About IE-SPYAD and AGNIS updates [31 Aug 2009]

[FanJ]

This is a follow-up of the update notice in the Update Forum:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=252324

{QUOTE-> 1.
IE-SPYAD :

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.

If you use SpywareBlaster and/or the immunization from Spybot S&D too:
Please remember to re-immunize with them.

2.
AGNIS Ad Block List for AtGuard/NIS/NPF : <-QUOTE}

Quotes from Eric's site http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm :

{QUOTE->
Last Updated: Aug 31 '09

NOTICE: Upon the anticipated release of Norton Internet Security 2010, the AGNIS Ad Block List for AtGuard/NIS/NPF will be discontinued. I do not expect that Symantec will reintroduce the ad blocking feature last seen in NIS 2007 into NIS 2010. With the last version of NIS that supported ad blocking almost three years old, it is simply time to retire this particular block list. IE-SPYAD and the versions of AGNIS for other platforms are unaffected by this change.
<-QUOTE}

[NormanF]

There is no longer a need to block dangerous sites with the introduction of changes made to safeguard against browser exploits and drive by downloads. In addition, Browser Defender will easily alert a user as whether a site is safe to enter. So the IE Spyad-AGNIS blocklists have now been retired.

[FanJ]

Note by me:

I don't remember whether that info "the AGNIS Ad Block List for AtGuard/NIS/NPF will be discontinued" was already earlier showing at Eric's site.
But since I see it now in combination with the info on his site that it was updated on 31 Aug 2009, I thought that I should mention it here.

[FanJ]

{QUOTE-> There is no longer a need to block dangerous sites with the introduction of changes made to safeguard against browser exploits and drive by downloads. In addition, Browser Defender will easily alert a user as whether a site is safe to enter. So the IE Spyad-AGNIS blocklists have now been retired. <-QUOTE}

Hello NormanF,

Everyone can use what he/she wants to use.

[NormanF]

The main problem is that it is virtually impossible to provide throughly comprehensive security against all suspect sites which number in the millions. Keeping a database continuously updated would be a lot of work and Eric Howes is just one man. IE-Spyad/AGNIS still offers some benefit to those still running XP and that's a reason those users should upgrade to Windows 7 which is more secure.

[FanJ]

{QUOTE-> The main problem is that it is virtually impossible to provide throughly comprehensive security against all suspect sites which number in the millions. Keeping a database continuously updated would be a lot of work and Eric Howes is just one man. IE-Spyad/AGNIS still offers some benefit to those still running XP and that's a reason those users should upgrade to Windows 7 which is more secure. <-QUOTE}

Please allow me to point you to the topic of this thread:
About IE-SPYAD and AGNIS updates [31 Aug 2009]