[WEB4LIB] Re: Home Page Hijacking

[Donna Schumann]

This registry hack talks about setting 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
to Read Only.

In addition, we set the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet 
Explorer\Main to read only -- we have run into a few programs that 
modify this part of the registry to change the default home page.

Donna


Andrew Mutch wrote:

> Linda,
> 
> The absence of registry entries in XP doesn't preclude you from adding them
> in. However, I've found that registry hack outlined at Winguides to be less
> that effective in stopping these home page changes. Apparently, it merely
> blocks "physical" access to the home page setting. In fact, it effectively
> blocks you out while still leaving the value open to be changed. Instead,
> you'll want to go the permissions route as outlined in the Web4Lib archives
> by Bob Sullivan here:
> 
> http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Web4Lib/archive/0203/0328.html
> 
> That should do the trick without having to resort to third-party software.
> 
> Andrew Mutch
> Library Systems Technician
> Waterford Township Public Library
> Waterford, MI
> 
> 
> Linda Schwartz wrote:
> 
> 
>>Can anyone tell me how to prevent our home page from being changed by
>>hijacking websites?  We are running IE 6.0 and WinXP Pro.  We are having
>>more and more trouble with patrons visiting other sites and having our
>>home page hijacked into bonzai.com, bolt.com etc. etc. I believe this is
>>occurring without conscious patron activity, that is, it is simply
>>surfing to the site that is causing the problem, not users deliberately
>>attempting to change the home page --- Fortres locks them out from doing
>>this manually. Every day I have to check all PACs and reset all of the
>>ones that have been changed the preceeding day. Since we have icons for
>>our home page, our news page and our pac on the desktop that's 3 checks
>>per computer. TIME CONSUMING!
>>
>>
>>
>>So far, I've gotten suggestions to buy a different security program,
>>install Centurion Guards or simply restrict every website that
>>hijacks.We are planning on install Centurions but are not ready for that
>>step yet.
>>
>>
>>
>>I found some info in the WEb4Lib archives and at
>>www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/537 that tells how to edit the
>>registry to prevent home page changes, but I do not find the
>>corresponding files in the registry in WinXP so these instructions will
>>probably not work.
>>
>>
>>
>>Linda Matula Schwartz
>>
>>Systems Librarian
>>
>>Whitehall Township Public Library
>>
>>3700 Mechanicsville Road
>>
>>Whitehall, PA 18052
>>
>>
>>
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>>
> 
> 


-- 
Donna Schumann, Computer Application Specialist
Timberland Regional Library, 415 Airdustrial Way SW, Olympia, WA 98501
Voice: 360-704-4542  FAX: 360-586-6838  Email:
schumann at timberland.lib.wa.us