Restringing the sites zone: IE-SPYAD

IE-SPYAD Restricted Sites List

Last Updated: Feb 5 '08
Please Note: the original IE-SPYAD format that used .REG files to load and unload the Restricted Sites list is no longer available and will not be maintained. The same holds true for IE-SPYAD2. Both are replaced by what used to be called IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut. ZonedOut is a free utility that loads and unloads a plain text list of domains into the Restricted sites zone. You can think of ZonedOut as an improved replacement for the .BAT file utility used in the "original" IE-SPYAD. This new version of IE-SPYAD provides the same protection as the old version, but is easier to use and maintain.

IE-SPYAD contains a set of Internet Explorer "Restricted sites" lists for use with ZonedOut, a free Internet Explorer zone management utility available from FunkyToad:
http://www.funkytoad.com/content/view/15/33/

This Restricted sites list is the same as the older "original" IE-SPYAD. The ZonedOut utility from FunkyToad simply automates the process of loading the IE-SPYAD sites list into Internet Explorer's Restricted sites zone, much like the batch file installer in the "original" IE-SPYAD.

IE-SPYAD adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer. Once you merge this list of sites and domains into the Registry, the web sites for these companies will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they be able to use your browser to push unwanted pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on your PC.

Please note that IE-SPYAD is not an ad blocker. It will not block standard banner ads in Internet Explorer. What this Restricted sites list of known advertisers and crapware pushers will do, however, is:

• stop unwanted crapware from being installed behind your
  back via "drive-by-downloads";
   
• prevent the hijacking of your home page and other key
  Internet Explorer settings;
   
• shut down ActiveX, Java, and scripting, all of which can
  be employed to push obnoxious advertising on you and
  compromise your privacy and security;
   
• block cookies, which can be used to monitor and track your 
  travels around the Internet;
   
• combat obnoxious script-based popups that clutter your
  screen and force unwanted advertising on you.

This Restricted sites list is based in part on info from:

• discussions in the SpywareInfo Forums, Spyware Warrior, CastleCops,
  and other forums that specialize in crapware removal
  
• major crapware reference sites:
  and.doxdesk.com
  CounterExploitation
  Kephyr.com
  PestPatrol
  Spyware Guide
  Webhelper
  
• the latest updates to well-known anti-crapware programs such
  as SpyBot Search & Destroy, Ad-aware, and SpywareBlaster
  
• updates to the MVPS and hpguru HOSTS files

You can read a "Targeting and Inclusion Policy" for IE-SPYAD HERE.
For privacy and security in Internet Explorer, you may also be interested in another utility available from this site: Enough is Enough!.

Compatibility:
This ad/spy server "Restricted Zone" list can be used with the following versions of Internet Explorer:

• Internet Explorer 7.0
• Internet Explorer 6.0 (incl. SP1)
• Internet Explorer 5.5 (incl. SP1 & SP2)
• ...
  

Note: this file works only with Internet Explorer; it will have no effect whatsoever on Opera, Mozilla, Netscape 6.0/7.0, or the older Netscape Navigator/Communicator.

To use the IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut "Restricted sites" lists you must also download ZonedOut, a free Internet Explorer zone management utility:
http://www.funkytoad.com/content/view/15/33/

Installation & Use:

To install and uninstall the IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut Restricted sites lists, you must download and use ZonedOut, a free Internet Explorer zone management utility:
http://www.funkytoad.com/content/view/15/33/

After you load the IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut Restricted sites list, make sure that your settings for the Restricted sites zone in Internet Explorer are configured for maximum paranoia (i.e., set everything to "Disable" or "Prompt").

For more information on installing and using the IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut Restricted sites list as well as the ZonedOut utility, consult the ReadMe.txt included in the package. To view ReadMe.txt online, click HERE.

For more information on the Restricted sites zone, how it is used, as well as troubleshooting tips, see the ReadMe for the "original" IE-SPYAD HERE.

Uninstall Previous Versions:
If you have installed a previous version of IE-SPYAD, you should uninstall that old version before installing the new version. Use the ZonedOut utility from FunkyToad to uninstall those older versions, including any "original" versions of IE-SPYAD that you might have installed. (Note that the ZonedOut utility will not uninstall IE-SPYAD2 versions of the Restricted sites list. To uninstall IE-SPYAD2, use the uninstaller that came with IE-SPYAD2.)

IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut

IE-SPYAD_ZO.EXE	315 KB	PGP signature
IE-SPYAD_ZO.ZIP	247 KB	PGP signature

To use the IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut Restricted sites lists you must also download ZonedOut, a free Internet Explorer zone management utility:
http://www.funkytoad.com/content/view/15/33/

For a list of additions and changes to the most recent common list from which both AGNIS and IE-SPYAD were built, see this summary.

IE-SPYAD is distributed with a License, which you should read. A copy of that License is included with every downloadable package of IE-SPYAD. You can read a copy of that License online HERE.