To understand where I am going with this you must read my thread at another forum:

IE8: Ad blocking with the InPrivate Filter

http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?...er/#entry253419

Towards the end of my post, I mention the following:

"I'd like to see someone come up with a program like HostsMan that will update his custom XML File either on demand or via schedule similar to what HostsMan does with the Hosts File - making the whole process a no-brainer."

1.) What if there was a way to already do this with HostsMan?

2.) If not, could something like this become an additional option or feature?

3.) I have the idea of running both an updated Hosts File and this custom XML File - could the XML File somehow replace the Hosts File or is this whole thing nothing more than a redundancy that will slow down my browser?

4.) What about the immunization features some spyware programs have, like Spybot S&D and SpywareBlaster - are these a redundancy as well?

Sorry for being a pain, B)

poolsharkzz

You are doing redundant things.

1. The HOST file is more efficient at blocking ads or whatever is in the HOSTS file as it works down at the basic system level and not up at the application level
2. SpywareBlaster and SpyBot S&D's Immunize do the same thing

I do not use Spybot S&D anymore as it has not kept up with the times and its HOSTS file is quite unreliable as it does not undergo the checks for current validity like hpHosts and MVPS HOSTS files do.

A good anti virus application like avast! and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) with WinPatrol provides protection for the system as well.

I updated Windows 7 to Home Premium 64bit and I like it.

Okay, let's break down my security set-up - all are the latest versions and fully updated:

Real-Time Protection:
Comodo Internet Security 3.12x
AVG Anti-Virus Free 9.0.698
Spyware Terminator 2.6.2

On-Demand:
Advanced SystemCare 3.3.4
Spybot S&D 1.6.2.46
Secunia PSI Scanner

System Hardening:
Spyware Blaster 4.2
HostsMan 3.2.71 Beta7 / MVPS Hosts File - :lol:
SafeXP 1.5.7 Security Settings
Performance & Privacy Tweaks - too many to list!

Other than for the immunization features, I do not use Spybot S&D, Advanced SystemCare, Spyware Terminator and Spyware Blaster for anything else other than on-demand scanners.

If you check it out you will find that certain programs immunize for certain things and while that may overlap on some entries, they don't all immunize for all things:

For example:

Advanced SystemCare: 9684 items
Spyware Terminator: 5682 items
Spyware Blaster: 12893 items
Spybot S&D: 13110 items


I also do not use Spybot S&D Tea Timer or Hosts File - just the MVPS Hosts File.

Since I have AVG, I have Comodo's Antiviris disabled.

Okay, so what you are saying is that the Hosts File will do everything that the immunization features will do?

I may be misunderstanding but I think you are wrong, I think they do different things but still a part of a multi-layered security set-up, no?

I have disabled the Hosts File and ran Internet Explorer 7 "naked" and I still get the Ads, Banners, and such - what am I missing here?

poolsharkzz

I don't use AVG but it is OK
I don't use Comodo but it is OK
IE7 it is way downlevel and IE8 has many more features and safety protection
I don't use Spyware Terminator by Crawler:
http://hosts-file.net/default.asp?s=www.crawler.com

I don't use Advanced SystemCare by IOBit as it has lots of false positives.
I don't use Spybot S&D 1.6.2.46 as all it finds is cookies that CCleaner removes
I don't use SafeXP has not been updated since July 14, 2005

I do use Spyware Blaster, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) and WinPatrol.

Some ad banners come from the sites themselves and can not be blocked.

Right click on the advert then Properties then look at the Address: to see the (URL) of the advert

I am now using Windows 7 64-bit and it makes XP look like Win95.

Cool - good to know...

I'm seriously thinking about Windows 7 - I am really impressed with what I'm seeing with some of Windows 7's features, like this new Backup and Restore functionality and the new Windows Media Center.

Can you really watch, say, Hulu Videos and such right from the internet on your TV? All you need is the Media Center Remote and of course the connection to the TV?

Way too cool... I might have some questions for you in a short while about Windows 7...

poolsharkzz

PS. Does this look like any XP / Win95 system you've ever seen?

http://s967.photobucket.com/albums/ae155/poolsharkzz/

Some of this look familiar?

You need Windows Media Center:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-v...dia-center.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-m...ed/default.aspx

Hulu is available in the US only but thankfully I can watch The Simpsons on the TV right near me:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/102955/the-simps...se-of-horror-xx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqG9tk-8anM

Looks like you are behind the 8 ball to me in pic 11 of 12 as an Eyeball Candy aficionado:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/behind+the+eight+ball
http://www.alienskin.com/ec-bundle.aspx

Maybe you should get a Mac:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knxqqrrEEmI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNnX6XRQBec