SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search & Destroy.

In IE7 I have 'hardened' the Internet Security Settings considerably,
including disabling Active Scripting. Scripted websites which I absolutely
trust are added to Trusted sites. Among these are websites from highly
reputable financial institutions and Microsoft/Windows update sites.

This arrangement has been working for me just fine for a very long time.
However, recently some of these trusted websites do not open in the Trusted
zone anymore but instead trying to open in the Internet zone. Needless to
say that since Active Scripting is disabled in the Internet Zone the
websites won't open correctly.

I reset IE7 numerous times, always followed by enabling all (updated)
protections SpywareBlaster and Spybot S&D have to offer. The problem did not
go away.

Well, I reset IE7 again but this time without utilizing either
Spywareblaster and Spybot S&D and was pleasantly surprised that the websites
I added to the Trusted zone do open in accordance with my original settings.

I tested this arrangement by applying the protection/immunization facilities
(one at the time) provided by SpywareBlaster/Spybot S&D and same problem
recurred. To be sure, I conducted this test three times with the same
results.

Based on this, I am pretty certain that the protection/immunization
facilities of both Spywareblaster and Spybot S&D are causing this
occurrence.

I posted a write-up with respect to the above to
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/ and still awaiting a response.

In the meantime, could experts in this newsgroup please advise if it is
deemed to be essential utilizing applications such as Spywareblaster and/or
Spybot S&D for adding website to the Restricted zone?

What are the downsides for not using these services?

Are there other alternatives available?

TIA,
Charryl Chessman jr.

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Charryl Chessman jr. wrote:
> In IE7 I have 'hardened' the Internet Security Settings considerably,
> including disabling Active Scripting. Scripted websites which I
> absolutely trust are added to Trusted sites. Among these are websites
> from highly reputable financial institutions and Microsoft/Windows
> update sites.
>
> This arrangement has been working for me just fine for a very long time.
> However, recently some of these trusted websites do not open in the
> Trusted zone anymore but instead trying to open in the Internet zone.
> Needless to say that since Active Scripting is disabled in the Internet
> Zone the websites won't open correctly.
<snip>

So at least one of them is adding a match to your site on the Restricted
Sites list. Which web site are you now experiencing problems with?

Both Spybot S&D (immunize) and SpywareBlaster perform similar functions,
although I believe only the latter inoculates against particular ActiveX
controls. There are no side effects to using both, as any overlap will have
no effect. I use both on many machines and have never experienced problems
before.

However, if you are using effective anti-virus, such as Eset's NOD32 or
Kaspersky, these measures are not necessary as you are suitably protected.
I would advise you still use Spybot/SpywareBlaster if you use any other
anti-virus system.


HTH,
- --
Adam Piggott, Proprietor, Proactive Services (Computing).
http://www.proactiveservices.co.uk/

Please replace dot invalid with dot uk to email me.
Apply personally for PGP public key.
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