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!