Last Updated: Dec 28 '02
Internet Explorer 5.0 and above includes an option on the "Advanced tab" (under "Security") titled "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed." When this option is checked, Internet Explorer automatically clears the Temporary Internet Files folder when Internet Explorer is closed. This option is especially helpful when used in conjunction with a program or batch file that clears Internet Explorer junk on system reboot because this option minimizes the amount of junk that is deleted on reboot, thus speeding up the boot process.
Unfortunately, on some later versions of Internet Explorer this option either may not appear on the "Advanced" tab or may not function as advertised. It appears that these problems are the result of a glitch in the IE setup routine, which incorrectly modifies the associated Registry values.
This download package includes three .REG files that will "reset" or "restore" the "Empty Temporary Internet Files" option so that it appears on the "Advanced" tab and functions as advertised.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- EMPTY-TIF.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\EMPTY-TIF).
- EMPTY-TIF.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using EMPTY-TIF.
Download:
These files have been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
The PGP signature files are digital signatures that PGP users can use to verify the integrity and origin of the download packages. If you're not a PGP user, you don't have to download the PGP signature files (or my PGP public keys) in order to use the utilities that I make available. If you're interested in learning more about PGP, check some of the links on THIS page.
This program is 
Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Dec 28 '02
Last Updated: Dec 28 '02
Windows Registry Files (.REG) are plain text files that contain Registry changes that can be merged into the Registry. To merge a .REG file, one normally double-clicks a .REG file and then clicks through the confirmation box that Windows presents. In some cases, however, the .REG file association in Windows may become broken. When that happens, Windows won't know what to do with .REG files and, thus, will not be able to merge them properly into the Registry.
This download package contains 3 sets of .REG file that can be used to "restore" or "reset" the .REG file association in Windows. Because the .REG file association is currently broken, you'll have to merge (or "import") these .REG files into the Registry by using the Windows Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE).
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- REG-RESTOR.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\REG-RESTOR).
- REG-RESTOR.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using REG-RESTOR.
Download:
These files have been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
The PGP signature files are digital signatures that PGP users can use to verify the integrity and origin of the download packages. If you're not a PGP user, you don't have to download the PGP signature files (or my PGP public keys) in order to use the utilities that I make available. If you're interested in learning more about PGP, check some of the links on THIS page.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Dec 28 '02
Last Updated: Aug 29 '03
Many spyware programs and "home page hijackers" alter the default home page and other key user settings in Internet Explorer. These malicious programs often set certain Registry keys/values in order to lock users out from those Internet Explorer settings, preventing them from reclaiming control of their browsers.
Also, some users of SpyBot Search & Destroy have checked the following boxes on the "Immunize" page within SpyBot Search & Destroy, not realizing that they are effectively locking themselves out of those Internet Explorer:
- "Lock IE start page setting against user changes (current user)"
- "Lock IE control panel against opening from within IE (current user)"
Although users can easily undo these changes within SpyBot Search & Destroy, many don't realize that those boxes caused the problem in the first place and remain frustrated and confused. Also, the user may have uninstalled SpyBot Search & Destroy before even realizing there was a problem.
This package contains a set of Registry files that can be used to "lock" and "unlock" user access to the
following settings within Internet Explorer:
- Home page
- General, Advanced, and Security tabs on the Internet Options box
- Customize Search Settings
- Reset Web Settings
- Internet Options box
The "unlock" .REG file also disables use of a
custom stylesheet (Tools >> Internet Options >> Accessibility: "Format documents using my stylesheet")
to fix problems caused by Datanotary.
These two .REG files set the appropriate Registry keys and values to do the job. Each file does the reverse of the other. One "locks" Internet Explorer; the other "unlocks" Internet Explorer.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- UNLOCK-IE.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\UNLOCK-IE).
- UNLOCK-IE.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using UNLOCK-IE.
Download:
These files have been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
The PGP signature files are digital signatures that PGP users can use to verify the integrity and origin of the download packages. If you're not a PGP user, you don't have to download the PGP signature files (or my PGP public keys) in order to use the utilities that I make available. If you're interested in learning more about PGP, check some of the links on THIS page.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Aug 29 '03
Last Updated: Dec 28 '02
If the associated Registry values for the Internet Explorer Content Advisor become corrupted, you may encounter problems surfing the web with Internet Explorer. You may receive the error message:
-
"Please check your Content Advisor settings for missing information."
Moreover, the IE Content Advisor settings may be set to the strictest possible levels, preventing you from accessing some content on the Internet. Still worse, because the associated Registry values are corrupted, it may not be possible to reset or modify the Content Advisor settings through normal means (Content Advisor settings can be accessed in Internet Explorer by going "Tools" >> "Internet Options" and clicking the "Content" tab).
This download package includes a .REG file that resets the Content Advisor settings to their defaults.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
-
DEL-RATINGS.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\DEL-RATINGS).
-
DEL-RATINGS.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using DEL-RATINGS.
Download:
These files have been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
The PGP signature files are digital signatures that PGP users can use to verify the integrity and origin of the download packages. If you're not a PGP user, you don't have to download the PGP signature files (or my PGP public keys) in order to use the utilities that I make available. If you're interested in learning more about PGP, check some of the links on THIS page.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Dec 28 '02
Last Updated: Apr 6 '03
Macromedia Flash can be one of the more annoying aspects of using the Web with Internet Explorer. Flash is quickly becoming the tool of choice for obnoxious advertisers and marketers.
Some Internet Explorer users might want to toggle the Flash Player on and off -- keeping it off by default to block annoying ads, but turning it on for those rare occasions when Flash is actually be used for something other than advertising.
Many other Internet Explorer users prefer not to have the Flash Player installed at all in order to put an end to obnoxious Flash advertising. Unfortunately, because Flash can be automatically installed as an ActiveX control through Internet Explorer, users who wish to uninstall Flash face several unpleasant alternatives:
-
Flash will be installed behind users' backs by web sites that users have added to the Trusted sites zone;
-
With the default ActiveX settings in the Internet zone, users will be endlessly prompted to install Flash Player by sites that fall in the Internet zone and that use Flash;
-
If the download and installation of ActiveX controls in the Internet zone is disabled, users will be inundated with annoying ActiveX warnings every time they hit a page that wants to install Flash.
There is a solution for both users: set the "kill bit" for Macromedia Flash Player. Internet Explorer allows users to set what's known as a "kill bit" for specified ActiveX controls. Once the "kill bit" is set, Internet Explorer will not install or run that ActiveX control. The use of "kill bits" in Internet Explorer is documented by Microsoft here:
-
Q240797: How to Stop an ActiveX Control from Running in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q240797
For users who wish to avoid Flash advertising but keep the Flash Player installed, the "kill bit" for Macromedia Flash can be used to toggle the Flash Player on and off.
For users who do not wish to have the Flash Player installed at all, the advantage to setting the "kill bit" for Macromedia Flash is that users can remove or uninstall Flash without fear that:
FlashKill includes a batch file (FLASH-KILL.BAT) that (in conjunction with a set of .REG files) will set the "kill bit" for the Macromedia Flash Player, thus preventing it from either running or being installed automatically through Internet Explorer.
There are other free utilities to help you deal with Flash. You can view a list of them (with links) HERE.
Compatibility
FlashKill can be used with any version of Internet Explorer 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0.
FlashKill does not work with Netscape, Mozilla, or Opera.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
-
FLASH-KILL.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\FLASH-KILL).
-
FLASH-KILL.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using FLASH-KILL.
Download:
These files have been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
The PGP signature files are digital signatures that PGP users can use to verify the integrity and origin of the download packages. If you're not a PGP user, you don't have to download the PGP signature files (or my PGP public keys) in order to use the utilities that I make available. If you're interested in learning more about PGP, check some of the links on THIS page.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Apr 6 '03
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CKT-UN: PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 beta Uninstaller
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Last Updated: Apr 10 '03
PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 betas 1-3 are designed to be installed over an existing PGP 6.5.8ckt installation. During installation, PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 uninstalls PGP 6.5.8ckt build 08 (or earlier) first, but in the process also removes the uninstaller (UNINSTALL.EXE) from the PGP installation dir. When installing the build 09 files, it does not replace the uninstaller, even though the "Add/Remove Programs" entry for "PGP 6.5.8ckt - Build 09:b3" still points to it.
This package contains UNINSTALL.EXE, which is the uninstaller from PGP 6.5.8ckt build 08. It can be used to uninstall build 09 betas 1-3.
After installation of PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 betas 1-3, UNINSTALL.EXE should be placed in the PGP installation dir. Once it is placed in the PGP installation dir, the "Add/Remove Programs" entry for "PGP 6.5.8ckt - Build 09:b3" will work.
Although this uninstaller does work properly, you may have to clean up a few things manually:
-
Uninstall PGPdisk & PGPmemlock devices from "Computer
Management - Devices" (Windows 2000 & XP only).
-
Remove some stray files from the PGP installation directory.
-
Remove a few stray PGP .DLLs from the Windows System directory.
-
Remove the Eudora plug-in (pgpplugin.dll) from the Eudora \Plugins
directory (if that plug-in was installed).
You can also use the CKT-UN.REG file (included with this distribution) to completely scrub the Registry. To scrub the Registry with CKT-UN.REG, simply double-click on it, which merges the .REG file's changes into the Registry.
This uninstaller does not remove the following plug-ins (if you installed them):
-
Samopal PGP ICQ Plugin
pgpicq.dll, pgpicq.exe, & pgpkeys.exe
(in the ICQ install dir)
-
The Bat! PGP Plugin
batpgp65.dll
(in The Bat! install dir)
Compatibility
CKT-UN can be used with PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 betas 1-3. There is no need to use it with any other version of PGP, nor should you try. Imad should have this issue resolved when he releases PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 final in
the winter of 2003-2004 (his projected time period).
Installation & Use:
Download CKT-UN.ZIP from the Download section below (you must have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files from CKT-UN.ZIP).
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using CKT-UN.
A Note on PGP 6.5.8ckt Build 09 betas 1-3
PGP 6.5.8 build 09 betas 1-3 are all "test" software, and none of those betas is recommended for everyday use.
According to a recent post (20 Jun. 2003) from Imad on the PGP-Basics
Mailing List, PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 final should be released winter of
2003-2004.
PGP 6.5.8 build 09 beta 3 can be downloaded from:
You can read more about the unique features of
the CKT builds HERE.
Download:
This download file has been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Apr 10 '03
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CKT-CMD: PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 beta Command Line
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Last Updated: Apr 12 '03
PGP Command Line (PGP.exe) is installed by PGP 6.5.8ckt build 08 (and earlier). When PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 betas 1-3 are installed, earlier CKT versions are first uninstalled by the build 09 installer. In the process, that installer removes PGP.exe but does not replace it when installing the build 09 files, even when "PGP Command Line" is selected during the setup.
This package contains PGP.exe (PGP Command Line) from PGP 6.5.8ckt build 08. To use
PGP Command Line in PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 betas 1-3, place PGP.exe in the PGP installation directory after installing build 09. There are, apparently, no Registry entries that need to be set.
PDF Documentation
The PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 beta installer also removes and fails to replace the PDF documentation included with earlier versions of PGP 6.5.8ckt. You can download replacement documents here:
Alas, there does not appear to be a download source for the
PGP 6.5 Administrator's Guide (PGPAdministratorsGuide.pdf).
Compatibility
CKT-CMD can be used with PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09
betas 1-3. There is no need to use it with any other version of PGP, nor
should you try. Imad should have this issue resolved when he releases PGP
6.5.8ckt build 09 final in winter 2003-2004 (his projected time period).
Installation & Use:
Download CKT-CMD.ZIP from the Download section below (you must have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files from CKT-CMD.ZIP).
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded,
consult the ReadMe.txt for more information about using CKT-CMD.
A Note on PGP 6.5.8ckt Build 09 betas 1-3
PGP 6.5.8 build 09 betas 1-3 are all "test" software, and none of those betas is recommended for everyday use.
According to a recent post (20 Jun. 2003) from Imad on the PGP-Basics
Mailing List, PGP 6.5.8ckt build 09 final should be released winter
2003-2004.
PGP 6.5.8 build 09 beta 3 can be downloaded from:
You can read more about the unique features of
the CKT builds HERE.
Download:
This download file has been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Last Updated: Apr 12 '03
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CookieCop BlockedSite.txt & PornKeywords.txt
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Last Updated: May 21 '03
A set of block lists for CookieCop (a utility from PC Magazine) used to be available on the Net. Once CookieCop became a "for pay" app (it now requires a PC Magazine subscription), the author of those block lists stopped updating and supporting them. The last versions (May 16 '03) of those block lists are now available for download from this page as a courtesy to CookieCop users.
Please note that these block lists are supplied "as is," just as I received them from the author. No support of any kind is available for these block lists, and they will not be updated.
Installation & Use:
Download one of the following files from the Download section below:
- CCBLOCK.EXE is a self-extracting .ZIP file, which you can double-click on to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\CCBLOCK).
- CCBLOCK.ZIP requires that you have an "zip/unzip" program like WinZip, 7-Zip, or PowerArchiver to extract the files.
After you explode the files from the archive you downloaded, consult the header information in BlockedSite.txt for tips on using these block lists.
Download:
These files have been signed with with my 4096/1024 DH/DSS PGP key. You can get it and my other PGP keys HERE.
The PGP signature files are digital signatures that PGP users can use to verify the integrity and origin of the download packages. If you're not a PGP user, you don't have to download the PGP signature files (or my PGP public keys) in order to use the utilities that I make available. If you're interested in learning more about PGP, check some of the links on THIS page.
This program is Please read this License & Disclaimer.
Credits & Acknowledgements:
These block lists are available with the kind permission
of John Mehlberg, the author of those lists.
Last Updated: May 21 '03