it none too soon.BTW, be sure to get the hosts file from a reputable site and make sure that the file doesn't give a false address and redirects your computer to a false site.
frankenstein Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) i use what urroner post, I have 1.7mb file host file. It blocks most things, however, it also block hulu, abc, and the like, so I have to move the file if I want to watch episodes online. On every machine I have used a host file, I have had to disable DNS Client in "Services" otherwise the machine would never start up. Using the file host file, I have been able to block popunder ads as well. Currently use firefox, with adblock plus and flashblock addons. If you really want to get down to some nittygritty, in firefox clickTools --->Page Info--->Media. scroll the list of urls, find the adverts and block them.I also use ccleaner, with custom setting to delete the contents of the prefect folder not just old prefect items but all the contents of the prefect folder, and the recycler folder - a hidden folder on C:------------Tao, you are correct the file size is small, but without regular deleting, those files remain and begin to take up space. Messenger what browser(s) do you use? Edited July 7, 2011 by frankenstein
TAO Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) Messenger, the tracking files they attatch are really really small, really, I wouldn't worry about it.In terms of flash cookies, they can be found in the Hidden AppData folder under Romaing/Macromedia/Flash Player. From there, enter the #Shared Objects folder and go down folders as far as you can go, delete all that. Then go to the 'macromedia.com folder and go down like 3 or 4 subfolders and delete everything except 'settings.sol' in there.I'm not sure that these are all the tracking cookies websites use... in fact... they probably do more. I use them in my Flash Application for storing saved data, so if you do delete things, delete carefully as otherwise you will lose your preferences that were not stored online for flash apps.But as said, these are really tiny and are created by default whenever a flash app runs that needs to save preferences to your comp. Even this board uses them... nearly everyone does =).So I wouldn't worry about it too much... though you can delete them if you would like... they can be annoying, and tracking cookies are a bit creepy.But they will come back whenever you see an ad, I think. =|Hope this helps you =D.Best Wishes,TAO Edited July 7, 2011 by TAO
Messenger Posted July 7, 2011 Author Posted July 7, 2011 Tao,Actually it makes a big difference to me and the performance of my computer. I have a Gateway Desktop from 2000 - yep, its that old. Memory usage is a huge issue when it comes to performance. I dont even notice the problem on my Laptop, which is only 2 years old. When I remove tracking cookies manually, the performance shoot way up. So, why not block them before they get there?Mark
Messenger Posted July 7, 2011 Author Posted July 7, 2011 On the Windows machine, there is a file called "hosts" that provides a quick reference table for converting URLs to IP addresses. Whenever the computer has to communicate with a site and it only has the URL, it first looks into the hosts file to see if it's in there. If it is, it can get the IP address there also. It saves time.But there is an IP address that routes the message back to the same computer so it doesn't go anywhere. 127.0.0.1 is that address.There are sites out on the internet that provide a hosts file with a lot of undesirable sites and the file gives them the 'self looping address.Here is one such site, they are all over the place, http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htmThis hosts file from these sites include a lot of sexual sites or sites that are known to have all sorts of nasty software that mess up your computer.I have even been known to add an address or two of sites my boys go to all the time. They get upset and tell me they can't get to the sites and all I have to say is "What do you want me to do about it? The site must be having problems." After a day or two, I delete the entry so they can get back to those sites. They haven't learnt this trick yet and I won't be telling them about it none too soon.BTW, be sure to get the hosts file from a reputable site and make sure that the file doesn't give a false address and redirects your computer to a false site.This is interesting. Thanks. Im not sure a monster list blockable at the PC level is what I am looking for, I would rather block it at the network router level and actually know what I am blocking. However, there may be quite a few people that could use that information.I am also experimenting with a solution called OPENDNS. Its a Domain Name service that is supposed to be able to nix your ISP DNS settings, and route traffic to them instead. The idea is that they manage the huge list of ever changing sites to block, and also (which is why I am looking into it) have a way to keep IP traffic from being clamped down on by your ISP. So far, its not worked very well for me, but I am still adjusting it.
TAO Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) Tao,Actually it makes a big difference to me and the performance of my computer. I have a Gateway Desktop from 2000 - yep, its that old. Memory usage is a huge issue when it comes to performance. I dont even notice the problem on my Laptop, which is only 2 years old. When I remove tracking cookies manually, the performance shoot way up. So, why not block them before they get there?Mark0.o that is old... still... they are only a few kilobytes... but if they slow down your comp that much, yeah, you should delete em or block em.In any case, if it really is that slow, I would suggest adding some physical memory or temporary memory - which ever your comp needs. They are both decently priced (not super cheap nor super expensive), although I'm not sure if they still make them for Gateway Desktops from 2000.Best Wishes,TAO =)EDIT: I just rememberd an easy way to block them (though most ads won't let you have the option, and it does use a tiny bit of space). If the ads are running on Flash, you can right click on them and then click "Settings..." and then click the 3rd tab (Adobe Flash Player Settings) and lower the info down to "None". However, most ads don't allow you to access Settings, so you might have to figure out some other way to do that. In addition, you have to do it for each ad individually... unless there is another way... not sure. =P Edited July 7, 2011 by TAO
frankenstein Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 This is interesting. Thanks. Im not sure a monster list blockable at the PC level is what I am looking for, I would rather block it at the network router level and actually know what I am blocking. However, there may be quite a few people that could use that information.I am also experimenting with a solution called OPENDNS. Its a Domain Name service that is supposed to be able to nix your ISP DNS settings, and route traffic to them instead. The idea is that they manage the huge list of ever changing sites to block, and also (which is why I am looking into it) have a way to keep IP traffic from being clamped down on by your ISP. So far, its not worked very well for me, but I am still adjusting it.from a review"OpenDNS is a free, ad-based service that aims to improve the reliability, performance, and functionality of the plain-vanilla DNS service your ISP already provides."have notice an decrease or increase in ads since using opendns?
Messenger Posted July 8, 2011 Author Posted July 8, 2011 from a review"OpenDNS is a free, ad-based service that aims to improve the reliability, performance, and functionality of the plain-vanilla DNS service your ISP already provides."have notice an decrease or increase in ads since using opendns?I wonder what they actually meant by that. The reason I ask is that websites (like the ones I program) have specific space for the HTML frame for ads. So, Im not sure what an "increase" would mean. They are either off in thier HTML frame, or on. If they are talking about popups, today's browsers limit that pretty well.
Messenger Posted July 8, 2011 Author Posted July 8, 2011 (edited) from a review"OpenDNS is a free, ad-based service that aims to improve the reliability, performance, and functionality of the plain-vanilla DNS service your ISP already provides."have notice an decrease or increase in ads since using opendns?I did find that review on the web. Again, I thought that was interesting because I'm blocking ads on myown router, so I'm not noticing anymore at all. When I go to OPENDNS website and sign in, I don't see any ads there either. So I suppose they have to make money somewhere. The basic subscription is free,but you can upgrade for more per year. I added OPEN DNS for the following reasons:1) ISP Data Throttling. My ISP, andmost of them, tend to throttle data flow when connected to moviesites like Netflix. With my old PC, this was a huge problem. I did alittle research and decided to try it. Ive been operational on it for2 days now and it was the difference between night and day. WhenOpenDNS is set up correction, it bypasses your ISP DNS server infavor of theirs. It even works if you have a dynamic IP address! 2) Blocking Sites. OPEN DNS is very popular for K12 schools. I went tothe forum they have and I was amazed at how many network admins wereusing the service from school districts. So for blocking sitesrelated to phishing, adult content, and others, this is a great toolbecause they maintain that huge list of sites to block.3) When Friends Visit. I have 12 meg DSL wireless connection and when friends visit, I don't mind them getting on my network now because it blocks all the bad things. I still plan on using my own router to block ads, and I still use Norton 360 for virus protection. But the OpenDNS is another layer that I'm pretty excited about. Edited July 8, 2011 by Messenger
Messenger Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 I wonder what they actually meant by that. The reason I ask is that websites (like the ones I program) have specific space for the HTML frame for ads. So, Im not sure what an "increase" would mean. They are either off in thier HTML frame, or on. If they are talking about popups, today's browsers limit that pretty well.The ads show up when websites, that are on the blocked list, show up on the page annoucing that the site is blocked. You can turn them off for $9.95 / year. By the way, this service (OpenDNS) took me about a week to get set up and trouble shoot. Im not sure I would recommend it, but now that its finally working, I am going to keep it. Part of the problem is that there are so many settings and many can be different depending on the OS you are using. And, all may be for naught if your ISP does not allow a 3rd party DNS resolver. Thankfully, that wasnt the issue with my problems getting it up and running.
cinepro Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Currently use firefox, with adblock plus and flashblock addons. x2!If you aren't using Firefox with adblock plus, that should be the first thing you try. Also, how much RAM do you have? I have some extra PC133 RAM if you want it.
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