Blocking Ad.doubleclick.net from Windows PCs

Kernel_Sanders

I'm trying to minimize the amount of data disappearing from my allowance, and am attempting to prevent the Google-owned Ad.doubleclick.net from accessing Opera, which I am using on XP (my allowance is near end-month and is dwindling, so I'm utilising Opera's compression service in Turbo mode.)
I don't think I have any malicious programmes from them, but I know they are leaving cookies when I visit websites. I've followed the advice in Option 1 on this page:
http://forums.anvisoft.com/viewtopic-45-6155-0.html but have hit the problem shown on the screenprint. When I right-click on the 'hosts' folder and select 'open with', the error comes up. Where is the folder options control panel and what association do I make?

debitcardmayhem

Install MVPS hosts http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

Follow the guide on their site

Kernel_Sanders

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Install MVPS hosts http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

Follow the guide on their site

Right-clicking the hosts.zip link doesn't give an option to Save Target As, so I've just downloaded it to the downloads folder. Do I Extract All, Open With something else or just Open? Or should I move it into C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc unopened?

debitcardmayhem

Did you follow their guide? never mind.... extract all, then look for the mvps.bat file, right click and run as administrator

Or tell me which version of windows you have

Release Notes for the MVPS HOSTS File (c) All Rights Reserved
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip


[Install Instructions for using the included Installer]

You may use the included batch file "mvps.bat" to copy the included HOSTS file to the proper
location on your machine. This batch file will backup the existing HOSTS file prior to copying
the updated version. The backed-up file will be renamed to HOSTS.MVP.

To use: right-click mvps.bat and select: Run as Administrator (older Windows versions = double-click to run)

Important: Windows Win8/Win7/Vista requires special instructions:
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostswin8.htm (Windows 8)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostswin7.htm (Windows 7)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsvista.htm (Vista)

***********************************************

Note: if prompted by one of your Security programs about this file, allow it to run.
Also if you are prompted by a Security program about changes to the HOSTS file = allow them.

***********************************************

debitcardmayhem

Hmmm forum got in the way of the rest of the post, but the gist is all there

maas

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I'm trying to minimize the amount of data disappearing from my allowance, and am attempting to prevent the Google-owned Ad.doubleclick.net from accessing Opera, which I am using on XP (my allowance is near end-month and is dwindling, so I'm utilising Opera's compression service in Turbo mode.)
I don't think I have any malicious programmes from them, but I know they are leaving cookies when I visit websites. I've followed the advice in Option 1 on this page:
http://forums.anvisoft.com/viewtopic-45-6155-0.html but have hit the problem shown on the screenprint. When I right-click on the 'hosts' folder and select 'open with', the error comes up. Where is the folder options control panel and what association do I make?

As debitcard suggests, its best to simply grab the hosts file from MVPS which they've updated it with all the $hite off the internet. You'll most likely need to edit it once you have it, as some of the sites it blocks out inadvertently restrict access to some common websites.

I'm not sure why Windows isnt giving you the option to choose a program to open the Hosts file, but the alternative is to open notepad.exe and then open the file directly from within there. When you get to the folder location in notepad, just change the 'file name' entry to *.* and press enter. It should then show the hosts file.

Armorica

Can't you just block images from doubleclick?

Kernel_Sanders

Armorica wrote: »

Can't you just block images from doubleclick?

Don't have any (cookies aren't images).

esuhl

Why not just install something like Adblock Plus?
https://addons.opera.com/extensions/details/opera-adblock/

Kernel_Sanders

HOSTS.MVP has been added, but why does it say it was modified 13 years ago?
I've turned off DNS Client Service and rebooted. After some browsing, doubleclick returns. Do I now have to modify the MVP file or something?

GunJack

esuhl wrote: »

Why not just install something like Adblock Plus?
https://addons.opera.com/extensions/details/opera-adblock/

+1 for this.... how have you managed to use a browser for so long without such an add-on when it's been available for years ??