Blocked Graphics

[Geminigrl]

I run Windows 98SE and connect with DSL. Since the installation of Outpost I cannot get most graphics on ANY web page and when I try to use Media Player I get an error message stating that I may not be connected to the internet, when I know I am.

I tried to uninstall Outpost, but it took a bunch of shared files with it and that REALLY messed me up. I REinstalled Outpost, but the situation isn't any better. Anybody have any ideas as to what is going on?

Thanks!!! :(

[Lithp]

Hello and welcome to the forums Geminigrl! I'll try to help you until some other moderators come and assist you further. Not to worry - the other mods are WAY smarter than myself, so hang in there.

First question I have is are you running the add blocking filter? If you are, and you have "Enable html ad stringblocking" and "block images by size" checked (plugins/ads/propeties) you may be blocking some ad images. Also, certain sizes of images are blocked as well. These values can all be seen in the ads properties.

You can easily modify or disable this feature.
To modify so you can see the image ads check the logs in the ads plugin to see which images are not being shown. It will either say an image was blocked by a link or by size. You can then configure your ads plugin to allow these ads to show by removing the ad size or the html string (just click on it and delete)

To disable either or both of these features you can uncheck the box which controls blocking by size or by html string.

You may also want to have a look at this site for a handy guide: http://www.outpostfirewall.com/guide/

I don't use media player so I will have to look into it further to see why you cannot connect. Are there any log entries that indicate what is happening?

[meneer]

Not a mod, me, so hang on longer after reading this posting, some other expert will answer more :D

You may disable all plug-in's and only activate them when you've got your internet setup the way you want it. Do some online scanning (www.pcflank.com, www.grc.com) and you'll feel more comfortable.

I don't know what mode you're running Outpost in. If you're security aware you will run in Block most mode :cool:
But: in this case Outpost blocks all (no questions asked :eek: and this seems the case, proof: the media player message). So: run in Rules Wizard mode until you're setup the way you want.

Uninstalling Outpost: No way :D

[root]

Hi Gemini, and welcome. First of all, when you uninstall Outpost, it normally does not take any shared files with it. I have never heard anybody complain about an uninstall problem like that, so maybe there is something else involved there.
When you install Outpost you need to start in the rules wizard mode. When you first surf, check mail, try to play realplayer, etc, a box will popup, usually suggesting a preset set of rules to use. Normally the presets are best.
If you have the plugins enabled, if the global permissions are to deny such things as JS, cookies, popups, and the others, then you need to start adding permissions for the pages where you want to allow say cookies or whatever.
As mentioned, the ad blocking may block certain things you might want to see. When something is blocked, you can look in the blocked log, the ads log and the active content log to see what is doing the blocking and start allowing things you don't want blocked.
I would suggest you start with a new configuration if you are having problems. There is a web site done by one of our members that has a lot of info about stting up Outpost from beginner to pro.
HERE (http://www.outpostfirewall.com/guide/)
If you have more problems, please as specific questions, one at a time, and tell us what version Outpost and any other information that might help us to help you better.
Its really not hard to get going, you just need to feel your way around a bit and it will click. :)

[gbark]

Welcome to the forums Geminigrl!

Another thing to check. If OP's Active Content plug-in is configured to block referrers you will probably experience numerous websites where the graphics are blocked. You'll only see a small image with a small red "x" if you use IE.

Try enabling referrers as the default. Many sites block the sending of button images and such if the requesting browser doesn't send a referrer link.

Best of luck.

GBark

[Danil]

Geminigrl, was the problem solved?

[Geminigrl]

Thank you all for being so helpful! :D I am sorry for the delay in responding, but have been pretty busy.

I have printed out all the suggestions and am working on getting this thing configured in such a way that I will be able to use all the features of my system while staying protected. I'll let you know if there are anymore glitches.

Thanks again!!!! :D

[bassbag]

hi...If you only use widows media player for playing songs , ( and dont bother with web info on the tracks)then I would block it completley from accessing net.The only thing you need to download is codec upgrades every few months or so(then just remove the media player entry in outpost and allow it to connect "once" for codec downloads then block again).Click tools >options >player (tab).Tick enable automatic codec download.Untick "allow internet sites to uniquly identify your player".(there is a privacy issue with this microsoft function)Untick
"attempt to aotomatically aquire liscences"Also under cd audio tab untick "enable personal rights management"(unless you only want to play your songs on that particular player e.g if you sent me a song I wouldnt be able to play it on my WMP if its a windows media file).
me

[chrisclu]

I have put WMPlayer in blocked, myself, ( see screenshot) and all is fine.
Chris

[spaceman]

I was having the same problem as Geminigrl

"since the installation of Outpost I cannot get most graphics on ANY web page"

but I followed gbark advice

"Another thing to check. If OP's Active Content plug-in is configured to block referrers you will probably experience numerous websites where the graphics are blocked. You'll only see a small image with a small red "x" if you use IE.

Try enabling referrers as the default. Many sites block the sending of button images and such if the requesting browser doesn't send a referrer link."

And solved the problem. This is a cookie thing so I set up OP to prompt me for cookies for more control and started using a cookie cleaner.