DoubleClick Opt Out (IE6)

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FYI, you can opt out of DoubleClick spyware by going to http://www.privacychoices.org/optout.htm%5B/url%5D

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Despite the PR-friendly ‘privacychoices’ name, I do not trust them and prefer to proactively list all their numerous servers in my ‘Hosts’ file and restricted sites zone where applicable.

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I’ve very little experience with firewalls and our corporate office doesn’t seem to know the meaning of proactive. Is there a simple way of finding a list of this, and few more, which are a constant source of annoyance for my users? I don’t suppose there is a web site per chance?

I could then pass this on to the guy who is “responsible” and suggest he make use of it.

TIA,

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If you want to use Bruce’s suggestion and block a huge amount of sites in one quick action, I would recommend downloading Spybot Search & Destroy and use its Hosts feature. This will add a huge list of known tracking & spyware sites to your Hosts file, redirecting any request to connect to these sites to a ‘null’ location on your own computer. Once one computer is set up you could copy its new Hosts file to other computers as necessary.

PS – the opt-out ‘privacy’ option will still likely put a cookie on your computer in most (if not all) cases – how else would they know who didn’t want tracked… And don’t you think they will still be able to read that cookie and have the ability to track exactly where you go anyway?

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Hi David

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likely put a cookie on your computer

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Not ‘likely’ ….. it does put an “opt out” cookie on your computer…….which, of course, you delete when you ‘clean’ your cookies….then you’re back to the start the next time you visit one of their sites!!

WRT R2’s post re Host Files, the most recent host file from the site he suggests is almost a year old (May 27, 2002).

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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>>WRT R2’s post re Host Files, the most recent host file from the site he suggests is almost a year old (May 27, 2002).

Not true at all!!! Martin has the best Host file around. It was update, eh, Feb 09, 2003. He is what Martin’s site says:

These files were last updated on
Sunday, February 09, 2003 12:04:23 AM EDT
And contains 13209 total entries

All other lists typically are based on Martins — even Spybot…

If you read Gorilla’s page a little better, you will notice:
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Download the latest Hosts file from Stephen Martin’s Site:

Click Here

This version of the Hosts file was last updated on May 27th, 2002. The link will always take you to the latest file, even if I do not reflect the latest date on this site due to forgetfulness or other circumstances.
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If you click “Click Here”, you are devilvered the Feb 9, 2003 list. Spybot’s list is likely derived from Martin’s and likely NOT updated as often…

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Hi R2

My aplogies!!!!!

I did read the text below the link, but when I clicked on the link I got an immediate “save or open” window. Not knowing if the “Latest” was any later than the date posted, I just left the site.
I guess I just assumed that “Martin’s” site was what I was looking at as I had followed the link you posted.
If web sites aren’t relatively obvious and user friendly, I generally don’t spend much time wading through them.

Thanks for posting the correction to my error though….I’ll be sure to go back and check it out!!

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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HI, R2 ~ [indent]

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…and likely NOT updated as often…

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[/indent]I am curious as to how you determined such, please.

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Very simple. Patrick has a lot on his hands with Spybot — certainly the Hosts file is NOT his primary concern. Steve Martin is well-known for his Hosts file and it behooves him to make it as up to date as possible.

It is sort of like questioning whether CNN news is really up to date.

Besides, I am willing to bet Patrick simply borrowed one of Steve’s Hosts file — open it up and check it out.

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David,

Thanks for the attachment. When I looked at it, I realized I was missing something, namely the Hosts file. I obviously didn’t read the “fine print” on Spybots site and missed the advanced version. I’ve deleted the DoubleClick opt out cookie and have run Hosts. I learn something every day from the Lounge.

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The best known Hosts file is from a gentleman named Steve Martin of Martin Designs. You can get more information on using a Hosts file here:

Gorilla Design Studio Presents: Using the Hosts File

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An excellent site, and I used it religiously until I found a more effective and less time consuming approach. Now I use DNSKong (and eDexter) with a list of domain names. For links and more info see post 210523 .

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I use eDexter with Martin’s Hosts file — and it is not time consuming at all. I never used DNSKong (also from Gorilla) because I have been so pleased with eDexter….

Of note — you MUST use a Hosts file with eDexter, and the one that Gorilla recommends IS Martin’s…
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At least in size, Martin’s list is larger. But, size isn’t everything… or so I am told.

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Here is a Hosts list with over 14,000 entries. The guy claims to validate and update regularly:
http://asp.flaaten.dk/proxo/hosts.txt%5B/url%5D

# This file was generated automatically at http:/asp.flaaten.dk/proxo/
# It was last generated on 6. april 2003 18:46
#
# Ad Hosts Verified by hpguru hpguru@flaaten.dk
# There are 14513 hosts

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The best ‘Hosts” file I have been able to find is the one that is added to SpyBot as Dave mentioned. Once you install SpyBot, there is a feature to install their ‘Hosts’ list which includes thousands of known ad servers and **** sites. This is updated occassionally what I like is it keeps many of those emedded ads that eat up valuable bandwidth from appearing on many websites visited.

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