A New Supertrick Installer

[Xero Grid]

Oh, man. That is blindingly easy. I can't believe I missed that. I feel bad that I didn't know that command.

Well, the actual command is this:
net stop dnscache

If nothing else, I can make a batch file that extracts to a temp directory and executes, and problem solved.
Thanx, OPaul.

--EDIT--
I made a last minute revision, even though I don't like to do that, but the only change is the one stated above, and if you already installed 1.4, you don't need the revision.

The only change is that the DNS client service is stopped is chosen upon installation. The other services are not noticable and can wait until the next restart for the setting to be permenant.

-- Xero Grid --

[erRor67]

Ok, im hosting the file on my site, http://bishtawi.owns.it

Edit: and why are you blocking http://www.has.it ??? A lot of people use that site as a redirection to their websites.

[Xero Grid]

Cool. It's really great since I can't afford hosting. I'm too poor.
So, thanks.

Am I correct in saying that you posted it on four mirrors? Should I post all of them individually or does your site use a script that randomly choose mirrors? Your help will be noted of course.

--EDIT--
Another one that slipped through. I don't use it so naturally I missed it. But as long as "www." is used in the URL, it won't be blocked because only "has.it" is currently blocked.

-- Xero Grid --

[UcanRock2]

Hey Grid

Some software programs block editing the Hosts file.

Here is the info I received from my original Hosts file. Maybe it'll help others as well.


The purpose of this HOSTS file is to act as an ad-blocker,
it will significantly reduce the number of pop-up ads that will appear while you are surfing the internet.
Not every pop-up will be blocked, because the internet is dynamic and is constantly changing.
Additional entries may be edited into the file, they can be used to either block previously unrecognized pop-up ads,
or to allow quicker access to frequently visited sites.
The process is simple, but it is imperative that you understand the file format before you do any editing.

A quick lesson about the HOSTS file.

The HOSTS file does not have any extension (like .bat .dll .exe, etc.), it is simply named HOSTS.
The pound sign (#)is frequently used within the HOSTS file. When the # symbol is encountered,
it is usually at the beginning of a line. The # sign is interpreted to mean that everything that follows can be ignored.
Any text that is preceded by a # sign is considered to be a comment. For an entry, within the HOST file, to be interpreted correctly,
the entry must follow a specific format. The format is made up of two seperate parts.
The first part is a "numbers" address (the IP address).
This part consists of a series of numbers, seperated by periods (like 192.24.15.1).
This "numbers" address is somewhat akin to a telephone number, it is the "real" address of a site.
The second part of a line entry is the site name, this is a series of "words", seperated by periods.
These "words" are used to find the "numbers" address for, and then to connect to, the specified site.
Addresses like www.mysite.com and ftp.down.net are both "words" addresses.
A "words" address can be roughly equated to the name that you might write next to a speed-dial button,
on a conventional telephone. On a phone, when you select a name and push the corresponding speed-dial button,
a series of numbers are dialed, and a connection is made.
The resulting connection was solely due to the numbers dialed, not the name associated with them.
The name was just a convenience to allow for easy identification of the underlying numbers.
An internet "words" address serves a very similar function,
it is only a convenient way to reference the underlying "numbers" address. To actually go to any web site, if you enter a "words" address,
it must first be converted to a "numbers" address.
This conversion is accomplished by, first, looking within the HOSTS file, then, if needed, looking at a conversion database,
located within an internet "names server" (Domain Name Server or DNS for short).
After the "numbers" address is obtained, a connection is established. As previously stated,
when trying to convert a "words" address, to a "numbers" address, the HOSTS file is checked first.
The enclosed HOSTS file contains a very large listing of pop-up advertising sites, in "words" format.
Each of these sites has been assigned the "numbers" address of 127.0.0.1 (0.0.0.0 might also be used),
instead of their correct "numbers" addresses. The addresses 127.0.0.1 and 0.0.0.0 point to your local machine (the one you are using to read this).
Thus, because the HOSTS file provides a "numbers" address first,
the correct "numbers" address is never looked up, on the internet. So, by redirecting all these "words" addresses
to your own machine, you prevent them from connecting to the places that have the pop-up ads.
If they can't connect to the ad site, they can't get the pop-up contents, thus the ads can not appear.

As stated previously, the HOSTS file may be edited, at any time, to include any new sites that you want to block, or you may also edit in correct IP addresses,
for any sites that you visit frequently.
There is no reason that correct "numbers" addresses can't be mixed with the phony ones. When entered, correct IP addresses will speed up access to the corresponding site,
this is because the "numbers" are obtained from your computer,
instead of from a DNS on the net. Simply obtain the correct "numbers" address, for any desired "words" address, and manually enter them into the HOSTS file.
It is important that you adhere to the same format that has been used by all the other entries. You may obtain the correct "numbers" address for any "words"
address by using the TRACERT command. This command is supplied as part of the Windows operating system.
The TRACERT command must be run from the "DOS Prompt". For example, to obtain the "numbers" for www.google.com, open the "DOS Prompt" window and type the command TRACERT WWW.GOOGLE.COM.
The only part of the resulting display that you will need is the first line. It will say "Tracing route to ....", it will then restate the "words" address,
and it will also show the "numbers" address, in square brackets. This "numbers" address, along with the corresponding "words" address,
can then be typed into the HOSTS file.

Please note that the preceding editing process is not a needed part of this installation. This information has only been provided to give you some guidance concerning
additional use and customization of the HOSTS file.
The HOSTS file supplied in this package may be used without any modifications. If unmodified, this HOSTS file will block those annoying pop-ups,
but it will not speed up your surfing (except that you won't have to close all those stupid advertising windows).

To start using this HOSTS file, it must be extracted, copied or moved to the appropriate directory. If you are using:

Win95,98, or ME, extract it into your Windows directory.
This is normally C:\Windows

WinNT or 2000, extract it to winnt\system32\drivers\etc
This is normally C:\WinNT\System32\Drivers\Etc

Windows XP, extract it to \windows\system32\drivers\etc
This is normally C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc

If Windows is not on your "C" drive, simply modify the
path to reflect your correct Windows directory.

Before using this HOSTS file, make a backup copy of your current HOSTS file, just in case something should go wrong.
A reasonable alternative is to just RENAME the original HOSTS file (I used HOSTS1).

It is strongly suggested that you open the original HOSTS file, with any text editor (like NOTEPAD), to examine its contents.
Some programs, like Norton Antivirus, may have added entries.
If the original HOSTS file does actually contain any entries, it is advisable to highlight them, right-click on the highlighted text,
then choose COPY, to copy them to the clipboard. After the entries are copied, the original HOSTS file may be closed.
Next, open the new HOSTS file (the one that came in this archive), with any text editor (like NOTEPAD), choose a convenient place within the file
(I chose the top, after the comments, but before the other entries). Exact position is not important. After your cursor is positioned, at the spot you want to use,
right-click that spot, choose PASTE, and any material that you copied from the original file will be inserted into the new HOSTS file.

Lastly, if you do come across new pop-ups, that are not currently blocked, please submit the site name, but substitute 127.0.0.1 or 0.0.0.0 for the IP address.

[Xero Grid]

Yep, that should answer some questions. Well, except having to open the HOSTS file with notepad to merge the entries because my installer does that for you.


Oh, I can't forget. Here are a couple of entries that will be removed from the next version. You can choose to remove them on your own if you wish.

127.0.0.1 omen.ru
127.0.0.1 has.it
127.0.0.1 a744.g.akamai.net

I will make a table on the project page displaying currently conflicting entries that will be removed from the next release.

-- Xero Grid --

[erRor67]

Originally posted by Xero Grid@15 May 2004 - 18:50
Cool. It's really great since I can't afford hosting. I'm too poor.
So, thanks.

Am I correct in saying that you posted it on four mirrors? Should I post all of them individually or does your site use a script that randomly choose mirrors? Your help will be noted of course.

--EDIT--
Another one that slipped through. I don't use it so naturally I missed it. But as long as "www." is used in the URL, it won't be blocked because only "has.it" is currently blocked.

-- Xero Grid --

Yup, its on four different mirrors owned by me. I only do it cause sometimes one doesnt work or one would banned me from stealing their bandwidth. Just like them to my site, dont give them the dirrect link cause I dont like that, its leeching
Lol, ok, keep up the good work, its cool to see that the installer isnt just about the supertrick and HOSTS file, you got other neat options avaible.

[Xero Grid]

I made the changes to the project page and as usual, anyone who helps is duely noted.
On another note, I introduced my installer to the B.I.S.S. forums. Someone liked it and maybe I can get some more help from there as well as here.

-- Xero Grid --

[erRor67]

http://www.grc.com has a lot of info on security. It also has some info on disabling certain services that are useless and a security risk. You already have some of them included in the installer, but you can always add more

[Xero Grid]

That's actually where I got the idea for disabling some of those services.
I was thinking about adding and option to disabling Universal Plug and Plug, but I don't think it's really that important. I do have that URL in the Supertrick XG readme file, though.

-- Xero Grid --

[OPaul]

aim-charts.pf.aol.com

Causes AIM version 5.5.3595 (and probably previous versions) to lock up as soon as you sign online, even with that AIM.com Today window turned off on startup.

-- EDIT: --
spamarrest.com
www.spamarrest.com

It's in the "Less common ads, useless sites, and bogus sites" but it seems legit to me, not them I would be willing to sign up to find out however.

-- EDIT 2: --
infobeat.com
www.infobeat.com

Seems like a news article site to me.