WebShield URL Blocking Question

[drahnier]

I would like to use a list of ad servers provides by http://pgl.yoyo.org/adservers/ with avast!'s url blocking feature.

The ad server list is available in various formats and somehow it should be possible to import it into avast!'s webshield.

So my question might be: Where does avast! store the list of to be blocked urls? And what format does avast! use?

Currently I use WebWasher to block those urls and my idea is to get rid of WebWasher if avast! turns out to be sufficiently effective in blocking ad sites.

_________________
drahnier

[RejZoR]

Web Shields main purpose is to block malware,not to block ads (although you can ).
Are you using Mozilla/Firefox browser?

[drahnier]

Web Shields main purpose is to block malware,not to block ads (although you can ).
Are you using Mozilla/Firefox browser?

I'm well aware of avast!'s main purpose, but I would like to give it a try anyway. It's too temptimg to possibly get rid of another piece of software ...

And no, I don't use Mozilla/Firefox. There is really no compelling reason to do so - imho.

[RejZoR]

Well now it might be. You can block ads by using AdBlock extension for Firefox.
Block list for AdBlock can be found on my eXcessive Software page found in my signature.
For me,AdBlock is probably the one and main reason to use Firefox. It's just so damn good Otherwise i'd probably use Opera hehe

Just load the block list to AdBlock extension and say goodby to ad banners and other crap on webpages.
WebWasher is ok,but not nearly as flexible and effective as AdBlock.

[drahnier]

Well now it might be. You can block ads by using AdBlock extension for Firefox.
Block list for AdBlock can be found on my eXcessive Software page found in my signature.
For me,AdBlock is probably the one and main reason to use Firefox. It's just so damn good Otherwise i'd probably use Opera hehe

Just load the block list to AdBlock extension and say goodby to ad banners and other crap on webpages.
WebWasher is ok,but not nearly as flexible and effective as AdBlock.

Well, now that you have promoted Firefox, back to my original question ...

[RejZoR]

No i haven't promoted Firefox and i have answered your question.
Web Shield is not an AdBlocking program. WebWasher is,but it has way too many compatibility problems and doesn't do it's job as it should.
I don't care which browser you use even if its Internet Exporer 1.0.
I just gave you the most logical (and actually working and usefull) solution.

[FreewheelinFrank]

RejZoR's right: it is an excellent solution if you want to block ads.

I believe the avast! team have something up their sleave for version 5: the possibility of adding a blocklist to webshield rather than individual entries. Being an anti-virus company, they may well be concentrating on malware rather than adware servers, we shall have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Firefox Adblock is recommended if you don't like ads.

[dk70]

I think they have said there are limitations in listsize so probably not of much use. Smells much like a "Pro" feature to me?

There are better solutions than Webwasher, Google "edexter dnskong no-ads" - both IE and Firefox have build in protection just not used. Some info about is here http://www.sherylcanter.com/articles/oreilly_20040330_HostsPac.php

http://remember.mine.nu/ have most you need. As long as host file is maintained it is still good solution but look into edexter and dnskong. Dnskong give systemwide protection! Will work in all browsers, a bit like Ad Muncher which is the best by far but not free.

About Adblock: Forget orignal Adblock Plus is better http://www.sitesled.com/members/bene/adblock.htm latest dev. har working whitelist  for example. No more crybaby talk about killing revenues, if site is worth supporting user can whitelist it. Then either show ads or download but hide them. Author says he will not add more, now only want to improve compatibility. Sweet words.

[RejZoR]

Wow,it's realy great...



...if i could at least download it

[dk70]

If you refer to Adblock whitelist yes it is great you can download ads but still hide them with a per site policy. What people have been asking of Adblock for ages. Default = kill them all - User selected sites = ad supported but with option of hiding them.

[RejZoR]

Not actually. I prefer global generic based blocking. I hate damn ads all the way.
But i can't test this AdBlock Plus since i can't even download it...

[dk70]

You have to travel some links. Here it is http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=266291

Well the debate of ad-killing vs. ad-support is more or less dead with whitelisting option. General blocking not popular everywhere. Now user has more control... Ive allready added at least 10 "good" sites which depend on ads to some degree. No more talk about lost revenues etc.

[Vlk]

drahnier, unfortunately, there's no IMPORT feature...
The definitions are in the MDB or XML file (depending on the Database=... setting in the INI file) but I wouldn't recommend changing it directly (they're assumed to be divided into parts).

Thanks
Vlk

[drahnier]

No i haven't promoted Firefox and i have answered your question.
Web Shield is not an AdBlocking program. WebWasher is,but it has way too many compatibility problems and doesn't do it's job as it should.
I don't care which browser you use even if its Internet Exporer 1.0.
I just gave you the most logical (and actually working and usefull) solution.

RejZoR: As a special service just for you I'll repeat my question:
"So my question might be: Where does avast! store the list of to be blocked urls? And what format does avast! use?"

[RejZoR]

In the ODBC/XML database.
You're limited by the number of entries anyway.