Browser Sentinel ??
Monday, December 29, 2003 by dabe | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
One of my favorite websites is www.majorgeeks.com. Every day, I check to see what new program has been added, what's been updated, and what looks interesting. If I need a specific application, for registry cleaning, let's say, I go there to see what looks interesting. Actually, it's how I found this site, and the whole skinning thing. 
Anyway, they have a new program listed, called Browser Sentinel 1.3, http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4080.html, that identifies if any program gets attached to your browser without your knowledge. It seems like a good thing, but it's quite pricey. Anyone know of such things? Are there other ways to detect such things? Is this different than what spyware programs, such as Ad-Aware, detect? Would/should I need this?
An inquiring mind (and a paranoid one)
Anyway, they have a new program listed, called Browser Sentinel 1.3, http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4080.html, that identifies if any program gets attached to your browser without your knowledge. It seems like a good thing, but it's quite pricey. Anyone know of such things? Are there other ways to detect such things? Is this different than what spyware programs, such as Ad-Aware, detect? Would/should I need this?
An inquiring mind (and a paranoid one)
sig101
Reply #2 Monday, December 29, 2003 7:43 PM
Reply #2 Monday, December 29, 2003 7:43 PM
Ah, don't know about this particular app but there are other apps that should help prevent such things (like spyware and browser highjacking) and there are apps that can let you see what browser helper objects (BHO's) are installed to work with your IE. I'm talking freeware. I'm not aware of a freeware all in one deal that seems to cover all of this stuff but you might check out apps like SpyBot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware, SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard. (Googling by name should get you to their sites.)
SSD and AA are for scanning to check for spyware, not really preventative as far as I'm aware, although SSD does do some things that perhaps SWB does better in terms of prevention. SWB and SG are preventative apps. There's at least one app I've used long ago to view BHO's but I can think of the name at the moment.
Right now there are more commercial apps coming out for this stuff, but you have to be careful. Some of them are actually sold by outfits that engage in spyware and have found another way to profit off it. Others simply charge for stuff others provide for free (although donations are ususally welcome for the freeware developers). Some of these apps vendors also have ripped some of the freeware apps and are now making bucks off their rips. (Again I don't know about the app you mentioned, so no reflection on that one at all, just the marketplace for these sort of apps is getting rather cut throat.)
Spywareinfo.com is a good site with forums to check out apps or what's new in the fight against spyware. They also have forums there where you can ask about apps or post if you have a problem identifying and/or getting rid of some of this crud from your pc. You might want to check it out too. Hope this helps.
SSD and AA are for scanning to check for spyware, not really preventative as far as I'm aware, although SSD does do some things that perhaps SWB does better in terms of prevention. SWB and SG are preventative apps. There's at least one app I've used long ago to view BHO's but I can think of the name at the moment.
Right now there are more commercial apps coming out for this stuff, but you have to be careful. Some of them are actually sold by outfits that engage in spyware and have found another way to profit off it. Others simply charge for stuff others provide for free (although donations are ususally welcome for the freeware developers). Some of these apps vendors also have ripped some of the freeware apps and are now making bucks off their rips. (Again I don't know about the app you mentioned, so no reflection on that one at all, just the marketplace for these sort of apps is getting rather cut throat.)
Spywareinfo.com is a good site with forums to check out apps or what's new in the fight against spyware. They also have forums there where you can ask about apps or post if you have a problem identifying and/or getting rid of some of this crud from your pc. You might want to check it out too. Hope this helps.
kongit
Reply #3 Monday, December 29, 2003 9:14 PM
Reply #3 Monday, December 29, 2003 9:14 PM
just use firebird. I haven't had anything attach itself to it.
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #4 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:15 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:15 PM
Unfortunately IE is the largest target for these yahoos.I recently had a bad eperience with a browser hijacker called 'coolwebsearch'.They are an extremely clever bunch let me tell you.Grabbed my browser and not only added a bunch of porn links but erased all MY links.If only they would use their powers for good. 
This is basically a virus/trojan.Tough to get rid of.I'd whup their ASS if I could get my hands on them. >
If you encounter this one,do a google search on their name and look for the removal tool.(and check out all the 'I hate 'coolwebsearch' pages.Coolwebsearch's own ad says "the search engine you can trust" grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! 
This is basically a virus/trojan.Tough to get rid of.I'd whup their ASS if I could get my hands on them. >
If you encounter this one,do a google search on their name and look for the removal tool.(and check out all the 'I hate 'coolwebsearch' pages.Coolwebsearch's own ad says "the search engine you can trust" grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! 
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #5 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:17 PM
Reply #5 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:17 PM
SSD is supposed to have an 'immunize' feature,dont know how well it works.Neither SSD or AA could remove 'coolwebsearch'.
digital_trucker
Reply #6 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:51 PM
Reply #6 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:51 PM
Immunize works GREAT. Although I mainly use Mozilla, I occasionally use IE for a couple of sites that don't seem to like 'zilla very much. Immunized SSD has caught many many things that like to creep into IE.
sig101
Reply #7 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 2:13 PM
Reply #7 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 2:13 PM
IRB: CWShredder is an app designed to get rid of that bugger should you still need it. You can find it here on the author's site: http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html Hmnn...it looks like there's also something there related to BHO's also. (I hadn't visited the site before but am familiar by rep with HijackThis...something to help diagnose and get rid of some nasty spyware stuff.)
Actually most if not all of this crap can be avoided by not allowing ActiveX enabled on all sites, either set it to prompt or reserve it for trusted sites. Tightening up IE browser settings for better security avoids most of this stuff. Prevention is easier than the cure. Also allowing active scripting on all sites is a bit of an invitation for all sort of goodies, if your surfing habits are not particularly circumspect. Disable download on demand for explorer and IE also through Internet Options Advanced I believe. That serves no good purpose but to allow foistware on one's PC.
Actually most if not all of this crap can be avoided by not allowing ActiveX enabled on all sites, either set it to prompt or reserve it for trusted sites. Tightening up IE browser settings for better security avoids most of this stuff. Prevention is easier than the cure. Also allowing active scripting on all sites is a bit of an invitation for all sort of goodies, if your surfing habits are not particularly circumspect. Disable download on demand for explorer and IE also through Internet Options Advanced I believe. That serves no good purpose but to allow foistware on one's PC.
digital_trucker
Reply #9 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 6:37 PM
Reply #9 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 6:37 PM
All sorts of Mozilla goodness...(and Firebird and Thunderbird).
http://www.mozilla.org/products/
http://www.mozilla.org/products/
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #11 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:50 PM
Reply #11 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:50 PM
Yes sig,I have done ALL those things...now,hehe.
dabe
Reply #12 Wednesday, December 31, 2003 9:03 AM
Reply #12 Wednesday, December 31, 2003 9:03 AM
Thanks for all the replies. I use Mozilla Thunderbird as my email client, and I love it. Makes me feel very safe. 
But, I find Firebird to be a bit "clunky", for lack of a better term. It seems to hang and jerk and just not run as smoothly as IE, unfortunately. I just don't know why. Ars Tecnica has a really good review of it; actually of the gecko engine, itself. But, as I said, I'm sticking with IE for now. However, I'm using that nifty lil' overlay, called Avant Browser. Seems to work well.
I'm going to try Spybot Search and Destroy. Seems like Ad-Aware and Spybot are a favorite combo among you techie types. Maybe I'll try a few others. I won't pay for a program unless I'm sure I'm not getting duped. And, that's almost impossible. I'm not the most trusting of souls when it comes to internet security.
But, I find Firebird to be a bit "clunky", for lack of a better term. It seems to hang and jerk and just not run as smoothly as IE, unfortunately. I just don't know why. Ars Tecnica has a really good review of it; actually of the gecko engine, itself. But, as I said, I'm sticking with IE for now. However, I'm using that nifty lil' overlay, called Avant Browser. Seems to work well.
I'm going to try Spybot Search and Destroy. Seems like Ad-Aware and Spybot are a favorite combo among you techie types. Maybe I'll try a few others. I won't pay for a program unless I'm sure I'm not getting duped. And, that's almost impossible. I'm not the most trusting of souls when it comes to internet security.
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Reply #1 Monday, December 29, 2003 7:12 PM
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4080.html
This should work