Copyright: 1998 Siemens AG, Webwasher 1.0


What is WebWasher?

What is WebWasher®?

WebWasher is a software add-on for Netscape and Microsoft browsers which makes it easier to find useful information on the Web.

Benefits

•	Removes advertising on web pages while surfing on the internet.

•	Filters pop-up windows.

•	Loads pages faster.

•	Saves up to 45% network bandwidth.

•	Detailed statistical functions.

•	Easy installation.

•	Smart Update with push-button upgrade.

•	No need to install the software on each PC in a network. Allows the user to run WebWasher as a proxy others can access.

•	Is able to write a Common Logfile.

•	Does not modify any existing winsock DLL or settings/registry.

•	Year 2000 compliant

•	Optimized for usage in enterprise networks

WebWasher is a registered mark of Siemens AG.

European patent filed.


Installation

WebWasher requires less than 1 MB of harddisk space.

•	Start washxxx.exe (xxx stands for the three digits of the version number e.g. wash110.exe). The installation program will be launched.

•	Choose your preferred language (German/English) for the installation process.

•	Choose the directory in which WebWasher will be installed.

•	Choose a name for the program manager group.

•	Configure WebWasher for your proxy server (see Configuration).

Just in case. You can deinstall WebWasher with the deinstall icon in the WebWasher program manager group.


Configuration: Choosing the Browser

Configuration in 2 steps

Please choose your browser:

•	Netscape Navigator 3.x

•	Netscape Communicator 4.x

•	Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x

•	Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

•	Opera


Configuration of Netscape Navigator 3.x

Step 1: Configuration of Netscape Navigator 3.x

In Navigator select in the menu 'Options' the entry 'Network Preferences...'. Select the tab 'Proxies'. Find out your network settings:

•	No Proxy:
Mark 'Manual proxy configuration' and click on 'View...'. Enter the host ('localhost' or '127.0.0.1') and port ('8080') in 'HTTP' field (screenshot). Close both windows by clicking on the 'OK' button. You are finished.

•	Manual Proxy Configuration:
Click on 'View...'. Please remember the HTTP and port settings of the browser. You need them later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter the host ('localhost' or '127.0.0.1') and port ('8080') in 'HTTP' field (screenshot). Close both windows by clicking on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

•	Automatic Proxy Configuration:
Please remember the automatic proxy configuration setting of the browser. You need it later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter 'http://localhost:8080/proxyconf' in 'Automatic Proxy Configuration' field. Close window by clicking on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

Note for system administrators: 8080 is the local port by which WebWasher communicates with the browser. It can be changed in browser and WebWasher if required.


Configuration of Netscape Communicator 4.x

Step 1: Configuration of Netscape Communicator 4.x

In Communicator select 'Preferences...' in the 'Edit' menu. Select the category 'Proxies' in 'Advanced'. Find out your network settings:

•	No Proxy:
Mark 'Manual proxy configuration' and click on 'View...'. Enter the host ('localhost' or '127.0.0.1') and port ('8080') in 'HTTP' field (screenshot). Close both windows by clicking on the 'OK' button. You are finished.

•	Manual Proxy Configuration:
Click on 'View...'. Please remember the HTTP and port settings of the browser. You need them later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter the host ('localhost' or '127.0.0.1') and port ('8080') in 'HTTP' field (screenshot). Close both windows by clicking on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

•	Automatic Proxy Configuration:
Please remember the automatic proxy configuration setting of the browser. You need it later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter 'http://localhost:8080/proxyconf' in 'Automatic Proxy Configuration' field. Close window by clicking on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

Note for system administrators: 8080 is the local port by which WebWasher communicates with the browser. It can be changed in browser and WebWasher if required.


Configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x

Step 1: Configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x

Start the Windows Control Panel and double click on 'Internet'. Select the 'Connection' tab. Find out your network settings:

•	No Proxy:
Mark the box 'Access the Internet by using a proxy server'. Click on the 'Advanced' button and enter the host ('localhost' or '127.0.0.1') and port ('8080') in the 'HTTP' field. Close both windows by clicking on the 'OK' button. You are finished.

•	Manual Proxy Configuration:
Mark the box 'Access the Internet by using a proxy server'. Click on the 'Advanced' button. Please remember the HTTP and port settings of the browser. You need them later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter the host ('localhost' or '127.0.0.1') and port ('8080') in the 'HTTP' field. Close both windows by clicking on the 'OK' button. . Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

•	Automatic Proxy Configuration:
Please remember the automatic proxy configuration setting of the browser. You need it later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter 'http://localhost:8080/proxyconf' in 'Automatic Proxy Configuration' field. Close window by clicking on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

Note for system administrators: 8080 is the local port by which WebWasher communicates with the browser. It can be changed in browser and WebWasher if required.


Configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

Step 1: Configuration of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

In Internet Explorer select 'Internet Options...' in the 'Tools' menu. Select the 'Connections' tab (screenshot). If you use a dial-up connection to connect to the Internet then choose your dial-up connection and click on 'Settings...', otherwise click on 'LAN-Settings...'. Find out your network settings by determining which of the following checkboxes are marked in the browser:

•	Automatic Configuration Script:
Deactivate the checkbox 'Automatically detect settings'. Please remember the automatic configuration script setting of the browser. You need it later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Enter 'http://localhost:8080/proxyconf' in 'Automatic Configuration Script' field. Close window by clicking on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

•	Use Proxy Server:
Deactivate the checkbox 'Automatically detect settings'. In the section 'Use proxy server' click on 'Advanced... ' (screenshot dial-up resp. LAN). Please remember the HTTP and port settings of the browser. You need them later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). Make sure that the box 'Use the same proxy server for all protocols' is not marked. Now enter in the 'HTTP' field 'localhost' or '127.0.0.1' and enter the port '8080' (screenshot). Click successively in each window on the 'OK' button. Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

•	Neither 'Automatic Configuration Script' nor 'Use Proxy Server' are marked:
Deactivate the checkbox 'Automatically detect settings'. In the section 'Use proxy server' click on 'Advanced... ' (screenshot dial-up resp. LAN). Make sure that the box 'Use the same proxy server for all protocols' is not marked. Now enter in the 'HTTP' field 'localhost' or '127.0.0.1' and enter the port '8080' (screenshot). Click successively in each window on the 'OK' button. You are finished.

If you are a customer of an Internet service provider (e.g. T-online, AOL) and would like to be able to connect to Internet via standard software (e.g. t-online software) and alternatively via dial-up network, then you need to configure both, dial-up and LAN.

Note for system administrators: 8080 is the local port by which WebWasher communicates with the browser. It can be changed in browser and WebWasher if required.


Configuration of Opera

Step 1: Configuration von Opera

Under 'Preferences', 'Proxy servers' please remember the HTTP and port settings of the browser. You need them later for the further configuration of WebWasher (Step 2). check the box 'HTTP'. Now enter in the 'HTTP' field 'localhost' or '127.0.0.1' and enter the port '8080'. Click on the 'OK' button. . Configuration of the browser is finished. Continue with configuration of WebWasher.

Note for system administrators: 8080 is the local port by which WebWasher communicates with the browser. It can be changed in browser and WebWasher if required.


WebWasher - manual proxy configuration

Step 2: Configuration of WebWasher (manual proxy configuration)

Start WebWasher. A tray icon [image] appears. Double click on the tray icon. Choose the 'Proxy Engine' tab. Enter your proxy address and port number (screenshot). You are finished

Hint:

You can easily deactivate WebWasher at any time and retrieve web pages in original format. Just make one left click on the WebWasher tray icon [image]. It changes to [image]. Then reload the web page by simultaneously pressing the shift-button (Netscape) or ctrl-button (Microsoft) and clicking on 'Reload' or 'Refresh'. This requests the page again and by-passes the browser's cache. Otherwise the page would be displayed as before.


WebWasher - automatic proxy configuration

Step 2: Configuration of WebWasher (automatic proxy configuration)

Start WebWasher. A tray icon [image] appears. Double click on the tray icon. Choose the 'Proxy Engine' tab. Enter name or address of the automatic proxy configuration file (screenshot). You are finished.

Hint:

You can easily deactivate WebWasher at any time and retrieve web pages in original format. Just make one left click on the WebWasher tray icon [image]. It changes to [image]. Then reload the web page by simultaneously pressing the shift-button (Netscape) or ctrl-button (Microsoft) and clicking on 'Reload' or 'Refresh'. This requests the page again and by-passes the browser's cache. Otherwise the page would be displayed as before.


Filter Advertising

Many web pages contain annoying or even offending commercials. These ads distract user from reading the real information. WebWasher is able to block the download of advertising banners, images, logos, frames, javascripts, java-applets, pop-up windows and other ad gimmicks. web pages become almost commercial free on your browser.

WebWasher identifies classified pictures by characteristic widths and heights of the images, special HTML patterns in using an URL exclusion list and other countermeasures. The program can deactivate most javascript stealth mechanisms which try to hide advertising.

WebWasher includes a set of characteristic patterns disabling most advertising. It is possible to extent the URL and image dimension filter lists to satisfy special needs.

•	Removes reliable advertising on web pages.

•	Pages are loaded quicker because WebWasher disables contacting the ad-server.

•	web page becomes easier readable.

•	User can extend the block lists.

•	Statistics show the amount of filtered objects .


Advertising filter

Using wildcards in the filterlist

WebWasher supports the usage of wildcards for characters or strings in the filter list. In most cases, there is no need for wildcards at all. Just enter the complete URL, a part of the URL or any characteristic text pattern of the URL into the list.

In certain cases, wildcards can be required. The syntax is:

?	precisely one arbitrary character or no character

*	precisely one arbitrary string or an empty string

[string]	precisely one character out of the specified string

[char1-char2]	precisely one character out of the range from character1 to character2

[^string]	precisely one character not out of the specified string

[^char1-char2]	precisely one character not out of the range from character1 to character2

(expr1|expr2|...)	disjunction of several expressions. Expressions can be empty, contain a character or a string. Wildcards can be used.

\?	the character '?'

\*	the character '*'

\(	the character '('

\)	the character ')'

\[	the character '['

\]	the character ']'

\\	the character '\'

\|	the character '|'

Examples:

http://* 	all URLs

http://*.net 	URLs that end with '.

http://*advert*	URLs that contain the string 'advert'

http://192.109.2.3[12]*	URLs of webserver with IP-address '192.109.2.31' or '192.109.2.32'

http://*(tree|hill)*	URLs that contain 'tree' or 'hill'

http://foo/\*dust	The URL 'http://foo/*dust'


System Requirements

•	Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT4.0

•	Original Netscape, Microsoft or Opera browser

•	WebWasher requires less than 1 MB free harddisk space


Command Line Parameters

For special purposes WebWasher can be started with command line parameters. Normally this functionality is only for systemadministrators of value.

/launch:"name_of_executable_program_incl._full_path"

Example:	wwasher.exe /launch:"c:\program files\netscape\netscape.exe"

Function:	The specified program is launched after WebWasher is ready-to-operate. This function can be used for instance to create a WebWasher icon on the desktop which starts WebWasher and the browser successively.

/shutdown

Example:	wwasher.exe /shutdown

Function:	Closes a running instance of WebWasher. If no instance is active the parameter does nothing.

/feedback: [ "install" | "uninstall" | ":text" ]

Example:	wwasher.exe /feedback::"Hello"

Function:	Shows a feedback window, either with the message which is shown during installation, uninstallation or with an additional user defined "text". However it doesn't launch WebWasher. For instance this option is useful for administrators to get user opinions about the program.


Proxy Engine

The Proxy Engine is the core of WebWasher. It co-ordinates all Internet traffic between the browser and the proxy server resp. the Internet.

Usual dataflow:

Dataflow with WebWasher:


Known Errors

Please have a look at the web page http://www.siemens.de/servers/wwash/wwash_us/faq.htm for up-to-date information.


Questions and Answers

Please have a look at the web page http://www.siemens.de/servers/wwash/wwash_us/faq.htm for up-to-date information.

Installation

Q:  I have installed WebWasher. But it does not do anything.

A:  You need to configure WebWasher and your browser. Please read the Configuration

Q:  I have configured everything correctly, but still nothing happens.

A:  T-Online Users: You have to start your T-Online software first, then the browser and at last WebWasher.

A:  T-Online Users: Please check if you have typed in the HTTP1 field of WebWasher 'www-proxy.btx.dtag.de' and in port '80'.

A:  Probably you have a browser from your ISP (e.g. T-Online) . They may have presetted browser settings which could be fixed. Please check your browser with a test page at http://www.siemens.de/servers/wwash/wwash_us/test.htm. There you find up-to-date help, patches and more.

Q:  I have a direct connection to the Internet. My provider says that I should not switch to manual proxy configuration because then I cannot access the Internet anymore. Does WebWasher not run with my provider?

A:  WebWasher should run with every provider. Even so you have 'direct connection to the Internet', please switch to 'manual proxy configuration' and type in the HTTP field '127.0.0.1'and port '8080'. WebWasher is a local proxy server on your PC and is able to perform a direct connection to the Internet. In the WebWasher you have to activate 'Don't use a proxy' for direct connection.

Q:  What is the meaning of '127.0.0.1' and port '8080' in the HTTP field of the browser?

A:  '127.0.0.1' is not an external proxy server, it is your own PC. WebWasher sits there, listens on port '8080' and does all the HTTP data transfer to the Internet.

Q: After installation of WebWasher I have sometimes trouble to download files from the Internet.

A: Probably the FTP-field in the 'manual proxy configuration' of the browser contains '127.0.0.1' and port '8080'. Please leave this field empty if you have 'direct connection to the Internet'. If you use a proxy server to connect to the Internet, please type in the address of the proxy server. (Hint: Only the HTTP-field needs to be changed during installation.)

Q: What the heck is a 'proxy'?

A: Simply spoken, 'proxies' are computer programs, which act like a gateway between the PC and the Internet. A 'proxy server' is a computer running such a program.

Q:  I have installed WebWasher. But web pages are loaded much slower now.

A:  Check your proxy settings. Did you type in the correct proxy address and port. Some proxies run slower on port 80 than on 81.

Q:  I would like to run silent installations of WebWasher on a larger number of PCs.

A:  Just execute the install file with the parameter '/s'.

Functions:

Q:  Does WebWasher fetch ad images and make them just invisible on the web page?

A:  No. WebWasher eliminates the HTTP connection to advertising. This means your browser does not download the ad images. Web surfing speed can increase significantly and network bandwidth is saved.

Q:  I use the filters of WebWasher to kill banners on web pages. But sometimes I would like to see the page in the original format. How can I do that?

A:  You can easily deactivate WebWasher every time and retrieve web pages in original format. Just make one left click on the WebWasher tray icon [image]. It changes to [image]. Then reload the web page with a shift-reload (Netscape Browser), ctrl-reload (MS Internet Explorer).

Q:  Will I get SPAM-mail if I send back the feedback form?

A:  You can send the form anonymously without revealing your email-address. If you decide to provide your email address, we will only use it to answer your questions. That's it. Nothing else.

Q:  I clicked once on the WebWasher tray icon, but nothing happened. Then a few seconds later the tray icon changed suddenly. What happens?

A:  The delay between your single mouse click on the tray icon and the change of the icon is correct. Windows waits a moment to interpret your mouse click correctly as a single click and not a double click. The length of the delay depends on your mouse settings in Windows.

Q:  Can I surf faster with WebWasher?

A:  WebWasher speeds up Web surfing in two ways:

•	First, web pages are loaded faster because less data is retrieved. The amount of acceleration depends on the WebWasher configuration and the web pages. Therefore it does not make sense to publish a statement like 'x-times faster'.

•	Second, - we believe this is much more important - WebWasher helps you to save a substantial amount of time by filtering and presenting the content in your personal style. For example, pages without advertising are less distracting and much faster to read. You do not need to close each annoying pop-up window anymore.

Q:  I noticed that sometimes the number of filtered images in the WebWasher statistics window exceeds the number of advertising images on the web page. Does WebWasher filter too much?

A:  web pages can include additional, non-visible graphical data which are required for the positioning of the advertising. WebWasher filters them too.

Q:  Does WebWasher send the statistic window to someone?

A:  No. The statistics will not be sent to anyone and can not be retrieved by other network users. All data is stored in the file wwasher.ini on your local hard drive. However feel free to send us a feedback and tell us how many objects have been saved. :-)

Q:  Is WebWasher a 'trojan horse'?

A:  No. WebWasher does not behave differently compared to a webbrowser except it modifies the 'user agent'. If your browser requests an object like text or image from a website it also sends a browser identification string (user agent). This string is used by some sites to display web pages best suited to your browser's characteristics. WebWasher does not change browser's ID but adds the WebWasher ID to the user agent field. This allows webmasters to calculate the percentage of WebWasher accesses on their site. If you do not want websites identifying your WebWasher usage it is possible to disable this function with the option 'Don't change 'User Agent' field'.

Q:  Can I hide WebWasher on my desktop

A:  Sure. Use in the 'options' menu 'Hide splash screen' and 'Hide tray icon'. After that, you can close the WebWasher window. The program is still active. However if you want to change some settings again you have - to restart WebWasher.

Q:  Can I use wildcards for the definition of strings in the filter list?

A:  Yes. Please refer to the help topic Using wildcards in the filterlist for a detailed decription.

Upgrading

Q:  How can I upgrade to new WebWasher versions?

A: Use the menu item 'Check for update' in the help menu '?'. WebWasher will contact a download server and notify you if a new version is available.

Miscellaneous

Q:  Will you ever release WebWasher for other operating systems (MacOS, Linux, etc.)?

A: Porting WebWasher to other operating systems is in progress. A detailed time schedule has not yet been fixed.

Q:  Why do you count the days in WebWasher? Will the software expire after 30 days?

A:  The program has no time limit. Counting the days is just a memory-aid for the business users so they know the number of days they have tested WebWasher.

Q:  What about year 2000 compliancy of WebWasher?

A:  WebWasher is year 2000 compliant.

Q:  I have an idea to improve WebWasher. Can I write an own plug-in?

A:  Generally speaking, yes. All plug-ins of WebWasher are DLLs. So extension of WebWasher's functions can easily be made. Please contact us for details.

Q:  Why is Siemens starting to develop a program which is completely free for educational institutions and non-commercial users?

A:  There are many reasons. For example we are able to develop such a product much faster. The rate of incoming improvements and new features for this program is considerably higher compared to pure commercial software. The product meets extremely well the expectations of a very broad range of user. And of course: WebWasher is a small contribution to the journey to more sensibility and responsibility in the information- and communication society.

Q: I subscribed to your WebWasher mailing list. But I haven't received any mail up to now, although there are new versions available in the mean time.

A: We only send emails if the new version includes many more functions with substantial, additional benefits. Please consider that new versions with simple bugfixes or improvements may be generated daily, sometimes hourly.


Version 1.1

This version includes significantly improved filter algorithms and functions which have been filed for patent. The program is specifically optimized for usage in corporate networks. For example WebWasher is probably worldwide the sole client software - beside the popular browsers - which supports automatic proxy configuration usually found in companies. The size of the installation file could be kept low by using code- and speed optimization, even though many more functions have been added.


Feedback

Please send your ideas, comments, bug reports etc. to us. Just open the help menu '?' of WebWasher and choose 'Send feedback...'. There you can type in your comments. Alternatively, you can use the email-address below.

Thank you for using WebWasher.

WebWasher Hotline:

support.webwasher@pdb.siemens.de


How to buy

Home user or educational institutions: WebWasher is free (freeware) for non-commercial users (home users) and

educational institutions like e.g. schools and universities. Enjoy the software and have a good time on the web. Please feel free to send us your suggestions, ideas or bug reports. Good ideas will be implemented in the future.

Commercial users: WebWasher is low-cost shareware for commercial users. You can test the software for 30 days free of charge. If you decide to use WebWasher furthermore you have to buy a license.

Where to buy WebWasher?

You can buy WebWasher via secure shopping on the web. Please check out http://www.siemens.de/servers/wwash/wwash_us/buy.htm

For orders of more than 1000 licenses please contact your Siemens sales or send email to support.webwasher@pdb.siemens.de.


Smart Update

Updating of your WebWasher version is very easy. Just activate WebWasher, in the menu bar choose '?' (Help) and then 'Check for update'. WebWasher will inform you if there is a newer version available. In this case it starts loading the update for the installation.

Alternatively, you can download the newest version by yourself from http://www.siemens.de/servers/wwash/wwash_us/download.htm.

Install WebWasher in the existing program directory. The install program replaces outdated files.


Type '127.0.0.1' and '8080' in the HTTP proxy settings of your browser as shown in the picture below.


Type your proxy address and the port number as shown below.

Hint: You can retrieve your proxy address and port from the preferences menu of your browser.


Type your name or address of the proxy configuration file as shown below.

Hint: You can retrieve name or address of the proxy configuration file from the preferences menu of your browser.


If you use a dial-up connection to connect to the Internet then choose your dial-up connection and click on 'Settings...', otherwise click on 'LAN-Settings...'.


Deactivate the checkboxes 'Automatically detect settings'. Mark the box 'Use a proxy server' and click on 'Advanced...'


Deactivate the checkboxes 'Automatically detect settings'. Mark the box 'Use a proxy server' and click on 'Advanced...'


Make sure that the box 'Use the same proxy server for all protocols' is not marked. Now enter in the 'HTTP' field 'localhost' or '127.0.0.1' and enter the port '8080'.


Hide splash screen

A splash screen with the 'WebWasher logo' and the version number pops up during the start of the program. You can hide the splash screen by selecting the item 'Hide splash screen' in the 'Options' menu.


Hide tray icon

You can hide the tray icon [image] in selecting the item 'Hide tray icon' in the 'Options' menu. If you want to change any WebWasher preferences later the program has to be restarted.


Disable warning on exit

If you close WebWasher a message appears 'If you shut down WebWasher you have to change your...'. You can disable this message with the option 'Disable warning on exit'.


Don't animate tray icon

The WebWasher tray icon turns into light blue while there are open connections to the Internet. This is useful to monitor the activities of your browser. You can disable this function with the option 'Don't animate tray icon'.


Don't change 'User Agent' field

If your browser requests an object like text or image from a website it sends also a browser identification string (user agent). This string is used by some sites to display web pages which are best suited to your browser's characteristics. WebWasher does not change browser's ID but adds the WebWasher ID to the user agent field. This allows webmasters to calculate the percentage of WebWasher accesses on their site. If you do not want websites identifying your WebWasher usage disable this function with the option 'Don't change 'User Agent' field'.


Not connected (offline)

Disconnects WebWasher from the Internet but does not automatically terminate the connection of your PC to the Internet. This option is beneficial if you want to surf offline and save online-costs (please disconnect from the net first) or print web pages faster (browser is forced to use the cached data for printing).


Don't change Netscape's context menu

Netscape users can easily add images to the filterlist by clicking with the right mouse button on the picture and then choosing 'Add to filterlist (WebWasher)' in the context menu.

The modification of the browser can be turned off with the option 'Don't change Netscape's context menu'. This avoids the possibility of interference with other programs (e.g. translation programs). It also modifies the right mouse button.


Prevent cache by-passing

Transferred data from the Internet is normally buffered in the cache of the browser. If the web page is requested again the data is fetched from the cache, thus avoiding a time and money costly retransmission. Consequently the cache of the browser considerably accelerates the surfing speed.

Some web pages contain special code bypassing the cache of the browser while reloading of the web page. This means all data have to be fetched again from the Internet. Web page Therefore surfing speed considerably decreases and valuable bandwidth of the network is lost.

Code which by-passes the cache makes sense on pages frequently changing their contents (chats, news etc.); the newest content is always displayed. Unfortunately misuse of this code is on the rise with the intention to leverage artificially the number of pageviews. A page view is only counted if the data are requested from the webserver and not from the browser's cache.

The WebWasher function 'Prevent cache by-passing', found in the menu 'Options', offers the user a general possibility to avoid manipulation of the browser's cache. It is also recommended to deactivate the comparison function of the browser's cache with the document on the network.


Begin context sensitive help


Activates and stores the configuration settings.


Dismisses all changes in this window.


Main switch to activate or deactivate the advertising filter. WebWasher removes advertising banners, images, pop-up windows, and other commercials on web pages. This increases the surfing speed.


Removes all pop-up windows launched by entering a web page. Web page This is a brute-force method to get rid of advertising windows.


Activates the HTTP proxy.


Disconnects WebWasher and the browser from the proxy server. If you are connected to an Intranet, then you can only access Intranet websites.


Prevents your browser to enter these domains via a proxy, e.g. list domains belonging to your Intranet.


It shows the port number of WebWasher used to connect to your browser.


This is the port number of the proxy server.


This is the port number of an additional proxy server.


This is the port number of the secure proxy server.


Specifies the type of proxy server.


Specifies the web addresses (URL) and/or domains (e.g. 'siemens.com') for which the additional proxy server is used. Several addresses are separated by commas.


This field is used to specify the proxy server or a proxy configuration file.

A proxy server is like a gateway between your computer and the Internet.

A proxy configuration file is offered by some network providers as an alternative. If you type the address of a proxy configuration file in this field all your proxy settings are centrally maintained and serviced by the network provider.

For example a proxy server is shut down for maintenance reasons. Then the proxy configuration file allows the connection to alternative servers. Proxy configuration files are frequently used in complex corporate networks to optimize the network bandwidth and to control the data flow.


This field is used to specify an additional proxy server exclusively used for contacting to specific web pages or domains.

For example, you can be connected to corporate domains entering the name of a proxy server which is not accessible by direct connection.


This field is used to specify the secure proxy server. A secure proxy server allows you to retrieve and send encrypted information.


Specifies the maximum number of trials WebWasher is performing to fetch an object directly from the Internet. The default is '2'. This option allows to circumvent temporary transmission problems.

Normally the browser attempts to retrieve an object for one time only. In the case of a temporary interruption the web page is loaded incompletely. By increasing this value WebWasher repeats the requests until the maximum number of requests is reached or the web page is loaded completely.


Specifies the maximum number of trials WebWasher is performing to fetch an object via proxy from the Internet. The default is '2'. This option allows to circumvent temporary transmission problems.

Normally the browser attempts to retrieve an object for one time only. In the case of a temporary interruption the web page is loaded incompletely. By increasing this value WebWasher repeats the requests until the maximum number of requests is reached or the web page is loaded completely.


This option is used for fine-tuning of WebWasher in an Intranet. Instead of typing a URL in the browser (e.g. 'http://server_name.fooo.com') you can also enter the name of a local server (e.g. 'server_name'). WebWasher is able to contact the local server directly without using a proxy. Activating this option speeds up internal connections and reduces the load on the proxy server.


WebWasher includes separate functional modules (plug-ins) which allow developers to extend the program's features easily.


Accepts your commands and closes the window.


The number of removed advertising images since the start of the statistics. WebWasher automatically blocks HTTP requests to advertising sites. You can reset the statistics at any time.


The number of removed pop-up windows with advertising since the start of the statistics.


The number of removed JavaScripts with advertising since the start of the statistics. JavaScript is an interpreted script language from Netscape which is used on web pages. Some websites use JavaScript to hide advertising. WebWasher detects and disables most JavaScript stealth mechanisms.


The number of removed layers with advertising since the start of the statistics. Some websites use the dynamic HTML command <LAYER> to place advertising over the web page.


The number of removed frames with advertising since the start of the statistics. Frames allow a browser's screen to be split into sections. Some sites display advertising in a separate frame. WebWasher detects and completely removes advertising frames.


The number of removed forms with advertising since the start of the statistics.


The number of kilobytes sent by your browser to servers of websites. Most of the data consists of simple HTTP GET commands telling the server whichtext and images have to be transferred.


The number of kilobytes received by your browser without using a proxy, e.g. via Intranet or local network.


The number of kilobytes received by your browser via a proxy, e.g. firewall, ISP account.


Displays date and time since the statistics was started. You can reset the statistics at any time.


Resets all numbers of the statistics to zero. You need to confirm if you really want to reset the statistics.


The number of images received and displayed on your browser.


The number of connections made by your browser. A connection is a single transfer of an object like text or image from a website to your browser.


WebWasher can be run in a mode which allows others to use your PC as a WebWasher gateway. This is particularly helpful in Intranets of companies if you don't want to install WebWasher on each computer. Instead the progam is able to work on a single server system. For this application the clients have to change their HTTP proxy settings of the browser to the IP-address of the WebWasher gateway.

It is not possible to connect the systems with non-Windows operating system (e.g. UNIX workstations) to WebWasher, too.


"More >>" expands the window to show extra information or options.

"<< Less" reduces the window to hide extra information or options.


Opens the web page where information for purchasing the WebWasher license is displayed.


Here you can enter the name of your company. The text will appear in the 'About' window.


Type in your name. The text will appear in the 'About' window.


After enteringthe serial number of your license please press this button. This will remove the 'Buy & Register' menu item and change to the license note 'Siemens Freeware for non commercial users' to 'Siemens registered version'.


Here enter the serial number.


Main switch to activate or deactivate the advertising filter. WebWasher removes advertising banners, images and other commercials on web pages. Surfing speed increases.


Activates filtering of advertising by characteristic dimensions of ad images.


Adds a characteristic image dimension which has to be filtered.


The height of the image in pixels.


Lists all user-defined characteristic dimensions of ad graphics which is filtered, too.


Removes a user-defined characteristic dimension.


The width of the image in pixels.


By default an image with the specified characteristic dimension is not filtered, if the image is located on the same server as the web page. This avoids the seldom case that an image with beneficial information is filtered because it has by accident one of the image sizes of advertising banners by accident. Checking this option allows filtering by dimensions regardless of the location of the image.


Activates filtering of advertising by characteristic patterns in URLs.


Adds the entered URL to the filter list.


Activates or deactivates the selected entries for filtering.


WebWasher already includes a comprehensive, predefined filter list. In addition a complete or characteristic part of a URL can be added which should be filtered.


Enter here the complete or a characteristic part of a URL which should be filtered.


Disables filtering by selected entries in the filter list.


Removes the selected entries from the filter list.


Activates filtering of forms.


Activates filtering of frames.


Activates filtering of images.


Activates filtering of layers.


Activates filtering of text links.


Activates filtering of background images. This option only removes advertising backgrounds, i.e. not all background images generally.


Deactivates minimization of filtered frames. Use this option to keep the original format of web page layouts.


Replaces filtered images with transparent images. Use this option to keep the original format of web page layouts. Alternatively filtered images can be replaced by a user-defined image to e.g. highlight filtered areas with a color.


Replaces filtered images with transparent images. Use this option to keep the original format of web page layouts.


Replaces filtered images with a user-defined image to e.g. highlight filtered areas with a color.


Here an image can be chosen to be displayed instead of the filtered images.


Activates filtering of Javascripts.


Activates filtering of pop-up windows.


The number of current connections. A connection is a single transfer of an object like text or image from a website to your browser. Browsers can simultaneously request several objects from a web server.


Expands the whole display.


Reduce the whole display.


Filters all scripts automatically started if a web page is loaded.


Filters all scripts automatically started if a web page is closed.


Prevents the modification by a web page of the status bar of the browser. For example this option is used to filter scrolling text in the status bar.


Filters special javascript functions which automatically transfer you from one web page to another one.


Activates or deactivates a characteristic image dimension for filtering.


Resets the list of characteristic image dimensions to default values.


Activates or deactivates the blocking of accesses to web pages or complete websites already defined in the exclusion list.


Enter the URL of a web page which should always appear if a blocked URL is accessed.


Activates or deactivates the built-in filter list. Deactivating the built-in filter list severely degrades ad filtering efficiency. Normally this need not to be checked. This option is useful for people who want to use their own filterlist only.


Here you can type in comments about WebWasher. Your ideas and suggestions contributes very much to a customer focussed development of WebWasher.


You can send the feedback anonymously without revealing the email-address. If you decide to provide your email address we will only use it to answer your questions. That's it. Nothing else.


If you would like to receive an email notification about new WebWasher versions please mark this checkbox. We only send emails if the new version includes many additional functions with substantial benefits. Please consider that new versions with simple bugfixes or improvements may be generated daily, sometimes hourly.


Sends your comment via email to the WebWasher team.


Clears the feedback form.


Activates filtering of animated images. An animated image is a graphical item on a web page that automatically changes its content - for example a flashing icon or a banner which displays a short sequence of pictures. Animated images can loop endlessly or stop after a few sequences. WebWasher allows the user to take control over the way animated images are presented. It is recommended to use the option which shows only the first image of a sequence. Thereby bandwidth and computing power is saved significantly and page display accelerated.


Specifies the maximum number of sequences of image animation.


Show only the first image of the sequence of an animated image. This option accelerates loading of a webpage significantly because only the first image of the animation is retrieved from the Internet. For example an animated image may consist of a sequence of ten images. Then the amount of transferred data is reduced to about 10%. This option reduces the load of the network substantially. In addition CPU-power of the computer is saved which would be needed for the animation otherwise.


Allows to specify the maximum number of sequences of image animation which are displayed on the web page.


Animated images will not be displayed. This option should only be used if animated images do generally not contain beneficial data for the user.


Disables filtering of images by checking the file header. Images for web pages contain information about their size in the header of the file. If the dimension is specified in the filter list the image will be filtered. By default, WebWasher checks file headers of all images whose size has not been defined in the HTML-code. With this option you can disable the file header check.


Disables filtering of images which are located on the same path or domain of the current web page. In very seldom cases beneficial information, e.g. a navigational object, of a web page is filtered. This option allows to restrict filtering.


Disables filtering of images which are located on the same path or domain of the current web page. Use this option if you want to be sure that all images of the website are displayed.


Disables filtering of images which are located on the same or subsequent path of the current web page. Use this option if you want to be sure that all images of the web page are displayed.


Activates filtering of the 'Referer'. If your browser requests an object like text or image from a website it sends also a string ('Referer') which contains the URL of the page last visited. Webmasters can use this feature to track your movement through their website or to find out where you came from. If you do not want to reveal your movement path, you can selectively hide it with this option.


Always removes the 'Referer' regardless where you came from.


Removes the 'Referer' if you came from a different website. Still sends the 'Referer' if you move through the same website. Allows webmaster to track your movement through their own website only. This information is beneficial for them to adjust or optimize the navigational structure of the website. Some services, like online booking, also need a 'Referer' to work properly.


Removes the 'Referer' if you came from a different path of the URL. Still sends the 'Referer' if you move through the same or subsequent path. Use this option if you want to hide your movement but still need services which rely on 'Referer' to work properly.