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I spend a lot time on a forum that covers different aspects of my hobby; comic collecting.
Here's the site, not that it matters;
http://www.collectors-society.com/
Sometime in the not so distant past they attached a statcounter to their site. I have no problem with that but for some reason when I scrub the drive with Spybot it take multiple scrubbings to remove the Statcounter data miner. Here the site for the SC, not that it matters;
My question is; is there anyway to block the Statcounter from getting planted?
I got Norton running, I scrub with AdAware, Spybot and SpywareBlasters in the back ground.
What can I do or is there anything to do or does it matter?
Thanks
I took a quick look at the page source of that site and they maybe using javascript for that counter. Block the scripting in the browser.
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You could put www.statcounter.com in your hosts file.
If it's not there already, make the very first entry:
127.0.0.1 localhost
Then somewhere beneath it put:
127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.com
If you are already using SpyBots Hosts file then top and tail it with the above entries (ie outside the main body which says it was produced by SpyBot). That way it they will be retained when you get SpyBot updates.Turning off javascript might well work (and is a very safe option) but you will probably miss out on features of many other websites.
DerekW
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Thank DW....this sounds like what I'm after.
I don't/haven't used a host file so I may have additional questions.
Again, thanks.
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Search your machine for it. It should be just Hosts (with no extension). You might just find Hosts.sam which is a "sample". In which case you take a copy of it then modify it using a text editor such as NotePad. Make sure this new copy ends up with no extension and back where you found it.
There's a stack about Hosts out there (probably enough to confuse anybody) but you are only after something simple, or a modification to any Hosts file you happen to be using already.
Shout back if you need more.....
DerekW
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DW....I got the Host file.
After I opened it with Notepad the second line said;
"This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows"
From you previous post, I take it I'm to insert the two lines at the top of the column just below;
# Start of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
Then, I take it I'm to save the Notepad which will then be saved as "...system32\drivers\etc" folder.
Is this correct?
Is there more?
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That's what is called the Hosts.sam (sample) file in W98SE. I'm less familiar with XP but I think that might just be called Hosts.
Open it with NotePad then scroll to the bottom. It should already show 127.0.0.1 localhost (all the stuff with the hashes is ignored). If this is the case then simply add that statcounter entry below it.
So the end of the file should look now like this:
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.comYou then just save it. I'm not sure if you are set to show file extensions (a good idea anyway). If it shows any extension at all then alter it to read just Hosts
If it has no extension it should then work.
DerekW
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NO NO NO
Sorry, I've only just spotted the fact that you are already using SpyBot Hosts.
Then forget all I just said.
Makes sure that 127.0.0.1 local hosts is showing just above # Start of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
Now at the end of the file (after it says End of entries inserted by SpyBot - Search & Destroy) just add 127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.com on its own line.
DerekW
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Hope I've not confused you. All the SpyBot stuff should be between the two entries I gave in #7, and yes, just use NotePad then save it.
DerekW
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... one more thing.
As it's SpyBots Hosts it will be set to Read-only. You've have to right click file and take that off in Properties before you can edit it. Put it back to Read-only after saving.
DerekW
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Okay.....couldn't be easier..!!
Here's what it looks like, I put the statcounter at the top;
127.0.0.1 localhost
# Start of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
127.0.0.1 statcounter.com
127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.comThat entry "# Start of entries....." was already there and as you can see it is located just below the localhost.
Hey DW, thanks for the help.
If I have problems I'll be back.
Thanks.
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Okay...Okay....
I got this at the end, now to save it?
# End of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
127.0.0.1 statcounter.com
127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.com
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That will work but I'm afraid I did confuse you because I hadn't quite pictured what you had in front of you.
The location of 127.0.0.1 localhosts is now fine.
You shouldn't need 127.0.0.1 statcounter.com
You do need 127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.com but I think it would be better as the very last entry in the file. It will then be "after" SpyBots other chat about the end of their entries.
This means that if you ever wish to add more of your own you just plonk them at the bottom which is more convenient. SpyBot will just update it's own, leaving yours intact.
Is that OK now?
DerekW
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Posts crossing like wildfire, my #13 was in answer to your #11.
Now for #12. Bang on, except that I don't think you need the 127.0.0.1 statcounter.com
line.DerekW
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Actually there was no confusion, you instructions were clear.
I took out the "127.0.0.1 statcounter.com" and save it, end of column and after "End..."
Re-applied the "Read-Only" in the properties, I should be good-to-go.
Oh, there was no extension on the Host file.
DW, thanks again. You want me to post here or PM you with the out come from my next couple scrubs?
Thanks....can't say it enough.
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Fine, keep it on the forum for now.
All OK but (as if I've not already said enough) lets just run over the philosophy.
Firstly 127.0.0.1 localhosts should always be the very first active entry and before SpyBot's stuff. Without boring you with why, this entry should stay there forever.
Given that, where you add your own entries such as 127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.com doesn't matter as regards it working. The problem is that if it is plonked in the middle of SpyBot's stuff it will get lost in their updates.
Best place for this and any others you might add is at the end (their order doesn't matter). Then they are easy to find and SpyBot won't touch them.
Done to death now I reckon LOL.
DerekW
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Got it....I was following you all along. We just crossed post at one step, no problem
I'll let you know via the board/thread how this turns out.
I do have another data miner I need to enter. I record daily stream radio [talk] doin’ a wave to mp3 with Total Recorder and burning to a CD. When I can't get one station I log on cross country to another station. I can’t remember which one but one station loads me up with data miners. It's really not a problem but if I don't scrub regular every time I open WMP on another station it give off a hit.
I’ll deal with that later.
Thanks.
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OK. If you ever want to double check that you've got it right you can also run Spybot and look in:
Tools/Hosts FileRight now the first entry should be:
127.0.0.1 localhostsIf you scroll down the last entry should be:
127.0.0.1 www.statcounter.comHosts don't work on domains, only complete websites I'm afraid.
If you have any trouble with that website (not expected) then I'd just delete the www.statcounter.com entry. Leave localhosts in place - it should always be there.
I'm off until tomorrow now - good luck
DerekW
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