Pop-Up question

[ceagle]

This is a question for those of you into Apache settings, and blocking pop-ups and alerts which simulate pop-ups, pop-unders:
I had heard some reports that certain pop-up methods are now getting through Firefox, and I saw my first evidence of that tonight. Instead of spawning a new window, it used a javascript-type floating frame. Later on, I still saw two actual new window pop-ups get through, even though they came up blank.

So I've been considering running AdGate, which uses the Apache underpinnings of System X to work. The question is, will this really be infallible and worth it to bother with, in your opinions?



Here is the readme info about how it does it...

The secret behind host blocking of ADGate is to modify the DNS lookup results. Once it gets a matched result with your choice of patterns, it changes the IP to the one of localhost. At the same time MacOSX built-in Apache web server is started to handle the HTTP requests and returns an empty GIF picture with 2x2 pixels.

URL blocking is done by filtering the HTML from web servers just before browsers get it. ADGate does pattern matches on URL of images, embed, iframe and links, and changes the matched ones to point to localhost, or if URL is too short, it is just erased. Javascripts in web pages are scanned for popup windows. Once ADGate find the javascript to open a window, it will remove it if it is told to do so.

ADGate contains four parts. Two network kernel extensions: DNSFaker converts matched hostname's IP to 127.0.0.1 (localhost), and HTMLFilter modifies HTML codes. Configurations for Apache server, so Apache httpd has to be installed in MacOSX (it is installed by default). Client application ADGate to control both the extension and Apache web server. Once ADGate has installed the extensions, it is not needed to around for things to work. It is only needed to be started aftering restarting of the mac, and to reconfigure it.

The configuration for Apache server is in the package of ADGate. Choose Show Package Contents on ADGate to view and modify it. Patterns are combination of chars, '*' and '?' to match host names. Some patterns are pre-installed. Only registered version of ADGate can add or delete patterns.

$15 isn't too much to pay if this really works, but will the changes break significant functionalities in my system and/or browers?

Anyways, thanks in advance if you have any comments!

p.s. I'm only considering this because although iCab (my favorite browser) works flawlessly in this area in the classic system, it is not as good as of yet in system X, so that's why I'm considering these measures, and continuing to use Firefox for now on the system X machine.

Comments

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

It will work (I do essentially the same thing in K-Meleon), but you'll have to update the list of blocked hostnames now and then.

[buran.livejournal.com]

Get the Adblock plugin for Firefox. It's absolutely FREE and can block the scripts that are generating the popups. Works like a charm for me!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Ah... kinda just like updating Hosts files alla time, ah?
arrgh.
Well, that's not too bad... guess ya have to stay ahead of the trail...
Thanks for the note :>

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

That's awesome... good ta hear it's so effective!
I haven't been able to get to *any* of the Plug-Ins though. When I was investigating 'em, I could see them there, but they always would error in download. Perhaps if it's not too much trouble you could email that one to me?

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Thanks also to sly_paws for the links!

[buran.livejournal.com]

What kind of error are you getting? I can email it, but if the error you get is that the site can't install them, you have to add the site to the "sites allowed to install software" list in the top-of-window banner that drops down, following the instructions. Or, you can visit a plugin's homepage to get the direct link to it, then save the .xpi file to your desktop, then drag it onto the browser window. It should then install as there doesn't seem to be a block placed on your own machine.