Is there a way to block this crap?

TedG · Jun 26, 2002, 12:18 AM

I was wondering if there's a way to block those spyware programs like "Bonzi Buddy" and "Comet Cursor" that occasionally install themselves when Web-surfing. This usually happens when I'm searching for something on Google, and clicking on links to sites I haven't been to before, in which case I don't know what to expect. But these programs just install themselves, without asking, and even when you uninstall them, there's still crap left over (which can usually be eliminated using Ad-Aware). It's just annoying to have to go through and clear out all the crap that those programs leave behind. The most recent one that I got was some stupid "Search Explorer" or something like that.

So basically, is there a way to stop these things from installing themselves? I'm using Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6, with all the latest updates.

gonzo_for_civ · Jun 26, 2002, 01:19 AM

If there is a way, it would help if someone posted it here because I haven't found one.

But you can disable them using the registry if you know how or else I could post a little something and tell you. I think it's under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key and you go to software and then look for the key belonging to the annoying prog. That way they will not install again but shouldn't come up when you start your machine

TedG · Jun 26, 2002, 01:24 AM

Well, I was able to clear out all traces of them, including registry entries, but it's still annoying to have to do that each time. What I'm looking for is a way to keep them from installing in the first place, maybe an IE setting or something like that.

gonzo_for_civ · Jun 26, 2002, 01:27 AM

Yeah, i know what you are asking for but as I said I don't know of a way. Of course, you could try taking them from the registry but not deleting them from the computer, that has usually kept them out of my hair even if they are still installed.

TedG · Jun 26, 2002, 01:35 AM

If it's at all possible, I don't want to have any traces of them because I hate spyware. And it's a waste of HD space, too. I always try and have a clean HD and clean registry - I'm weird like that.

gonzo_for_civ · Jun 26, 2002, 01:40 AM

Then my only suggestion would be to search download.com for a spyware blocker, and then tell us if you get lucky.

starlifter · Jun 26, 2002, 02:12 AM

I use At Guard 3.22.... it's a couple years old now, but works great. Stops anything you choose, and can be site specific.

BlueMonday · Jun 26, 2002, 02:53 AM

Adaware from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ will work nicely. Also consider a decent firewall to block those programs from communicating with their makers.

TedG · Jun 26, 2002, 03:29 AM

I installed ZoneAlarm, so hopefully it will block those installations if they happen again. I don't remember any of the sites where it happened, so I won't know for sure if ZA will block it until I happen to end up on one of those sites again.

And yes, I do have Ad-Aware. That's a great program.

starlifter · Jun 26, 2002, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Also consider a decent firewall to block those programs from communicating with their makers.

Black Ice Defender is pretty good.

But I just carve any nonsense out of my registry, if they try and hide themselves

.

Zelig · Aug 10, 2002, 06:15 AM

The retail version of Ad-aware comes with a program called Ad-watch which watches installations of programs and notifies you if any spyware tries to install. It can then stop the spyware from installing.

oryx · Aug 11, 2002, 05:41 AM

I can confirm that Zone Alarm does not stop things like Comet Cursor from installing. I don't think any of the fire walls would stop this because these annoyances are installed with java or activeX. Fire walls aren't designed to stop that kind of stuff.

starlifter · Aug 12, 2002, 01:30 PM

That is why I run a firewall, and I run an ad-killer.

BTW, Firewall does not equal ad killer.

Also, stopping popup java scripts is NOT ad killing. It is only what it says... stopping popups.

If people want the final solution to the Ad problem, you need to run specialty software to hunt and kill ads.

But if you don't have that software, Opera can easily disable and enable the popups.

Neomega · Oct 14, 2002, 01:35 AM

I just installed ad aware.
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10045910.html

Also....
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-01-28.htm

This is for the webmaster I think.... I dunno too much about this stuff, but I am thinkin this might be helpful in killing spy ware riders on your website if you have any... I dunno, it was written by a guy who runs a game fansite... so maybe someone might want to take a look at it, cuz, I rarely visit many sites save Civfanatics, Apolyton, Netscape (for my webmail :P), and I have got a bit of spyware.... I always suspected these fan sites althouggh more than likely I am wrong.

Anyways, on page two is some program or somethin to hunt down the parasites if they are feasting off of your traffic

Jun 26, 2002, 12:18 AM	#1
TedG Prince Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: USA Posts: 358	Is there a way to block this crap? I was wondering if there's a way to block those spyware programs like "Bonzi Buddy" and "Comet Cursor" that occasionally install themselves when Web-surfing. This usually happens when I'm searching for something on Google, and clicking on links to sites I haven't been to before, in which case I don't know what to expect. But these programs just install themselves, without asking, and even when you uninstall them, there's still crap left over (which can usually be eliminated using Ad-Aware). It's just annoying to have to go through and clear out all the crap that those programs leave behind. The most recent one that I got was some stupid "Search Explorer" or something like that. So basically, is there a way to stop these things from installing themselves? I'm using Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6, with all the latest updates.

Jun 26, 2002, 02:12 AM	#7
starlifter Deity Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 4,163	I use At Guard 3.22.... it's a couple years old now, but works great. Stops anything you choose, and can be site specific. __________________ Good Civ II stuff is here .....

Aug 10, 2002, 06:15 AM	#11
Zelig DUKE OF MAGDEBURG, OF BRE Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,101	The retail version of Ad-aware comes with a program called Ad-watch which watches installations of programs and notifies you if any spyware tries to install. It can then stop the spyware from installing. __________________ Dritarja mbi mjaft pluto, përveç tokës anije rritje shortit duket na e diel drejtuar me vlerë të barabartë me shkrim oh kapur goxha objekt lejojë gravurë shfaqen të tilla humbasin ligjin e përparme me të cilën Distanca moment këndojnë thellë Feed Industrisë Malta song kopsht u bë asia vetë shpresoj dashuroj largët rrokjet takim nuk mund dhomë kënd dëgjoni javën glossary kripë shkroi qese komb ngadalë papritur ndaluar çojë formë qarë ndonjëherë të keqe mbahet trajnimi muaj qeveria prill përpjekje për të mbajtur dublin Xhamajka thotë jordan drejtpërdrejtë puthje përjetë shumë krenar duke notuar game gjuha mund të mbahet brenda makinës oksigjen rezultati vetë orësh shkencës japanese malor qaj Kuba krahas hënës ton trishtuar duhet përgatitur minuta njeriut i përkasin ulem punë tokësore të ushtrisë makinë emocionuese të ngushtë zërin tregojnë as¹

Aug 11, 2002, 05:41 AM	#12
oryx Warlord Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Erehwon Posts: 241	I can confirm that Zone Alarm does not stop things like Comet Cursor from installing. I don't think any of the fire walls would stop this because these annoyances are installed with java or activeX. Fire walls aren't designed to stop that kind of stuff. __________________ "Cease fire! Please! Cease fire. What a dreadful waste of ammunition!" -- General Horatio Herbert Kitchener --

Aug 12, 2002, 01:30 PM	#13
starlifter Deity Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 4,163	That is why I run a firewall, and I run an ad-killer. BTW, Firewall does not equal ad killer. Also, stopping popup java scripts is NOT ad killing. It is only what it says... stopping popups. If people want the final solution to the Ad problem, you need to run specialty software to hunt and kill ads. But if you don't have that software, Opera can easily disable and enable the popups. __________________ Good Civ II stuff is here .....

Jun 26, 2002, 01:19 AM	#2
gonzo_for_civ Not too busy... Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,136	If there is a way, it would help if someone posted it here because I haven't found one. But you can disable them using the registry if you know how or else I could post a little something and tell you. I think it's under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key and you go to software and then look for the key belonging to the annoying prog. That way they will not install again but shouldn't come up when you start your machine

Jun 26, 2002, 01:24 AM	#3
TedG Prince Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: USA Posts: 358	Well, I was able to clear out all traces of them, including registry entries, but it's still annoying to have to do that each time. What I'm looking for is a way to keep them from installing in the first place, maybe an IE setting or something like that.

Jun 26, 2002, 01:27 AM	#4
gonzo_for_civ Not too busy... Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,136	Yeah, i know what you are asking for but as I said I don't know of a way. Of course, you could try taking them from the registry but not deleting them from the computer, that has usually kept them out of my hair even if they are still installed.

Jun 26, 2002, 01:35 AM	#5
TedG Prince Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: USA Posts: 358	If it's at all possible, I don't want to have any traces of them because I hate spyware. And it's a waste of HD space, too. I always try and have a clean HD and clean registry - I'm weird like that.

Jun 26, 2002, 01:40 AM	#6
gonzo_for_civ Not too busy... Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,136	Then my only suggestion would be to search download.com for a spyware blocker, and then tell us if you get lucky.

Jun 26, 2002, 02:53 AM	#8
BlueMonday Can I Kick It? Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: SLC Posts: 1,259	Adaware from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ will work nicely. Also consider a decent firewall to block those programs from communicating with their makers.

Jun 26, 2002, 03:29 AM	#9
TedG Prince Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: USA Posts: 358	I installed ZoneAlarm, so hopefully it will block those installations if they happen again. I don't remember any of the sites where it happened, so I won't know for sure if ZA will block it until I happen to end up on one of those sites again. And yes, I do have Ad-Aware. That's a great program.

Oct 14, 2002, 01:35 AM	#14
Neomega Deity Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 11,261	I just installed ad aware. http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10045910.html Also.... http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-01-28.htm This is for the webmaster I think.... I dunno too much about this stuff, but I am thinkin this might be helpful in killing spy ware riders on your website if you have any... I dunno, it was written by a guy who runs a game fansite... so maybe someone might want to take a look at it, cuz, I rarely visit many sites save Civfanatics, Apolyton, Netscape (for my webmail :P), and I have got a bit of spyware.... I always suspected these fan sites althouggh more than likely I am wrong. Anyways, on page two is some program or somethin to hunt down the parasites if they are feasting off of your traffic

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