How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?

[Ed Mullen]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?

Tom wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:45:20 -0400, C A Upsdell wrote:
>

>If Windows, Ctrl Alt Delete to call up the task manager; select the
>browser; kill it.

>
Very inelegant.
>
When you have a dozen tabs open, killing the browser, kills all the tabs.
>
When you restart Firefox, it asks if you want to open all the old tabs,
but, of course, that will just open the quicksand site all over again.
>
So, without editing the hosts file and shift reloading, you're forced to
say NO to reloading your old tabs ... and you lose them all.
>
That's why you don't kill the browser session.
>
Luckily we found a single-click way to solve the problem (type "start ->
run -hosts, add the offending domain, and shift reload the browser). This
turns the quicksand URL into cement. Voila! Thanks to hummingbird!

No one should pay any attention to any posts by "Tom". This is idiotic
to the max.

And, by the way, what sites are you surfing to that redirect you to
these so-called "quicksand" sites? Is this a problem for anyone else?
Or for anything less than a miniscule percentage of users? I doubt it.
Is this a problem for anyone else? I doubt it.

This entire issue is bogus as are all of the posts from "Tom"

Hey, just my opinion. But, I post in the clear with a legitimate mail
address and have done so for many years. You all can make up your own
minds. I have marked "Tom" as a troll. A potentially dangerous one at that.

--
Ed Mullen

http://edmullen.net

Can you be a closet claustrophobic?

[C A Upsdell]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?

Tom wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:45:20 -0400, C A Upsdell wrote:
>

>If Windows, Ctrl Alt Delete to call up the task manager; select the
>browser; kill it.

>
Very inelegant.

Inelegant. But reliable, and safe.

[C A Upsdell]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?

Tom wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:45:20 -0400, C A Upsdell wrote:
>

>If Windows, Ctrl Alt Delete to call up the task manager; select the
>browser; kill it.

>
Very inelegant.

Inelegant. But reliable, and safe.

[Tom]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:43:02 -0400, C A Upsdell wrote:

>>If Windows, Ctrl Alt Delete to call up the task manager; select the
>>browser; kill it.

>>
>Very inelegant.

>
Inelegant. But reliable, and safe.

I agree. It's what I used to do before I found Hummingbird's more elegant
hosts file solution.

Thanks everyone,
Tom

[Ed Mullen]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?

Tom wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:36:51 +0100, hummingbird wrote:
>

>>Rather after-the-fact isn't it?

>He can use the hosts file to avoid going to that site

>
The whole point is to be able to get out of the quicksand without having to
kill the entire browser session (losing all your tabs).

You have not demonstrated that this is an issue. Most of the URLS you
posted died as a 403 or something. This is a non-issue for 99% of users
and I believe you are (at best) spamming, at worst trying to suck people
into your links. Well, ok, you could just be stupid.

>
If you kill the browser, yet you wanted the OTHER tabs (not the quicksand
tab), you can't ever start it again 'cuz you can only recover all the tabs
or none of the tabs.

What? You are clueless.

So, this hosts edit and then doing a shift reload, allows you to blank out
the one quicksand tab and move on with your life.
>
Elegant, isn't it?

Not!

Idiotic at best when considered in light of his other posts.
--
Ed Mullen

http://edmullen.net

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

[Tom]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:43:02 -0400, C A Upsdell wrote:

>>If Windows, Ctrl Alt Delete to call up the task manager; select the
>>browser; kill it.

>>
>Very inelegant.

>
Inelegant. But reliable, and safe.

I agree. It's what I used to do before I found Hummingbird's more elegant
hosts file solution.

Thanks everyone,
Tom

[Ed Mullen]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?

Tom wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:36:51 +0100, hummingbird wrote:
>

>>Rather after-the-fact isn't it?

>He can use the hosts file to avoid going to that site

>
The whole point is to be able to get out of the quicksand without having to
kill the entire browser session (losing all your tabs).

You have not demonstrated that this is an issue. Most of the URLS you
posted died as a 403 or something. This is a non-issue for 99% of users
and I believe you are (at best) spamming, at worst trying to suck people
into your links. Well, ok, you could just be stupid.

>
If you kill the browser, yet you wanted the OTHER tabs (not the quicksand
tab), you can't ever start it again 'cuz you can only recover all the tabs
or none of the tabs.

What? You are clueless.

So, this hosts edit and then doing a shift reload, allows you to blank out
the one quicksand tab and move on with your life.
>
Elegant, isn't it?

Not!

Idiotic at best when considered in light of his other posts.
--
Ed Mullen

http://edmullen.net

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

[Me Here]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?


Tom wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:45:20 -0400, C A Upsdell wrote:
>

>If Windows, Ctrl Alt Delete to call up the task manager; select the
>browser; kill it.

>
Very inelegant.
>
When you have a dozen tabs open, killing the browser, kills all the tabs.
>
When you restart Firefox, it asks if you want to open all the old tabs,
but, of course, that will just open the quicksand site all over again.
>
So, without editing the hosts file and shift reloading, you're forced to
say NO to reloading your old tabs ... and you lose them all.
>
That's why you don't kill the browser session.
>
Luckily we found a single-click way to solve the problem (type "start ->
run -hosts, add the offending domain, and shift reload the browser). This
turns the quicksand URL into cement. Voila! Thanks to hummingbird!

If you have other tabs open that you want to keep viewing, then yes,
it's a good immediate, albeit 'temporary' solution to the problem. I
say temporary because using a Hosts file isn't a good solution. Many
malware sites scan and remove their listings from hosts files (and even
locking it via the read-only attribute won't protect you). They do it
by making you log into a benign site first (one that isn't blocked) and
using that to remove their entry from your Hosts file before redirecting
you and trapping your browser. Even running free FireFox addons such as
NoScript won't protect you unless you've been caught before and know not
to allow the site access to Java or JS. You should really be running
an IP blocking program like PeerGuardian or if that is too much hassle,
do what I do and use OpenDNS. I'm sure there are other solutions, those
two just spring to mind. My advice, if you don't want this happening
again and you're the type that's likely to run across sites like these
often, is to do a bit of research into blocking methods and choose the
one that best suits your need.


--
Me Here


I've started referring to the proposed action against Iraq as Desert
Storm 1.1, since it reminds me of a Microsoft upgrade: it's expensive,
most people aren't sure they want it, and it probably won't work. --
Kevin G. Barkes 2002

[Alfred Einstein]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?


"Ed Mullen" <ed@edmullen.ne twrote in message
news:oIGdnTP_78 JRXufVnZ2dnUVZ_ uydnZ2d@comcast .com...

Tom wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:52:18 -0400, Ed Mullen wrote:
>>

>>Why are you jumping through all these hoops? The Windows "hosts" file
>>is a plain text file you can edit in Notepad.

>>
>I know, I know. Microsoft put the c:\windows\syst em32\drivers\et c\hosts
>file in the most
>ridiculous non-intuitive spot it could possibly find, deep in muck, deep
>under large directories that take a while to load, and without a decent
>extension so you have to grope for your text editor (mine is vim
>freeware).
>>
>So, rather than "jump thru hoops" each time just to edit the hosts file,
>I
>add a one-time-only registry key "hosts" which opens up the TEXT file (so
>that I have a backup if I need it). When I type "Start -Run -hosts",
>vim opens up that
>c:\windows\sys tem32\drivers\e tc\hosts.txt text file, where I edit and
>save
>to "hosts" which it saves in the current directory (i.e.,
>c:\windows\sys tem32\drivers\e tc\hosts).
>>
>That's a LOT easier than navigating deep into the windows hierarchy into
>the least logical place MS could have placed the hosts file and then
>fumbling around to get notepad to edit the file with no extension.

>
Nonsense!
>
You have detailed a process that does not work in my standard install of
WXP-SP3. You have further created a questionable process involving
editing the Windows Registry which is, at best, a questionable process in
and of itself, and hardly something to be posting to a newsgroup.
>
Further, you have not answered satisfactorily any questions of the links
you posted. And, your bizarre approach to a HOSTS file is ...
mind-blowingly stupid.
>
I deem this entire thread bogus at best, threatening at worst. I
encourage no one to do anything that "Tom" has recommended until he
demonstrates that he actually knows what he's doing by citing
authoritative references.
>
That HOSTS file and registry stuff is total nonsense and the product of
(at best) someone who has not a clue and who has been surfing and copied
suspect references.

Nonsense. This is a fine solution (though I can think of simpler ones ...
like just creating a shortcut to vim-edit the hosts file).

[Alfred Einstein]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?


"Ed Mullen" <ed@edmullen.ne twrote in message
news:X7Cdnc2HA5 I5UufVnZ2dnUVZ_ tXinZ2d@comcast .com...

Tom wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:36:51 +0100, hummingbird wrote:
>>

>>>Rather after-the-fact isn't it?
>>He can use the hosts file to avoid going to that site

>>
>The whole point is to be able to get out of the quicksand without having
>to
>kill the entire browser session (losing all your tabs).

>
You have not demonstrated that this is an issue. Most of the URLS you
posted died as a 403 or something. This is a non-issue for 99% of users
and I believe you are (at best) spamming, at worst trying to suck people
into your links. Well, ok, you could just be stupid.
>

>>
>If you kill the browser, yet you wanted the OTHER tabs (not the quicksand
>tab), you can't ever start it again 'cuz you can only recover all the
>tabs
>or none of the tabs.

>
What? You are clueless.
>

>So, this hosts edit and then doing a shift reload, allows you to blank
>out
>the one quicksand tab and move on with your life.
>>
>Elegant, isn't it?

>
Not!
>
Idiotic at best when considered in light of his other posts.

Hey Ed. Are you Bare Bottoms in disguise. Or just a wannabee?.

[Alfred Einstein]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?


"Ed Mullen" <ed@edmullen.ne twrote in message
news:oIGdnTL_78 LaWefVnZ2dnUVZ_ uydnZ2d@comcast .com...

Tom wrote:

>On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:52:18 -0400, Ed Mullen wrote:
>>

>>And do a search on "hosts.exe" and you'll find things like this:

>>
>I know. I know.
>>
>Those who know the Windows registry know that, in Microsoft's infinite
>wisdom, the "App Paths" key MUST end with "exe" for it to work. There is
>no hosts.exe (I repeat) there is no hosts.exe. The whole point of the App
>Paths key is to make the editing of hosts a
>simple one-click affair.
>>
>But, Microsoft insists that ALL "Apps Paths" keys end with "exe" whether
>or
>not the file you're trying to open ends with ".exe".
>>
>So, that's the ONLY reason the hosts App Path key is called "hosts.exe" .
>>
>Please reply if you understand this 'cuz I feel badly that this was
>misunderstoo d by a few of you.

>
You do not have a freaking clue. Your entire rant about the HOSTS file
management process in Windows is ignorant at best, damaging most likely,
possibly intent on some nefarious goal.

I think Ed is dead in the head.

[Beauregard T. Shagnasty]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browser captive until you install their software?

Me Here wrote:

If you have other tabs open that you want to keep viewing, then yes,
it's a good immediate, albeit 'temporary' solution to the problem. I
say temporary because using a Hosts file isn't a good solution. Many
malware sites scan and remove their listings from hosts files (and even
locking it via the read-only attribute won't protect you).

What? You are gonna have to find reliable cites for that nonsense.

They do it by making you log into a benign site first (one that isn't
blocked) and using that to remove their entry from your Hosts file
before redirecting you and trapping your browser. Even running free
FireFox addons such as NoScript won't protect you unless you've been
caught before and know not to allow the site access to Java or JS.

More bollox.

--
-bts
-Friends don't let friends drive Windows

[Me Here]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?


Beauregard T. Shagnasty wrote:

Me Here wrote:
>

>If you have other tabs open that you want to keep viewing, then yes,
>it's a good immediate, albeit 'temporary' solution to the problem. I
>say temporary because using a Hosts file isn't a good solution. Many
>malware sites scan and remove their listings from hosts files (and even
>locking it via the read-only attribute won't protect you).

>
What? You are gonna have to find reliable cites for that nonsense.

Google is your friend. I won't do your homework for you.



--
Me Here


Now each one of us, black or white, is a symbol. The war is out in the
open and the skin color is a uniform. All the deep and basic
similarities of the human condition are forgotten so that we can
exaggerate the few differences that exist. -- John D. MacDonald, The
Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper

[Me Here]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?


Beauregard T. Shagnasty wrote:

Me Here wrote:
>

>If you have other tabs open that you want to keep viewing, then yes,
>it's a good immediate, albeit 'temporary' solution to the problem. I
>say temporary because using a Hosts file isn't a good solution. Many
>malware sites scan and remove their listings from hosts files (and even
>locking it via the read-only attribute won't protect you).

>
What? You are gonna have to find reliable cites for that nonsense.
>

Oh, just so I don't get the wrong idea - are you saying that malware
can't change the hosts file or that you've never heard of it being done?



--
Me Here


"Your vote certainly counts. On the other hand, your vote may not be
counted." -- Robert Richie, Center for Voting and Democracy, commenting
on the 2000 Presidential election.

[Me Here]

Re: How to navigate away from quicksand domains which hold your browsercaptive until you install their software?


Beauregard T. Shagnasty wrote:

Me Here wrote:
>

>If you have other tabs open that you want to keep viewing, then yes,
>it's a good immediate, albeit 'temporary' solution to the problem. I
>say temporary because using a Hosts file isn't a good solution. Many
>malware sites scan and remove their listings from hosts files (and even
>locking it via the read-only attribute won't protect you).

>
What? You are gonna have to find reliable cites for that nonsense.
>

>They do it by making you log into a benign site first (one that isn't
>blocked) and using that to remove their entry from your Hosts file
>before redirecting you and trapping your browser. Even running free
>FireFox addons such as NoScript won't protect you unless you've been
>caught before and know not to allow the site access to Java or JS.

>
More bollox.
>

Ahh fuckit, I wasn't going to do your homework but I just couldn't help
Googling to see how many links popped up - so many I just shook my head
and laughed. Of course, wikipedia was among the top 3...

Here's two to start you off explaining why hosts files by themselves
aren't secure and how easily they get hijacked:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file

and just in case you have doubts about the authenticity of information
in wikipedia:

http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/glossary/hosts_file.xml

Once you've grasped that, then you may begin to realise why, if you use
a hosts file to block stuff, you need to run a hosts file manager (all
good hosts file managers monitor the hosts file for unauthorised
attempts at changing it) or else you're just pissing in the wind.

Next time, please Google and get your facts right before slighting
someone else's post.


--
Me Here


The speed is a pain, but better than a 1/2 hour drive across Munich. --
Bernhard Schneck, Re: disk NFS-mounted via PPP (1993)