Annoyware

[Shut Up Legs]

Have any of you noticed in recent years that web pages take far too long to load?

Once upon a time, the limiting factor was simply the amount of text and images it contained. Now, it seems there are a large number of different links that get traversed for all the "supporting" web sites, e.g.

• Google Analytics
• Doubleclick.net (bloody adware)
• Twitter
• Facebook

I have a cunning plan, though, m'lord. It is to modify the 'hosts' file (this approach is equally practical whether you're using Windoze or Linux/Unix), and for any unwanted sites, create an entry in the file mapped to the loopback address 127.0.0.1. I suspect that it may result in some pages displaying badly, perhaps even not at all, but it's worth a try.

I only wish I could try this approach on my work PC, but I.T. security here is tighter than Maid Marion's chastity belt, and I can do very little to my work PC's configuration.

--- Victor.

 

[classic33]

@Shut Up Legs, questions!
Is it legal?
Is it likely to annoy the owners of those sites?
Where would the Loop Back address take them?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

@Shut Up Legs, questions!
Is it legal?
Is it likely to annoy the owners of those sites?
Where would the Loop Back address take them?

It wouldn't affect them. Setting a web address (URL) to 127.0.0.1 in your hosts file simply means that if that site sends you a network packet (i.e any data), it will just be rejected by your PC. It's no different in overall principle to installing and using an ad-blocking plugin for your browser, really. So, I'm pretty sure it's legal - here, at least.

(For now, until our increasingly paranoid government gets around to banning anything and everything).

(Except wearing helmets while cycling, of course - can't ban that, perish the thought).

A tip: try Googling "blocking sites using loopback address", and read a few of the pages, it's interesting (well, it is to me, anyway).

 

[ufkacbln]

I use "Ghostery" to list and block these sites

 

[Alex H]

If you use Firefox, get this https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/noscript/

I have a very slow connection here and was wondering why some pages took forever to load - particularly the front page of the Independent.

I found it had 22 scripts running on it - using Noscript I can use it normally with only 2 running (apart from comments on articles, but then who cares?)

 

[Levo-Lon]

Everything loads in a blink on my samsung tablet.
the laptop ...............is...................slow....er...... i dont know why

 

[yello]

The internet is a large shopping directory, one big online yellow pages. Type any meaningless phrase into a search engine and it'll return some website trying to sell you it, and links for getting it 50% off.

 

[drummerbod]

Been doing it for years - here...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

This great site constantly updates the host file. I don't get adverts on Youtube or any crud at all.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Prepare yourself for the dim question now chaps but will this work with my devices running Norton 360 or will Norton try to stop it ?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Been doing it for years - here...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

This great site constantly updates the host file. I don't get adverts on Youtube or any crud at all.

Yes, I've used that one also.

 

[drummerbod]

Prepare yourself for the dim question now chaps but will this work with my devices running Norton 360 or will Norton try to stop it ?

Anti Virus won't care. The HOST file is a standard windows file open to modification.

 

[CopperCyclist]

What I find most annoying is those sites that modify themselves to display 'better' on a phone - that actually just results in a sluggish performance, with adverts popping up every few seconds.

I give up as soon as I recognise them now!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Eh? Must get out more

 

[Wafer]

Anti Virus won't care. The HOST file is a standard windows file open to modification.

It might care, some security software will monitor stuff like hosts file in case something tries to edit it maliciously. That said I also wouldn't touch Norton with a barge pole. Probably does more to slow your machine down than web sites running a bunch of scripts.

 

[cyberknight]

I use "Ghostery" to list and block these sites

If you use Firefox, get this https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/noscript/

I have a very slow connection here and was wondering why some pages took forever to load - particularly the front page of the Independent.

I found it had 22 scripts running on it - using Noscript I can use it normally with only 2 running (apart from comments on articles, but then who cares?)

I use both on firefox and adblockplus