Re: [privoxy-users] How to block...

[data64 <da...@gm...>]

On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 13:36:54 -0600, Matthew J. Brown <mj...@sr...> wrote:
> Greetings,
> 
> I have limited web programming experience.. and nothing outside of the scope
> of HTML.. so I'm wondering how Spyware infects, exactly, and how Privoxy
> could be used to block it.

A  good resource on this is the alt.privacy.spyware newsgroup.
<http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.privacy.spyware>

> 
> For example, I found out today that the Windows "firewall" has a backdoor..
> however, a registry key needs to be added.. this apparently is taking place
> via web sites.
> 
> What would the code look like that would add/change/remove a registry key?
> 

This is usually accomplished using an ActiveX control. This means it
is IE specific. Get a more secure browser like FireFox and you will be
safe.

> Can Privoxy block this?
> 

There is predefined filter for ie-exploits
<http://www.privoxy.org/user-manual/filter-file.html#PREDEFINED-FILTERS>
but I don't think is all that actively maintained and it does not
currently filter out activeX. You could write a custom filter but IMHO
it will probably be easier to switch to a better browser.

data64