How to Prevent Net Downloads

Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there aren't any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john

The best program for this purpose is the one between your ears!!

However - are we talking here about attempting to prevent users in general
from downloading programs?
If so, then you need to
1) update your version of Internet Explorer to the latest available through
Windows Update
2) learn a little about security
3) install and update - and run - an anti-virus
4) install and update - and run - a spyware cleaner.

Then you can start worrying about how to prevent others doing things!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there aren't
any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john

Thanks ever so much for that enlightening and succinct answer to my direct
question.

Now, as far as your suggestions prior to me worrying what other people may
do, I personally employ all your suggestions and have no problems with my
system. However, the person who I'm asking on behalf of, also employs all
the suggestions other than antivirus simply because they don't download
garbage programs. In any event, the circumstances surrounding my questions
are irrelevant. I would have thought a few simple quick hit direct answers
would have sufficed, but then perhaps I was asking too much.

regards

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
The best program for this purpose is the one between your ears!!

However - are we talking here about attempting to prevent users in general
from downloading programs?
If so, then you need to
1) update your version of Internet Explorer to the latest available
through
Windows Update
2) learn a little about security
3) install and update - and run - an anti-virus
4) install and update - and run - a spyware cleaner.

Then you can start worrying about how to prevent others doing things!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there aren't
any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john

Not running an anti-virus can only be called gross negligence - there are
many worse things out on the internet than garbage programs, and defence in
depth is *required* nowadays, unfortunately.
I know many experts, and extremely few run without an AV present, although
all are savvy enough to avoid the run-of-the mill, and most extra-ordinary
hazards - but there is always the unexpected one that will stab you in the
back when you least look for it.

The best options for tightening security are to use the GUI that IE already
provides - the Internet Options window. Disabling ActiveX, scripting, and
java - or at least setting them to Prompt rather than Enable, makes for
safer surfing (although with much less user-satisfaction, as many pages rely
on such 'fripperies')
Yes, there are other things you can do - but many of them rely on options
that require specific tweaks that are available only in NT (such as using
limited-user accounts), or require good knowledge of the registry (which I
don't profess to have).

Other options also abound - using another browser, for instance. FireFox is
well-regarded - although its internal security has yet to be really tested,
the initial results seem to be good, and it's certainly configurable with
some ease.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Thanks ever so much for that enlightening and succinct answer to my direct
question.

Now, as far as your suggestions prior to me worrying what other people may
do, I personally employ all your suggestions and have no problems with my
system. However, the person who I'm asking on behalf of, also employs all
the suggestions other than antivirus simply because they don't download
garbage programs. In any event, the circumstances surrounding my questions
are irrelevant. I would have thought a few simple quick hit direct answers
would have sufficed, but then perhaps I was asking too much.

regards

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
The best program for this purpose is the one between your ears!!

However - are we talking here about attempting to prevent users in
general
from downloading programs?
If so, then you need to
1) update your version of Internet Explorer to the latest available
through
Windows Update
2) learn a little about security
3) install and update - and run - an anti-virus
4) install and update - and run - a spyware cleaner.

Then you can start worrying about how to prevent others doing things!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there aren't
any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john

Not so long ago, of course, as most computer stuff is, people were getting
viruses from commercially-produced cd-roms. Not so long ago microsoft.com
was hacked.

One of my pet hates is people who readily admit, directly or indirectly,
that they don't know it all, then criticise someone else in a manner
suggesting they think they do.


Shane


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
Not running an anti-virus can only be called gross negligence - there are
many worse things out on the internet than garbage programs, and defence
in depth is *required* nowadays, unfortunately.
I know many experts, and extremely few run without an AV present, although
all are savvy enough to avoid the run-of-the mill, and most extra-ordinary
hazards - but there is always the unexpected one that will stab you in the
back when you least look for it.

The best options for tightening security are to use the GUI that IE
already provides - the Internet Options window. Disabling ActiveX,
scripting, and java - or at least setting them to Prompt rather than
Enable, makes for safer surfing (although with much less
user-satisfaction, as many pages rely on such 'fripperies')
Yes, there are other things you can do - but many of them rely on options
that require specific tweaks that are available only in NT (such as using
limited-user accounts), or require good knowledge of the registry (which I
don't profess to have).

Other options also abound - using another browser, for instance. FireFox
is well-regarded - although its internal security has yet to be really
tested, the initial results seem to be good, and it's certainly
configurable with some ease.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Thanks ever so much for that enlightening and succinct answer to my
direct
question.

Now, as far as your suggestions prior to me worrying what other people
may
do, I personally employ all your suggestions and have no problems with my
system. However, the person who I'm asking on behalf of, also employs all
the suggestions other than antivirus simply because they don't download
garbage programs. In any event, the circumstances surrounding my
questions
are irrelevant. I would have thought a few simple quick hit direct
answers
would have sufficed, but then perhaps I was asking too much.

regards

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
The best program for this purpose is the one between your ears!!

However - are we talking here about attempting to prevent users in
general
from downloading programs?
If so, then you need to
1) update your version of Internet Explorer to the latest available
through
Windows Update
2) learn a little about security
3) install and update - and run - an anti-virus
4) install and update - and run - a spyware cleaner.

Then you can start worrying about how to prevent others doing things!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can
be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there
aren't
any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john

I concur with Noel and Shane, and further state that, IMO, to connect a
stand-alone computer to the internet without running a competent AV tool and
a third-party personal firewall, at a minimum, is prima facie gross
negligence and an unacceptible affront to the computer community, even more
so if using broadband. In almost no time, measured in seconds or a few
minutes, a computer can be made a zombie today. The resulting disruption to
the good-computing community is nigh intolerable.
--
Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS
Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx
Your cooperation is very appreciated.
------
"Shane" wrote in message
...
Not so long ago, of course, as most computer stuff is, people were getting
viruses from commercially-produced cd-roms. Not so long ago microsoft.com
was hacked.

One of my pet hates is people who readily admit, directly or indirectly,
that they don't know it all, then criticise someone else in a manner
suggesting they think they do.


Shane


"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
Not running an anti-virus can only be called gross negligence - there
are
many worse things out on the internet than garbage programs, and defence
in depth is *required* nowadays, unfortunately.
I know many experts, and extremely few run without an AV present,
although
all are savvy enough to avoid the run-of-the mill, and most
extra-ordinary
hazards - but there is always the unexpected one that will stab you in
the
back when you least look for it.

The best options for tightening security are to use the GUI that IE
already provides - the Internet Options window. Disabling ActiveX,
scripting, and java - or at least setting them to Prompt rather than
Enable, makes for safer surfing (although with much less
user-satisfaction, as many pages rely on such 'fripperies')
Yes, there are other things you can do - but many of them rely on
options
that require specific tweaks that are available only in NT (such as
using
limited-user accounts), or require good knowledge of the registry (which
I
don't profess to have).

Other options also abound - using another browser, for instance. FireFox
is well-regarded - although its internal security has yet to be really
tested, the initial results seem to be good, and it's certainly
configurable with some ease.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Thanks ever so much for that enlightening and succinct answer to my
direct
question.

Now, as far as your suggestions prior to me worrying what other people
may
do, I personally employ all your suggestions and have no problems with
my
system. However, the person who I'm asking on behalf of, also employs
all
the suggestions other than antivirus simply because they don't download
garbage programs. In any event, the circumstances surrounding my
questions
are irrelevant. I would have thought a few simple quick hit direct
answers
would have sufficed, but then perhaps I was asking too much.

regards

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
The best program for this purpose is the one between your ears!!

However - are we talking here about attempting to prevent users in
general
from downloading programs?
If so, then you need to
1) update your version of Internet Explorer to the latest available
through
Windows Update
2) learn a little about security
3) install and update - and run - an anti-virus
4) install and update - and run - a spyware cleaner.

Then you can start worrying about how to prevent others doing things!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to
NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can
be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there
aren't
any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john

Viruses can get on your machine in other ways other than executable files
("garbage" programs as you call them).Antivirus programs protect against
worms and trojans as well. It is VERY highly recommended your friend gets
an AV program.

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Thanks ever so much for that enlightening and succinct answer to my direct
question.

Now, as far as your suggestions prior to me worrying what other people may
do, I personally employ all your suggestions and have no problems with my
system. However, the person who I'm asking on behalf of, also employs all
the suggestions other than antivirus simply because they don't download
garbage programs. In any event, the circumstances surrounding my questions
are irrelevant. I would have thought a few simple quick hit direct answers
would have sufficed, but then perhaps I was asking too much.

regards

"Noel Paton" wrote in message
...
The best program for this purpose is the one between your ears!!

However - are we talking here about attempting to prevent users in
general
from downloading programs?
If so, then you need to
1) update your version of Internet Explorer to the latest available
through
Windows Update
2) learn a little about security
3) install and update - and run - an anti-virus
4) install and update - and run - a spyware cleaner.

Then you can start worrying about how to prevent others doing things!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"JohnD" wrote in message
...
Are there any simple registry tweaks, system or IE settings that can be
utilized to prevent downloading programs from the net?. If there aren't
any
as such, what's the best shareware program that can accomplish this?

OS running is Win ME ,,,,,,,,

thanks in advance

_john