IP: Heads up, guys!

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 16:16:41 -0500
> From: gep2 () terabites com
> Subject: Re: Heads up, guys!
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> X-Mailer: SPRY Mail Version: 04.00.06.17
>
> A friend of mine that I forwarded this warning sent me the below 
> reply.  Since I
> think it's worthwhile, I'm forwarding it around too.
>
> <---- Begin Forwarded Message ---->
>
> A helpful addendum to your message would be a list of resources for
> protecting one's privacy.  Here are a few that I use:
>
> 1. JunkBuster
>    ----------
>    A free Internet proxy that allows a user to block specific domains &
>    URLs.  The block list mechanism is particularly flexible, and allows
>    wildcards.  You may, for example, block the following:
>
>          doubleclick.com       // a specific domain
>          ads.*.com             // any 'ads' domain
>          /ads                  // anything coming from an 'ads' directory
>
>    JunkBuster also can block cookies.  Go to http://www.junkbusters.com/
>    for more information.  JunkBuster's source code is available.  Junk-
>    Buster works on most systems.
>
> 2. McAfee VirusScan
>    ----------------
>    This has a configurable Internet filter that allows the blocking of
>    specific IP addresses and URLs.  The block list does not allow
>    wildcards, and has the annoying habit of popping up a confirmation
>    dialog box the first time it encounters a blocked URL.  On the plus
>    side, it also allows for filtering of ActiveX and Java classes.
>
>    VirusScan is not free, but it is inexpensive.  Look around and you
>    can probably find it for less than $20.  It is also PC specific.
>
> 3. A clever trick that doesn't require *any* software.
>    ---------------------------------------------------
>    The Web page http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~atman/spam/adblock.shtml
>    details a way to block specific URLs without software.  In essence,
>    you map offending IP addresses to your own machine.  HTTP requests
>    to offending addresses are sent back to your machine, where they
>    fail.  Works on almost any machine (PC, Mac, Unix, Linux, etc).
>
> I use all of these.  A nice side effect of blocking approximately forty
> specific sites (DoubleClick, LinkExchange, Preferences.com, etc) is that I
> very rarely see banner ads.
>
> My JunkBuster blockfile can be found at
> http://www.rdrop.com/~half/Creations/Writings/Raves/sblock.ini
>
> Note that a well-maintained block list will also cut down on
> privacy-destroying Web bugs, which is a problem that is growing very quickly.
>  Robert Smith's site has information on this problem.
> http://www.tiac.net/users/smiths/
>
> Feel free to redistribute this to anyone you think it might help.
>
>
>
> Email: http://www.rdrop.com/~half/Personal/Life/ContactInformation.html
>   PGP: http://www.rdrop.com/~half/Personal/Life/PublicKey.txt
>   Web: http://www.rdrop.com/~half/
>
>
> <----  End Forwarded Message  ---->
>
> Gordon Peterson
> http://personal.terabites.com/
> Support the Anti-SPAM Amendment!  Join at http://www.cauce.org/
> 12/19/98: the day the Conservatives demonstrated their scorn for their
>    fraudulent sham of representative government.  Voters, remember it!