At the Junkbuster site, their top ten FAQ list first question and answer is:
What is the Internet Junkbuster Proxy and what does it do for me?
The Internet Junkbuster Proxy TM is free privacy-enhancing software that can be run on your PC or by your ISP or company. It blocks requests for URLs (typically banner ads) that match its blockfile. It also deletes unauthorized cookies and other unwanted identifying header information that is exchanged between web servers and browsers. These headers are not normally accessible to users (even though they may contain information that's important to your privacy), but with the Internet Junkbuster you can see almost anything you want and control everything you're likely to need. You decide what's junk. Many people publish their blockfiles to help others get started.
JunkBuster is distributed under the GNU GPL, with source code attached. The authors claim (and provide ports) that Junkbuster runs on any platform: Windows, Unix, Redhat Linux, Debian, Free BSD, OS/2, a hacked up MAC client, and BeOS. With the source code provided, other ports can be made manually. Makefile is also included in the downloaded application.
Downloading the 203 KB application from the Junkbuster website, I created a folder and unzipped the contents in there. Just like with Proxomitron, no installer is provided (nor required).
The provided executable is 116 KB, and takes 124 K of memory usage (whereas Proxomitron for instance takes 2,560 K of memory usage). This tool however, is completely DOS based. No graphical user interface is provided. Configuration is handled through a series of INI files. Modifying the INI files take immediate effect because JunkBuster (JB for short) prior to fetching a web page checks if the INI files have been modified.
Proxy information for the browser needs to be set to localhost port 8000. No sequence is required in getting the browser to work with JB, just make sure JB is running.
As an aside, the ZIP file one downloads for windows comes with an excellent help file, ijbfaq.html. Use it, and please abuse it.
From this file, a comment of the sample default blockfile: The sample blockfile we provide blocks almost nothing, and we do not publish blockfiles that stop almost all banner ads. A link is also provided to AltaVista where other blockfiles supposedly can be found.
While reading their pages in preparation for the testing, this page revealed that JunkBuster is not an application that will block scripts just as JavaSript or ActiveX. So immediately we know JB will not be a "one-stop-shop" experience.
While setting out to configure the INI files, I added in www.dslreports.com as a site JB should accept cookes, and to not block any links whatsoever.
The main INI JB file also has options to hide the DOS console, and on how to handle referrer fields, user-agents, wafers (which allow for anonymous surfing), and a couple more options not worth mentioning for this review.
Other than that, the INI files are pretty vanilla. On with the test.
Testing the URLs I have listed in the first thread review containing the three tools, some sites did not even load like Space.com, ABCNews.com or Discovery.com. CNN.com loaded up but some ads did get through. Visiting the WW link yielded a pop-up window that did not load any page, and some of the ads also did not load.
The interesting thing about the blockfile for instance is that specific ports can be blocked, like port 23 the telnet port. Wildcards can be used, as well as full pathnames and files. But, directory structures may be used as well, for instance, in all cases that meet the criteria "/ads/banners/", block all access. In this sense, blocking is very powerful, JB seems to do a great job.
Further testing revealed that indeed, JB does not block pop-ups, and does not indeed block all ads (no need to list specifics, JB even states that the default config works like this).
However, when trying to access ABCNews.com once again, I was redirected to TeamHelix.net. Now that I found somewhat amusing.
Yet out of all the sites visited, including the adult ones, no cookies got through whatsoever. 100% cookie blockage, until I on the fly checked out NorthernLight, and found a cookie sitting on my system. Each site was visited with a fresh copy of the page, making sure nothing was being called from the cache.
When pages did load, they were quick, and not so long as WW or Proxo. Yet, JB is more time-consuming to configure and get running.
There are many pages of reading, of which I still have not covered.
During the poll, a couple members stated they are users of JB. If you have spent time in setting up your INI files, please share them with us here so that I may go on with a more in-depth review.
Otherwise, this application is considered to be used by masters only. Not to mention, other programs would have to be used if one is seeking to block pop-ups/pop-unders, scripts, etc.
My 2¢ at this point in time: If you like text based tools such as this, go with the HOSTS file instead. It is much easier to load up and start using right away. If you are seeking a challenge, and I mean a challenge, then this program is for you, albeit not a one solution for everything privacy seeking.
Am ende, to check if JB is working, one can visit this page for confirmation. If you want to see what headers you are sending, check this page. And a final comment from their site: Disabling Javascript stops some pop-up ads. One problem is that some advertisers throw open a new browser window to frame the ad. The ad is easily blocked, but the empty window remains. You can kill it easily, but this is a chore. We don't see how to stop them other than editing the HTML from the parent window, which we don't like to do.
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Reprinted with premission from the original posting here on 2001-06-16.
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