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+--- Thread: Ummm... strange/bad happenings (/showthread.php?tid=193)
- a_stupid_box - Aug. 01, 2004 01:54 AM
I finally caved and installed JD's pack. It needs a few tweaks, but for the time being, it's working much better than doing things from scratch.
I also recently installed Supertrick XG.
I use mywebpage.netscape.com to host my files. After installing these things, suddenly, I couldn't access my files! Oh no! I looked through my massive HOSTS list for any accidental entries. Nada. I checked if Proxomitron was causing it. Nope. I was just about to give up, when suddenly, I stumbled across the "restricted" sites list in IE.
As I'd never used this feature before, I was surprised to see thousands of entries. I'm assuming that either Supertick or JD added them. Anyone know for sure which?
Also, I've noticed some slowdown while browsing. Could this be due to repeat/overlap blocking by my HOSTS file, my "restricted sites" list, and proxo's lists and filters?
- Kye-U - Aug. 01, 2004 02:03 AM
a_stupid_box Wrote:As I'd never used this feature before, I was surprised to see thousands of entries. I'm assuming that either Supertick or JD added them. Anyone know for sure which?I'm sure that SuperTrick XG adds the list to the Restricted Zone in Internet Explorer
Also, I've noticed some slowdown while browsing. Could this be due to repeat/overlap blocking by my HOSTS file, my "restricted sites" list, and proxo's lists and filters?
I'm not sure what the slowdown is.
It could be the overlapped lists.
- Oddysey - Aug. 01, 2004 01:24 PM
a_s_b;
If the overlap is great, that could slow you down, sure. And sorry, but I personally have only a few sites in my zones, so I can't offer any help as to how IE reacts to a lot of entries there.
You could always disable everything and then time your speed at a trusted site - this would be your baseline number, and in theory, your fastest possible speed. Then re-enable each proggie, one at a time, and test on the same site. (Don't forget to flush the cache each time.
) That's about the only way to tell for sure what's slowing you down.I have no clue about SuperTrick XG - before I go searching, could you please enlighten me as to what it is?
Oddysey
- a_stupid_box - Aug. 01, 2004 03:26 PM
Odd;
Quote:If the overlap is great, that could slow you down, sure. And sorry, but I personally have only a few sites in my zones, so I can't offer any help as to how IE reacts to a lot of entries there.
The overlap is probably a hundred-thousand sites between IE and my HOSTS, and probably a few-dozen-tousand of those overlapping with proxo.
Quote:You could always disable everything and then time your speed at a trusted site - this would be your baseline number, and in theory, your fastest possible speed. Then re-enable each proggie, one at a time, and test on the same site. (Don't forget to flush the cache each time.
I've timed it, my slowdown is roughly 700%. As I'm on 768 ADSL, it's still not much time to load, but it's bothersome. I also found that Suertrick apparently altered some of my security and privacy settings. I had to reset my manual cookie handling, for example.
Quote:I have no clue about SuperTrick XG - before I go searching, could you please enlighten me as to what it is?
From the website ( http://filesharingplace.com/supertrickxg/ )
"Supertrick XG is designed to block ads within websites, pop-ups, and also prevent viruses, spyware, and other malicious code from getting into and damaging your system, but it is not a program. It is an installer that is split to many components, so you don't have to worry about it running in the backround and slowing down your system. Most of it's components edit system files or settings. That's right, Windows has the ability to prevent much internet trash, but many people don't know about it. My installer does all the work for you. It also has the ability to shut down some common vulnerabilities within Windows that only has to be done once. You install it and can forget it."
Basicly, a HOSTS file (w/ HOSTS switch, editor, and updater), a windows messenger uninstaller, a thing to set google as the default search, DCOM disabler, and eDexter. There's a few more things, but those are what I was most interested in.
- Oddysey - Aug. 01, 2004 08:51 PM
a_s_b;
Supertrick does seem to be doing things I already do, so I sense that I don't need to go any further - but I do thank you for the tip, and I'm sure that others on the path might like this fork in the road better than mine (manual, nearly all the way).
Since it would have a hard time actually slowing down your d/l speed, at least directly, I think it's safe to ignore it. You've already re-done the effects that concerned you, I'm content to drop it, if you are.
A reduction in loading time by 700% scares the bejabbers outta me! I can't imagine standing for such a thing. Man, you could go back to dial-up, and d/l faster than that! [angry]
I don't know what advice to give you. As noted, you like the idea of everything in one place (the massive HOSTS file), but you would like to have the flexibility of Proxo. Well, as I see it, you have a HOSTS toggler on your system, so why not just turn off the HOSTS file while browsing/surfing? Let Proxo do the dirty work; if it has essentially the same list as the HOSTS file (properly formatted, of course), then HOSTS is just redundant. Toggle HOSTS on only for non-surfing, such as email, FTP, and other exciting things like Archie, Veronica, WAIS, etc.
In addition, I'm sure you already know how to export a registry key, so why not save the zone data in a text file (.reg extention), and delete that key branch? That should give you back some speed, even if all that data was stored in memory for the fastest possible access. Again, if Proxo is gonna see these sites anyway, due to various filters kicking in at the right moment, then why double up the job with IE's zones?
That's all I can think of for now.
Oddysey
- a_stupid_box - Aug. 01, 2004 09:53 PM
Odd;
Quote:Supertrick does seem to be doing things I already do, so I sense that I don't need to go any further - but I do thank you for the tip, and I'm sure that others on the path might like this fork in the road better than mine (manual, nearly all the way).
Yeah, I had done everything myself aside from the messenger removal and setting google as my default search. I was pretty much just testing the software.
Quote:Since it would have a hard time actually slowing down your d/l speed, at least directly, I think it's safe to ignore it. You've already re-done the effects that concerned you, I'm content to drop it, if you are.
A reduction in loading time by 700% scares the bejabbers outta me! I can't imagine standing for such a thing. Man, you could go back to dial-up, and d/l faster than that! [angry]
Actually, it's an increase in loading time, not a reduction. It's only affected while browsing with IE, and since I rarely use IE anyway, I don't really have too much of a problem with the slowdown. It's just a minor bother as far as I'm concerned, though I would like to get rid of it. I've cleaned my restricted list out entirely as every entry was already on my HOSTS. I'm within 10% of my original speed. I think I need a smaller list for Proxo (currently using my 130k entry HOSTS for my AdList).
Quote:I don't know what advice to give you. As noted, you like the idea of everything in one place (the massive HOSTS file), but you would like to have the flexibility of Proxo. Well, as I see it, you have a HOSTS toggler on your system, so why not just turn off the HOSTS file while browsing/surfing? Let Proxo do the dirty work; if it has essentially the same list as the HOSTS file (properly formatted, of course), then HOSTS is just redundant. Toggle HOSTS on only for non-surfing, such as email, FTP, and other exciting things like Archie, Veronica, WAIS, etc.
I like this idea except for the fact that it's an extra 20 or so button presses every day that I can see forgetting to do. I've come to something of a happy middle ground, however -- Toss all of the popup and banner entries moved to proxo, and have all the malware, virii, and installer entries on my HOSTS. Kinda like what you said, but better, because I can remain lazy.
Quote:In addition, I'm sure you already know how to export a registry key, so why not save the zone data in a text file (.reg extention), and delete that key branch? That should give you back some speed, even if all that data was stored in memory for the fastest possible access. Again, if Proxo is gonna see these sites anyway, due to various filters kicking in at the right moment, then why double up the job with IE's zones?
Already done between the time I posted my last message and the time you posted yours. It did help a lot, good idea though I beat you to the punch.
- Oddysey - Aug. 02, 2004 05:51 AM
a_s_b;
Quote:Hmmm, I missed that one when editing - curses! [angry] Obviously, I was thinking "speed" during the first part of the sentence, and "time" during the remainder. That'll teach me to "think and type" at the same time!Quote:A reduction in loading time by 700% scares the bejabbers outta me!Actually, it's an increase in loading time, not a reduction
Otherwise, it looks like the IE zones were most of your problem. Good sleuthing, Ace!
As for 'forgetful' surfing (the HOSTS toggler), you could point your shortcut to a batch file that did the job for you, i.e.:
> toggle HOSTS off
> execute IE
> toggle HOSTS on
Two problems with this, though.
A. File associations. You could configure HTML pages to point to the batch file instead of directly at IE, but that might cause other proggies to break, depending on what you have loaded in your system. Might be worth a moment of consideration, though.
B. Concurrent operation. What if you want to run your email client side-by-side with your browser? The HOSTS file is off, and Proxo can't protect your client (unless it's also on Port 80), so you're hanging out in the wind, buck nekkid. Not a good thing.
But even without a batch file, Option B suffers from this scenario, so you do have a conundrum. Email and surf, or mutual exclusion? That is the question.
Personally, based on your report, here's what I'd do: If removing zones brought back nearly all my speed, then I'd leave HOSTS on all the time. Better to be fully protected, even if everything is a tad slower, than to have a gaping hole in my armor, just for a few percentage points of speed.
And that should about do it. At least for the rest of the evening. <_< TTFN
Oddysey
- a_stupid_box - Aug. 02, 2004 02:28 PM
Odd;
Quote:B. Concurrent operation. What if you want to run your email client side-by-side with your browser? The HOSTS file is off, and Proxo can't protect your client (unless it's also on Port 80), so you're hanging out in the wind, buck nekkid. Not a good thing.
I only use web-based email. It's just flat-out more safe and more practical since I'm not on dial-up. Everyone I know is aware of how to .rar a file into chunks. I do see your point, though. Basicly, the median solution is to move ad-and-banner sites to proxo, and keep all the truly harmful entries in my HOSTS. QX? ( http://www.urbandictionary.com )
- Oddysey - Aug. 03, 2004 04:41 AM
a_s_b;
Quote:... QX?Love it! I haven't tripped across anybody using an E. E. Smith quote in ages - great work.
In fact, I usually use Yahoo Mail myself, solely for the reason that the few times a year I have to travel, my email is right with me, no questions asked. That puts it on Port 80, hence it's goosed right proper with Proxo.
Ads and such to Proxo, truly harmful sites to HOSTS? Sounds workable to me. Might make for a few harrowing moments as you forget where to stick a freshly banned site, but other than that, you'll probably make out OK. :P
Please report back every so often, particularly on things like ease of maintenance, slow-downs, etc. All of this is good info for others who are wondering, and don't wanna jump in with more than their big toe. "Adventure_in_a_Box", that's you! <_<
Pip pip, and all that - carry on!
Oddysey