MaxBlocker Help / Instructions


Thank you for choosing MaxBlocker as your web annoyance blocking system.

MaxBlocker greatly enhances your internet experience by allowing you to block annoying advertisements , animations (including Flash™), and 'Pop-Up' windows, while giving you better privacy and security by blocking Tracking Cookies from advertising/ tracking companies.   Furthermore, MaxBlocker (in most cases) will speed page loading by skipping the downloading of Ads in web pages, saving time and bandwidth.

MaxBlocker is so easy to use that you can install it, run it, and then you can forget about it.   You only need to remember to use the CTRL key (to bypass popup blocking when needed) and the Right-Click Menu (to quickly enable or disable features).


MaxBlocker lets you either Allow or Block at your leisure:

  • Advertisements and "Banner Ads" in Web Pages.   (Block Ads)
  • Approximately 95% of Pop-up advertisements.   (Block Pop-ups)
  • Flash™ animations (Macromedia™ Flash™).   (Block Flash)
  • Graphic animations (animated .GIFs, etc).   (Block Animation)
  • Known Tracking Cookies from ad servers.   (Block Cookies)

MaxBlocker also lets you:

  • Block ALL Pop-ups -OR- block all pop-ups except the ones you permit.
  • Block ALL Cookies -OR- block only cookies in the block list.
  • Manage cookies, view their contents, remove them, and/or go to the sites that originated them.
  • Display a 'toolbar' with statistics on how many ads/ pop-ups/ cookies have been blocked.
  • Import/ Export> server block lists.
  • Keep a Log of ads, cookies, and popups that have been blocked.
  • Play a sound whenever an Ad, Pop-up, or Cookie is blocked.

How MaxBlocker affects your system:

  • It uses minimal system resources, and virtually 0% CPU.
  • It installs easily, and it does not require a system restart (it may need to restart Windows 98).
  • It remains in the 'background' and waits for: Cookies to delete, Pop-ups to close, and Ads to block.
  • It will not affect other programs, games, etc, and it does not require any special settings.
  • When MaxBlocker is started, it temporarily changes 3 settings in Internet Explorer™. When you close MaxBlocker, they are restored to their previous settings. *
  • When Ad Blocking is enabled, MaxBlocker adds entries to your system's HOSTS file. The entries are removed when Ad Blocking is disabled or if MaxBlocker is closed.

* The 3 Internet Explorer™ settings that are temporarily changed are:
  • 'Disable script debugging' - Blocking ads (many of which contain javascript) usually causes several 'script errors' that pop up a dialog window asking if you want to 'debug' them. This is unnecessary 99% of the time unless you are a programmer debugging a web page.
  • 'Display a notification about every script error' - Leaving this setting enabled will usually cause several error dialog windows to show when ads are blocked. Also see the above.
  • 'Play animations in web pages' - This setting is changed when you enable/disable animation from within MaxBlocker.
* All 3 settings are restored to their original states after MaxBlocker is closed. Also, none of these settings affect system security and stability.



Requirements:

MaxBlocker will work with the minimum system resources that are required by your Operating System.   There are no specific requirements for MaxBlocker, since it will run on a Pentium 200mhz as well as it will run on a Pentium 4 3800mhz.


MaxBlocker works with the following:

  • Windows 98™, Windows NT™ 4.0, Windows ME™, Windows 2000™, Windows XP™. Internet Explorer™ 4.0 or newer.   Internet Explorer™ 5.0 or newer recommended.
  • Ad Blocking works for All Browsers, including Mozilla™, Firefox, Netscape™, Opera™, etc..
  • All of MaxBlocker's functions work in Internet Explorer™.


Installation:


Make sure that there are no other third-party pop-up blockers or ad-blockers running. You will also need to close all open browsers.

You should also be sure that you are not running a web server or other program that uses IP port 80 on your system.   If you are, then you may have trouble using the ad blocking feature of MaxBlocker.   The other features will still work properly.

Once you have downloaded the MaxBlocker Install, simply double-click on it and follow the simple instructions.



Starting MaxBlocker:


Once installed, you will see a new shortcut for MaxBlocker under the Start > Programs menu.

When you start MaxBlocker, a window will prompt you to enter a License Key or start it in Evaluation mode:




Enter your First Name, Last Name, Company Name(optional) and the KEY that you received in your confirmation receipt. You may copy and paste the key straight from the e-mail.

Once you have successfully entered the key, you will not see the License window again.

  • Your name / serial number should entered as it appears on your registration receipt.
  • Click 'Register' to verify your license and start MaxBlocker in Registered mode.
  • 'Buy Now' opens a browser to the MaxBlocker site, where you can purchase a License online.
  • 'Evaluate' starts MaxBlocker in Evaluation mode.
  • 'Help' and '?' will open the Help and Instruction manual.
  • 'Quit' closes MaxBlocker.
NOTE: Be sure to print out the receipt and file it, just in case you have to re-install or Upgrade MaxBlocker at a later date.



The About / Stats window.




Shows information about MaxBlocker and the current statistics.

  • Your name / serial number will be shown under the 'Licensed To:' heading.
  • 'Blocked This Session' shows the stats since MaxBlocker was last started (such as after a re-boot).
  • 'Blocked TOTAL' shows the stats since MaxBlocker was installed.
  • 'System Info' opens the Windows system information program.
  • 'Ad Log' shows links to all Ads that have been blocked.
  • 'Popup Log' shows links to all Pop-ups that have been blocked.
  • 'Cookie Log' shows links to all Cookies that have been blocked.
  • '?' will bring up the Help and Instruction manual. This appears on most MaxBlocker dialogs.

NOTE: Log files are automatically deleted and re-started after they reach 256K in length.
NOTE: The stats are updated in real-time if you leave this window open while browsing the internet.

Click the www link to go to the MaxBlocker site.

Click OK to close this window.



Using MaxBlocker:


To interact with MaxBlocker, right-click on the MaxBlocker icon (Blue Arrow) in the system tray to see the menu.   If you use MaxBlocker with the Status Bar displayed, you can also right-click on it to bring up the menu.

The Right-Click Menu




The checkboxes turn each feature on or off.   (By default, block Ads, block Popups, and Block Cookies are enabled.)
  • Block Ads * - Turn Ad Blocking on/off.
  • Block Popups - Turn Pop-up Blocking on/off.
  • Block Flash * - Turn Flash™ on/off. When Flash is off, you won't be prompted to download/install Flash™ when you arrive at a site that uses it.
  • Block Animation * - Turn Graphic (.GIF) Animation on/off. This option simply toggles the checkbox for 'Play animations in web pages' in Internet Explorer™.
  • Block Cookies - Turn Cookie Blocking on/off.
  • Show Status Bar - Turn the Floating Status Bar on/off. This is the same as checking the 'Status Bar' Show option under Settings:Misc Options.
* NOTE: Settings marked with * may require you to Refresh the page or close and then re-open the browser to make it effective.

  • Cookie Manager - opens the Cookie View/ Manage window of MaxBlocker.
  • Block All - turns on all 5 blocking options simultaneously without you having to select each one.
  • Allow All - turns off all 5 blocking options simultaneously without you having to de-select each one.
  • Settings - brings up the Settings window tabs.
  • About+Stats - brings up the About window shown above.
  • Register - brings up the Registration window shown above.   When registered, this option will no longer show.
  • Exit - closes MaxBlocker and returns all settings to normal.
To temporarily Bypass popup blocking, hold down the CTRL key when clicking on a popup link.



The Floating 'Status Bar'.




The floating status bar shows you the blocking 'stats' for Ads, Cookies, and Pop-ups blocked, and it allows you to quickly turn Pop-up blocking on or off.   The status bar can also be configured to always stay on top, and to show stats since the last startup -OR- since first installed.
  • Stats shown are the totals since MaxBlocker was installed.
  • Block Popups is a 'shortcut' to the checkbox on the right-click menu (see above). Checking or un-checking this box is the same as right-clicking on MaxBlocker (in the system tray) and checking/un-checking the 'Block Popups' menu item.
  • The Floating Status Bar retains location. It remembers where you last placed it.
  • Double-click on the Status Bar to bring up the About/ Stats window.   Double-clicking again will close the About/ Stats window.
  • Right-Click on the Status Bar to bring up the MaxBlocker right-click menu.


The Cookie Manager.




The Cookie Manager shows a list of all cookies stored in your profile, and it allows you to view the contents of any cookie.   You have the option to view, delete one or all cookies, and/ or visit the sites that originated them.

  • Select All will Select (check the checkboxes of) all cookies in the list.
  • UnSelect All will Unselect (uncheck the checkboxes of) all cookies in the list.
  • Update List will refresh the list to show the most current list.
  • Delete Selected will delete all Selected cookies in the list and purge them from the system.
  • Goto: will open the site listed in a new browser window.
  • View in Notepad opens the highlighted cookie in notepad.
  • Delete this Cookie will delete the highlighted cookie and purge it from the system.
  • Close will close Cookie Manager.
*NOTE:   If you click on the site listed next to the 'Goto:' button, it will also open it in a new window.

It is also recommended that you either use Cookie Manager or the Control Panel / Internet Settings to periodically clear your cookie cache.


The Settings 'Misc' tab




Miscellaneous settings for MaxBlocker.

  • 'Status Bar'  Show turns the Floating Status Bar on or off.
  • 'Status Bar'  Always on Top causes the Floating Status Bar to stay on top of other windows.
  • 'Status Bar'  Show stats Total tells the Floating Status Bar to show the blocked stats since Maxblocker was Installed.
  • 'Status Bar'  Show stats This Session tells the Floating Status Bar to show the blocked stats since you Started MaxBlocker.
  • 'Sounds'  Play Block Popup Sound plays the mb_popup.wav sound file when a pop-up is blocked.
  • 'Sounds'  Play Block Cookie Sound plays the mb_cookie.wav sound file when a cookie is blocked.
  • 'Sounds'  Play Block Ad Sound plays the mb_adpop.wav sound file when an Ad is blocked.
  • 'Ad Server List'  Import Allows you to Import a server block list into MaxBlocker.   See Import Server List.
  • 'Ad Server List'  Export Allows you to Export a server block list from MaxBlocker.   See Export Server List.
  • Cookie Manager Opens the Cookie View/ Manage window.
  • Run when Windows starts - When this option is checked, MaxBlocker will load whenever windows starts. This option appears on all settings tabs.


The Settings 'Popups' tab.




Add or Remove pop-up domains and 'wildcard' items to be allowed.   Please read the notes below.
  • Block ALL Popups causes MaxBlocker to block all popups, ignoring the Allow list.
  • Popups containing anything from the allow list will not be closed * .
  • To remove an item, click it, and then click Remove.
  • To add an item, type it into the Add slot, and then click add.   Duplicate entries are automatically removed.
  • All items in the list are ordered alphabetically.
  • To temporarily Bypass popup blocking, hold down the CTRL key when clicking on a popup link.
* NOTE: MaxBlocker compares the URL and the Caption of a popup to the items in the list. The URL is the site where the popup comes from, and the Caption is what shows at the top of the popup window (before the ' - Microsoft™ Internet Explorer™')

* NOTE: For Example, look at the above window, and you'll see that it contains 'account'. Maxblocker will compare a Popup's URL -and- the Popup window Caption to this entry. If the URL is www.music-account.net or if the popup window Caption has "Mail account system", then Maxblocker will not close the popup.



The Settings 'Cookies' tab.




Add or Remove cookie domains and 'wildcard' items to be blocked.   Please read the notes below.
  • Delete all cookies causes MaxBlocker to remove ALL cookies, and no cookies will be allowed on your computer. This is not recommended, since many sites need to use cookies in order to keep you logged in.
  • Delete cookies from these sites: is a list of cookies to delete if they show up in your system. *
  • To remove an item, click it, and then click Remove.
  • To add an item, type it into the Add slot, and then click add.   Duplicate entries are automatically removed.
  • All items in the list are ordered alphabetically.
  • When 'Block Cookies' is enabled, MaxBlocker polls your system's cookie collection every 45 seconds and deletes any that are on (or similar to ones in) the list.
* NOTE:   MaxBlocker compares the cookie names to the items in the list. For instance, the list item '2spy' will cause cookies whose names contain 2spy to be deleted, such as after2spycom.net, abc2spyefg.org, etc.

Any cookie items that begin with a period (.) requires that the site name starts with the letters after it.   For instance, an entry called .ads. means that the site the cookie comes from must begin with those letters.   Cookies from ads.many-ads.ccc and ads.manymore-ads.ccc will both be deleted, but not ads7.many-ads.ccc.

* NOTE:   It is important to be careful when choosing words that will cause cookies to be deleted.   For Example:   If you simply enter the letter A, then all cookies containing the letter A will be deleted!   This will not a good thing for sites that require you to be logged in.   If a site always forces you to log in on every page, then make sure you have not listed it or a part of the cookie site's URL in here.



The Settings 'Ad Servers' tab.




Add or Remove servers from the Blocked Ad Servers list.   Items in this list must contain domains only, without spaces, slashes, sub-directories, or files.

Also, make sure you don't add a site that you normally go to, since the entire site and server would then be blocked.
  • 'Replace ads with a "color" image / background' allows you to choose a color of the ad space that is blocked. For some ads, it will be the background color, while for images, it will be a .gif image in that color.
  • Browser requests to servers in the 'Blocked ad servers' list will not be downloaded to your computer. MaxBlocker will return a 'blank' ad to your browser in the color you specified. *   If you select Clear as a color, then MaxBlocker will blank out the ad areas, and it will not say 'Ad Blocked by MaxBlocker' anywhere.
  • To remove an item, click it, and then click Remove.
  • To add an item, type it into the Add slot, and then click add. **   Duplicate entries are automatically removed.
  • All items in the list are ordered alphabetically.
* NOTE: MaxBlocker does this for several reasons. One is to prevent time wasted by downloading advertisements. Another is to facilitate the page transfer to a quick close. In most cases, web pages will load faster and use far less bandwidth.

** NOTE: When adding an item to the Blocked Ad Servers list, be sure to type the correct server name. To get the server name, right click on the Ad image, select Properties, and look at the Address (URL). This is the Ad server. You can usually highlight the server name in the Properties window, copy it, and then paste it into the Add slot to add it to the blocked list.



The 'Ad Server List Export' window, on the Settings-Misc tab. *




Export your ad server list to a text file. You can export it as a text list or in HOSTS file format. *
  • Export in HOSTS format? tells MaxBlocker to export the list into HOSTS file format, which can be copied directly to a computer's HOSTS path.
  • Browse lets you browse to the path/ file in which to save the Export.
  • Export performs the file export.
* NOTE: Please Review the Settings- Ad Servers section before using this function.



The 'Ad Server List Import' window, on the Settings-Misc tab. *




Import into (or replace) your ad server list from a text file.   You can import it as a text list or in HOSTS file format. *   An Import (without overwrite) will import into your current list.   It will automatically remove any duplicate items, and it will strip out all ( # ) comments.
  • Overwrite current list? tells MaxBlocker to delete your current ad server list and use only the import! USE WITH CAUTION.
  • List is in HOSTS format? tells MaxBlocker that the list is in HOSTS file format.
  • Browse lets you browse to the path/ file to Import.
  • Import performs the file import. This may take a few seconds depending on the Import's size.**
Once the import is completed, it will not be saved until you click Apply or OK on the Settings window.   Clicking Cancel will dump the import.

* NOTE:   Please Review the Settings- Ad Servers section before using this function.

** NOTE:   Please make sure you understand what comprises a HOSTS file before using this function!   An improper or corrupted list import could cause your system's network TCP/IP connection to stop working properly.   If this happens, you will need to turn off Ad Blocking and import the default ad server list, which is in the COMMON folder as default.txt.   Be sure to select Overwrite current list if you do this.




Basic Usage:


After installing MaxBlocker, you may simply run it, enter the license key, and then forget about it. By default, it will run on system startup and all options are enabled (except novelty sounds and status bar).

If you click on a link that pops up a separate window (that you wish to see), then MaxBlocker may close it.   If this happens, you can hold down the CTRL key and click on the link again to keep it open.   Future pop-ups from the same site will stay open as well, until you re-start MaxBlocker.   To make pop-ups from a site stay open in the future, you should add its location (or part of its caption) into the Settings-Popups allow list.

If you wish to see everything in a site that requires Flash or Animations, you may simply right-click on MaxBlocker in the system tray and un-select the "Block Flash" and/or "Block Animation" item(s) and then close/ reopen your browser to that site.

The only drawback is that you must remember to re-enable blocking or you will start seeing annoying animated ads again.

Some sites require you to view ads in order to see their page content.   In this case, you should disable the "Block Ads" option in the right-click menu and then close/reopen the browser to that page to see it.   After you are done, you should re-enable the "Block Ads" option and continue browsing.

Some sites, for instance some weather sites, show animated .GIF pictures that you may want to see.   In this case, you should un-select the "Block Animation" option in the right-click menu and then close/reopen the browser to that page to see it.

Last but not least, MaxBlocker may inadvertently block a cookie that a site requires in order for you to use it.   If this happens, the easiest way to fix it is to un-select the "Block Cookies" option.   If you are curious, you can check the cookie log to find out its name.   You do not need to close/reopen the browser when blocking/ unblocking cookies.



Safe Computing:


Software conflicts   :
Some programs may interfere with MaxBlocker, and, MaxBlocker may interfere with some types of software.   The most likely cause of this will usually be with one of the following:
  • Viruses or Worms that take over functons that MaxBlocker needs to use, such as TCP/IP http port 80 or IP localhost (127.0.0.1).   [ Use a good anti-virus program (and keep it updated). ]
  • A webserver running on TCP/IP http port 80.   [ Move or stop the webserver. ]
  • Spyware programs that either modify your HOSTS file or pop-up ads using browser windows.   [ Use a good anti-spyware program (and keep it updated). ]
  • Any type of program that attempts to lock your HOSTS file, such as the latest version of SpyBot S&D, and/or some types of anti-virus or other anti-spyware programs.   [ Disable HOSTS file locking. ]
  • Some types of software Firewall programs.   [ Find out more about its features. ]
  • Other ad-blocking programs, especially ones that use methods similar to MaxBlocker.   [ Close and/or disable other ad-blockers. ]
Usually, the best way to fix these conflicts is to disable the features that interfere with MaxBlocker.   Much of the time, it will be a HOSTS file conflict.   For instance, to stop SpyBot from interfering with MaxBlocker, you should disable SpyBot's 'HOSTS file locking'.

A majority of non-HOSTS file related problems will usually be caused by Spyware programs.   The quickest and safest method of removing them is to download a spyware removal program and run it.   Two of the best are:
It is usually best to close MaxBlocker first before using a spyware removal program.


HOSTS File Conflict   :
MaxBlocker uses your system HOSTS file while blocking ad servers.   Therefore, it is important that you Not modify it while MaxBlocker's Block Ads feature is enabled/checked.

If you need to modifiy your HOSTS file, make sure MaxBlocker is either not running, or is running but not blocking ads.   Otherwise, any changes you make may soon be lost.


Shady Sites...   :
In some cases, a site may tell you that you are blocking a cookie that it needs to work properly.   In most cases, disabling cookie blocking is the answer, but if that doesn't work, then you may need to disable Ad blocking as well.   You should be wary of sites that act this way, and you should not disclose personal information to these types of sites. (ie: If a site needs a third party cookie in order to work properly, then it would seem to be in your best interest to know who the third party is before inputting any personal information.)


Everything has a limit   :
You should try to keep the block lists (Ad Servers, Cookies, and Pop-ups) from growing too large.   As the lists become bigger, your computer will have to work harder to sort through them as you use the internet.   A general recommendation:   Try to keep the ad server list below 2000; the cookie block list below 500; and the pop-up allow list below 100.   The ad server list can cause your site response times to rise if it becomes too large, and the cookie block and pop-up allow lists will cause MaxBlocker to use more CPU if they become very large.   Staying within these constraints should cause MaxBlocker to use less than 0.1% CPU.   Please note that the ad server list's size will not affect MaxBlocker's performance, but it may affect your internet connection performance.   The above guidelines work well for an Athlon 800mhz CPU based PC running Windows 2000 and XP.


The Blocked Pop-ups counter is not always accurate   :
MaxBlocker does keep a count of what it has blocked, but all may not be what it seems if you also have Ad Blocking enabled.

For instance, a lot of ads have pop-ups contained within them.   If MaxBlocker blocks such an ad, then the popup is also blocked.   Since the ad never gets downloaded, it doesn't have to block the pop-up, and so it isn't counted.

You will get the best ad blocking possible if you use MaxBlocker's Ad Blocking and Pop-up Blocking together.




MSH Softworks hopes that you have a more enjoyable and a less ad cluttered internet experience.   Once again, thank you for choosing MaxBlocker!



Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Flash and Macromedia are registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc.

Opera is a registered trademark of Opera Software ASA.

Mozilla and Firefox are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.

Netscape is a registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation and America Online, Inc.




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