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Web Browsing and Research and Activities and Recreation
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Firefoxhttp://www.mozilla.c...irefox/personal.htmlForums
http://forums.mozillazine.org/ Firefox extensions (My thoughts : start with Download Statusbar and WOT .. Web of Trust .. and Tab Mix Plus or Tab Kit)
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Opera http://www.opera.com/Forums
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/Chrome http://www.google.com/chromeForums (unofficial)
http://www.chromeboard.net/http://www.chromeboard.com/ Wiki -
http://www.gchromewi....php?title=Main_PageChromiumhttp://code.google.com/chromium/Download (.zip recommended for placement)
http://build.chromiu...ontinuous/win/LATESTIs Chronium Better than Google Chrome ? - Cliff Notes
http://clif-notes.bl...n-google-chrome.html ====================================================
HTTTrack WebSite Copier http://www.httrack.com/Forums
"HTTrack is a free (GPL, libre/free software) and easy-to-use offline browser utility. "
http://forum.httrack.com/Songbirdhttp://www.getsongbird.com/Developers Forum
http://groups.google...m/group/songbird-dev
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HOSTS FILE and BROWSING RESTRICTION SOFTWARE & LISTS
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As the decision of whether to employ any host file or blacklist browsing restrictions on sites is quite difficult, with its own politics between resources and possible compications (with some of the freeware software being linked to the lists offerred), the whole section is now separated from the security section and placed here.
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INTERNET EXPLORER
(discussion of Spyware Blaster as excellent commercial value below as well)
IE-SPYAD Restricted Sites Listhttp://www.spywarewa...ource.htm#IESPYAD_ZO"This program is Free! Please read this License & Disclaimer." ..
"IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut. ZonedOut is a free utility that loads and unloads a plain text list of domains into the Restricted sites zone. ... IE-SPYAD contains a set of Internet Explorer "Restricted sites" lists for use with ZonedOut.
# stop unwanted crapware from being installed behind your back via "drive-by-downloads";
# prevent the hijacking of your home page and other key Internet Explorer settings;
# shut down ActiveX, Java, and scripting, all of which can be employed to push obnoxious advertising on you and
compromise your privacy and security;
# block cookies, which can be used to monitor and track your travels around the Internet;
# combat obnoxious script-based popups that clutter
Zoned Out - Funkytoad
http://www.funkytoad...c3ca2e53ad16cc549ad4Internet Explorer Security Zone Manager
IEFix - Ranesh Srinivasan - Microsoft MVPS
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm"IEFix - is a general purpose repair utility for Internet Explorer which repairs Internet Explorer by registering it's core DLL files and reinstalls using the IE.INF file" (I recently had my IE open-close, and the problem was registering .dll - a software like this can save a lot of effort.)
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HOSTS FILE
HostsXpert - Funkytoad
http://www.funkytoad.com/Freeware license
http://www.funkytoad...p;id=5&Itemid=30"HostsXpert is an ultra-groovy Hosts file Manager, Editor and Helper-outter."
HomerHomer is a LocalHost webserver... listens to IP address 127.0.0.1 on port 80 for Http requests and serves up an image of your choice to your webbrowser. If you block Ads with a gigantic Hosts file - Homer is for you i.e..
Homer can dramatically improve the speed of your browsing experience.
Hostsman - abelhadigital
http://www.abelhadigital.com/Forum
http://forum.abelhad...ndex.php?showforum=2"HostsMan is a freeware hosts file manager and editor."
Host Administrator - Rekensoft
http://rekenwonder.com/hostadm.htm"Host Administrator (213 kB- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP) is a freeware 32-bit program that can administrate the TCP/IP hosts file for your local network."
Hostswitch Home - Woodenpickle
http://www.woodenpic...code/hostswitch.htmlThis is a tool for switching your HOSTS file off or on ... an Edit File button for quick editing of your hosts file to add or remove entries. (More elegant than - RenHosts.bat - on the next article.)
HostsToggle - Stuart Hanzlik - Open Source Freeware
http://www.accs-net....m/hosts/HostsToggle/Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File - Host News Blog
http://www.mvps.org/...inhelp2002/hosts.htmExcellent presentation
Web of Trust thread on :
"Seeking New Trusted Sources"
http://www.mywot.com...-new-trusted-sources(Hope to run through these more, WOT folks are kewl.)
hpHostshttp://hosts-file.net/Forums
http://forum.hosts-file.net/hpHosts is a community managed and maintained hosts file that allows an additional layer of protection against access to ad, tracking and malicious websites.
Bluetack, the next section, is simply one example .. quite hefty with the software that comes with, maybe too complex and hefty. MVPS and HPGuru are others, and may get their own listing. Also you may decide to work this through an Untangle or Spiceworks or appliance method, if applicable. The theory is that prevention is far superior to treatment. The problem is that the cat-and-mouse game with the malware guys is quite complex, and hosts files were more designed for blocking ad servers than malware-contents.
Bluetack Internet Security Solutionshttp://www.bluetack.....uk/forums/index.phpTo utilise our regularly updated IP Block list research we provide the following freeware security software :
* Blocklist Manager
* Protowall
* Hosts Manager
* Blocklist Converter
Freeware Security Software from BISS
http://blocklistpro....enter/biss-software/"Our free Blocklist Manager software is available to download and merge your blocklists into one file or alternatively you can download the files individually from our IP Blocklists download page."
http://blocklistpro.com/download-center/FAQ
http://blocklistpro....-blocklists-faq.htmlForums
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/"If you would like to help support our blocklist research efforts, and various free software applications we have now been providing for over 5 years, please consider making a donation ... actively particpate on the BISS forums , start to actively monitor your own network connections"
The next is considered an excellent primer, with discussion. Later the auxiliary info may be removed to its own thread.
Setting up a Hosts File - Blackspear
http://www.wildersse...owthread.php?t=78363===
More study - this is an interesting biz area, since so many employees can be surfing and cruising. What to do ?
Large hosts file delays browsing?
http://www.wildersse...p;highlight=bluetackHost File vs a Blacklist?
http://www.wildersse...p;highlight=bluetackNote the comment by Rico about Bluetack, and the ongoing discussion, it is a concern to consider.
Bluetack's Host Manager
http://www.wildersse...owthread.php?t=78363"IMHO Bluetack is not reputable outfit, they use other peoples host lists, to compile there list, without first getting permission. The author of MVPS Hosts, has stated this. See: ..."
