About SpywareBlaster defs update [10 Jan 2008]

Hi,

I have some question(s) about the database update for SpywareBlaster on 10 January 2008.

But please let me first express my sincere thanks to you Javacool for all your hard work.
It is most definitely so very much appreciated !!!

 

I posted the update in the update forum section here:
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=197075

 

Well, I noticed that some well known updaters and friends (hey guys ) posted the update in other forums
Most definitely nothing wrong about that , but suddenly I came aware of some numbers that I don't understand....
But maybe there is something wrong on my system, I don't know....
I'll show you in the next postings.

 

I thought that 9268 + 100 = 9368
But sometimes it is 9374 ....
And that's what I don't understand.

Were there 100 or 106 new items

So I did put back a backup image of a few days ago.
This is the screenshot

 

and here is the screenshot while checking for a new database update

 

and here is the result

 

So, is there something wrong on my system?
Or do I not understand something?
Or am I making an huge mistake?

 

Well 9374 is the correct number.

 

Hello Jan,

There were 106 RS items added in the latest database.

One reason for disparity in numbers would be if the user already had six of the same restricted sites in place that Spywareblaster was wanting to add. Are you using Spybot Immunization by chance ?

Bubba

 

Hi BigC and Bubba,

Thanks for your replies !

Although I have Spybot installed, I don't use its Immunization option.

I have IE-SPYAD installed; not the one from 21 Aug 2007, but an earlier one (I think from 20 Jan 2007).

Does SpywareBlaster itself give the info in a readable way that 106 RS items were new?
Has someone a screenshot showing that 106 RS items were new?

I'm afraid that I'm going to need to give up on this....

Cheers, Jan.

 

Yes and No.

While the majority of the file contents is in an un-readable code, the rsdatabase.dtb database file contains the restricted sites. At the top of that file, as it is in all of the database files, is a Header section that provides info.

Since I keep copies of the prior databases, I can say that before this latest update, the last time that file was updated was 11/13/2007 and the latest was 1/10/2008.

3239-3133 = 106 Restricted Sites added

If you desire the list of sites added, I'll be glad to pass them along to you privately Jan if that will help you sleep but in the end it's nothing more to it than what I mentioned earlier.

"One reason for disparity in numbers would be if the user already had six of the same restricted sites in place that Spywareblaster was wanting to add."

Bubba

 

Hello Jan,

I use IE-SPYAD also, with the 21 Aug 2007 version. On my system it showed 83 items added in the new SpywareBlaster update. As Bubba said, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Best wishes,
VV

 

Hi Bubba,

Big thanks for your posting
I really appreciate it very much !

Your posting (about the header in the .dtb files) might also help me in another way.
But then I would need to talk here about the inner working of SpywareBlaster and its files and the wording in its GUI.
I guess that that is something Javacool don't want me to do...

I'll send you a PM, Bubba.
Thanks again !

Most warmest regards, Jan.

 

Hi VV,

Thank you my old friend !
Best wishes to you too !

Most warmest regards, Jan.

 

Hi,

My apologies for the delayed reply (I've been very busy working on the upcoming new release ).

There were 106 sites added to the database but, as you mentioned, it may show more or less "unprotected items" on the after-update screen. Since other programs may add or remove Restricted Sites entries (and other protection), and since users can also do so manually, I wanted to list the number of currently unprotected items after an update, instead of the number of new items added to the database.

This number may differ from machine to machine, but it is a more accurate representation of the benefit of an update to an individual computer system (since it takes into account the current protection on your system, whether it was added/changed by you or by other programs you've installed). It also matches with the total number of unprotected items, as shown on the main screen (i.e. "x items have protection disabled").

I had considered showing both numbers at one point (the number of new items added, and the number of unprotected items), but I was worried that it might cause more confusion. At a minimum, the issue does merit an article in the knowledgebase, which I have added to the to-do list for the new SpywareBlaster release.

Best regards,

-Javacool

 

Thank you Javacool !!!

I do apologize for my posting.