Guidescope blocks Web bugs that spy on you; Norton program does, too, but with complexity

The main problem with Norton Internet Security is its complexity. If you don't want to take on the role of PC Administrator for your home computer, skip this software.

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Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

Free Guidescope blocks Web bugs that spy on you; $70 Norton program does, too, but with complexity

Nov. 15, 2000

By Al Fasoldt
Copyright ©2000, Al Fasoldt
Copyright ©2000, The Syracuse Newspapers

   Last week I described one of the most insidious threats to your privacy online. Some Web sites are able to track who you are and where you go using Web bugs -- invisible image files your browser loads as if they were normal pictures.
   When your browser tries to show you these invisible images (they're 1-pixel transparent GIFs), the computer at the other end of the connection is able to keep a log of what your browser did. Because some Web sites are also able to find out who you are, the combination adds up to a clear invasion of privacy. Sites can track where you go and what you do without asking you or telling you.
   On its own, your Web browser has no way to block this kind of snooping. The security settings or zones in your browser won't help. Nor will a firewall help. Anti-virus software won't combat this either. You need something else.
   I tried two methods. The first runs under Windows and Macintosh computers and probably would have worked acceptably if I'd had more patience. It's Norton Internet Security 2000 from Symantec. It costs about $70. The second, called Guidescope, runs under Windows, Linux and some versions of Unix. It worked very well, and doesn't cost a cent.
   You can buy a downloadable version of Norton Internet Security (without the box and printed manual) from the Symantec online store at www.symantecstore.com. You can get the free Guidescope software by downloading it from www.guidescope.com.
   The problems I had with Norton Internet Security left me wondering how anyone could possibly cope with inflated installation programs. The installer first put an antivirus program on the Windows PC I used for testing -- which wouldn't have been a bad idea except for the fact that I already had a good AV program installed -- and then, after what I guessed was a failed reboot, nothing else happened. The installer did not reappear after the PC started up again and I did not have Norton Internet Security anywhere.
   So I reran the installation program and it then installed the rest of the suite of programs.
   I used the defaults for all settings and discovered that I could not longer print from one computer to another. (Our computers, a mix of Windows and Linux PCs, are networked by standard Ethernet. Each computer normally is able to print on either of our two printers across the network.)
   I checked the manual that came with Norton Internet Security and found that the program automatically disables network printing in an attempt to block intruders who could get into the computer through the method Windows uses to share files and printers. It's a simple matter to allow specific computers to print and share files, but the installation program failed to handle this on its own. I fixed the problem by changing the setup.
   But the main problem with Norton Internet Security is its complexity. If you don't want to take on the role of PC Administrator for your home computer, skip this software.
   By contrast, Guidescope was a dream to set up and very easy to use. I tested the Linux version and looked at the Windows version. They appeared to work the same way. I liked the fact that Guidescope functions with any Web browser.
   All you do it set up Windows or Linux to run a small Guidescope program when the computer boots up. You make a one-time change to your browser's proxy settings so that all Web activity is directed through the Guidescope program. That's all you have to do.
   Guidescope has a few extras, all accessible from a small launch window. You can modify the list of items Guidescope blocks, open a quick-search window, get a new list of bookmarks (or favorites) separate from your browser's own list and open a customized weather page.
   Both programs filtered Web bugs properly, and both removed banner ads from Web pages, too. Guidescope wins my endorsement not only because it's free but because it's easier to install and far easier to use. But if you want a heavy-duty security program and don't mind the work setting it up and using it, Norton Internet Security might be what you want.