[tip] Security: Controlling internet snoops and pop-ups

Had enough pop-ups? Getting on your nerves? Don't want www.google-analytics.com watching your every move? Worried about rogue javascript etc.?

I've recently installed this: HostsMan (incl. server). http://www.abelhadigital.com/

You can stop all sorts of rubbish using the standard hosts ban lists offered by linked servers, or indeed add your own exclusions.

Here is a list of rubbish that was trying to track me just a few minutes ago. HostsMan server logged and blocked them

It's very easy. Just download the install file. I am using the lastest HostsMan 3.2.70 beta and it seems OK to me even though they warn about unstable beta status etc.


When installing, choose the following options:


Once installed, open the server, and START it:


Set the following options:

And minimise.

With HostsMan:


Select check for updates:

And update to latest.

I have set it up as follows:


Now it is up and running, you can add extra sites to block, as follows:



Dont forget to:
1. SAVE, and
2. FLUSH DNS

It's really easy. You get a pop-up you dont want, and you just block it. And you can look at the server log file to see what it has blocked. This works very well with IE's security levels and trusted sites. I get a pop-up each time a naughty site tries to steal some click info. I then BAN the site.

There you go... Hope that helps!

Polarman said:

I think a simple hostfile can do the same thing.

Click to expand...

?? er, this is a hostfile editor, with autoupdate of bad servers, AND ability to easily manage the hostfiles including a redirect server so that webpages dont just disappear but will be logged, show up as "blocked", showing your own message, and showing your own "image" is that is what is being blocked. The utility is feature-rich.

Your comment is like someone suggesting a HexEditor for editing a binary file, and you saying notepad.exe can do the same thing!