First, thanks for Castlecops and all the hard work. I come here frequently to help find answers for my forums members (and ship more than a few this way too ).

I was searching through the startup entries and came across one I know (and use) which lacked descriptions.

/s1083-edexter_exe.html lists an entry for edexter.exe

I can verify that it's not a malicious program.
Its Status should read: "Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
Although, some users only activate it when they start their browser, which would be more like:
"N" - Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary

EDexter is an older, small, free web filtering program produced by:
http://www.pyrenean.com/edexter.php

The release notes describe it as:
"A software filter and a personal server that works in two ways:

First, in conjunction with Hosts and a PACfile (If the PAC option is enabled), or in conjunction with Hosts alone, it will allow you to filter out sites that you consider objectionable, and do not wish to access. It can block an acceptable site from sending you images from an unacceptable site server (where your presence can be recorded), or from being redirected to an objectionable site. You decide what is objectionable, based on entries in Hosts or PAC files.

Second, it will act as a limited personal web server, which will operate only on your local machine (IP 127.0.0.1). Whenever the filter has been activated, instead of the unacceptable data being retrieved from the web, eDexter will intercept the search and act as if IT were the site, and quickly return a small image to be inserted in the present loading page. Your page loads faster, with less objectionable material on it. No time is wasted searching for the site (DNS search), waiting to connect, and downloading the request. Also no tracking software at the offsite location has been given any information about you. Your privacy is improved.

Using Hosts as a filter, without eDexter, will cause your browser to a wait for the file to load, from your own machine, and because the file is not there, your browser will eventually time out. This may take 10-30 seconds or more and would be repeated for each requested image on that page. If there are 20 loads from an objectionable site on one page, you will have to wait 20 times as long. Using eDexter will almost eliminate that delay."

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I found EDexter a number of years ago while reading up on HOSTS files at http://www.accs-net.com/hosts and have found it simple, reliable, easy on resources and invaluable in changing my surfing experience to ad-free happiness.

Hope some of this will be of assistance. Thanks to all who keep CastleCops updated and running.

Dee

Very useful information! Four thumbs up! lol

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Regards,

Thanks!

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Tony CLSID List