Copyright: WebWasher 2.2 - (c) webwasher.com AG, 1998-2000
Citation: WebWasher 2.2 - (c) webwasher.com AG, 1998-2000


What is WebWasher?

What is WebWasher®?

With WebWasher you surf faster and hassle free

WebWasher makes your browser an intelligent assistant

WebWasher gives vital added benefit for both Commercial and Corporate users

WebWasher shows what it does for you


With WebWasher you surf faster and hassle free

WebWasher is a powerful filter program for Web pages developed initially by Siemens. It is installed on your PC or server as an add-on to your browser. Unwanted content - such as advertising - is not even loaded via the network. WebWasher also avoids unnecessary reloading of Web objects and deanimates images. This saves you up to 45 % of the data that is normally transmitted and your browser displays Web pages practically free of advertising.

The result is a considerably faster page display, shorter search times in the Internet and thus huge savings in provider fees. One click on the program symbol switches WebWasher on or off, as you need it.


WebWasher makes your browser an intelligent assistant

WebWasher recognizes advertising banners by their characteristic graphical dimensions, special HTML patterns, URL exception list technology, and other analytical methods. Therefore the program is able to recognize and deactivate most Java/JavaScript stealth mechanisms.

The filter functions can be freely configured and customized. With just a click of your mouse you can add selected objects on the current Web site to your filter list. From then on, they are no longer loaded or displayed.


WebWasher gives vital added benefit for both Commercial and Corporate users

WebWasher is a valuable tool with which to develop the Internet access policy of corporate customers. It allows you to define rules for Internet access of your employees and also saves significant bandwidth in the company’s intranet.

WebWasher uses the latest technologies

WebWasher is implemented as a local proxy server on the Clients system. This enables several connected PCs to use it in your local network. Future versions of WebWasher will also include remote installation, remote maintenance, and a load balancing function - all functions that are extremely important in enterprise computing today.

When a Web site is accessed, WebWasher checks the speed of the different proxies available and automatically changes to the fastest. This enables Internet service providers, for example, to avoid proxy overload or failure and allows you to distribute the load in your intranet more evenly.


WebWasher shows what it does for you

The integrated statistical functions present the quantity of filtered data and log activities on your local hard disk. The efficiency of the tool in the configuration you have selected can be checked and fine-tuned at any time.

This megabyte saves you gigabytes: WebWasher overview

Product functions

•	Filters out unwanted advertising banners, pop-up windows, animated images, referrers, Javascripts, Java applets from Web pages

•	Bi-directional filtering of Cookies

•	Additional contents can be added to the filter list at any time

•	Also filters information about the user, commonly used for commercial profiling. ( i.e. Referrers)

•	Can be configured to suit individual needs

•	Cuts loading time of Web pages

•	Saves up to 45 % network bandwidth

•	Contains detailed statistics functions

•	Is extremely easy to install

•	Push button upgrade to new versions (smart update)

•	Can operate as a Client or as a proxy server in the local network that can be used by others

•	Processes automatic proxy configuration files

•	Can write a common log file

•	German or English language option


How does WebWasher work?

WebWasher links into the dataflow between browser and Internet. When the user requests a Web page then only the construction plan (HTML code) of the Web page is initially loaded. WebWasher analyzes the construction plan and filters out unwanted parts like e.g. advertisment. Then the modified construction plan is used to request the desired information of the page from the Internet only. Filtered out data is never requested or loaded via the network. The loading time of Web pages is reduced significantly. The limited bandwidth of the Internet or corporate intranet is used much more efficiently.

Usual dataflow:

Dataflow with WebWasher:


Installation

WebWasher requires less than 1 MB of harddisk space.

•	Start wash*.exe (The wildcard '*' represents the version number - for instance wash210.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 uninstall WebWasher with the uninstall icon in the WebWasher program manager group.


Configuration: Choosing the Browser

Manual 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

Hint: Besides a manual configuration there is alternatively a comfortable automatic configuration.


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 Interne'. 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 protocol 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 Proxy server mark the box Use a proxy server and 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.


Automatic Configuration

WebWasher 2.0 or higher includes a comfortable automatic configuration of browser and WebWasher. It provides all correct network settings during runtime of WebWasher. Shutting down of WebWasher resets all modifications to the previous values.

The automatic configuration supports computers that are used by several users and systems with more than one browser installed. The first start of WebWasher opens a dialogue window which allows to choose browser and user. These settings can be changed later in the menu extras, browser configuration as well.

Hint: Besides an automatic configuration there is alternatively a manual configuration possible for users who want to configure everything by themselves or for system administrators.


Filter Advertising

Many Web pages contain annoying or even offending commercials. These ads distract the 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.


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

*	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-Addresse '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'


Protection of your Privacy

If your browser requests an object like text or image from a Website it sends also a string ('Referrer') 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.


Cookie Filtering

WebWasher has a built-in filter that automatically filters bad cookies. Cookies are small local files on the computer, in which information from one contact to a Webserver to the next contact with the same Webserver is buffered. Cookies can be useful to simplify a shopping procedure, but they can also be used to spy on the end users.

The distinction between the good - and thus necessary cookies and the bad cookies that invade the privacy is carried out by WebWasher using an algorithm and the built-in filter list. The cookie filter controls the data stream between users and Web in both directions, a requirement for efficient filtering. Transmitted cookies coming in on the Webserver, in addition to those from the browser are controlled by WebWasher. Bi-directional filtering is particularly important in company networks. With WebWasher running as a proxy server, it solves the cookie problem for the whole company with one simple installation.


Access Control

You can block access to Web pages or complete Websites already defined in the exclusion list of the URL filter. Activating this option does not disable filtering of content by the means of of the built-in filter list.


System Requirements

•	Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000 or NT 4.0: Intel Pentium 90 MHz processor or better, 32 MB of main memory, 1 MB free disk space

•	Apple Macintosh: PowerMacintosh MacOS 8.1 or higher (MacOS 9 recommended), 1 MB free disk space

•	Original Netscape, Microsoft or Opera browser

•	Linux support will be added in the next release


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.

/startup

Example:	wwasher.exe /startup

Function:	starts WebWasher, this parameter does the same than a double-click on the WebWasher Icon.

/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.

Command Line Parameters for the installation file

/s

Example:	wash221.exe /s

Function:	Silent installation. Installation is done silently without showing any messages or asking any questions using the default settings.


Known Errors

Please have a look at the Web page http://www.webwasher.com/en/software/wwash/faq.htm for up-to-date information.


Questions and Answers

Help is available for these themes:

Installation & Configuration

Functions

Upgrading

Miscellaneous

Please have a look at the Web page http://www.webwasher.com/en/software/wwash/faq.htm for up-to-date information.


Install

Installation

Q:  I have installed WebWasher 2.1 with the automatic configuration and I use the Internet Explorer but I want to change my browser. Is it possible to change the Browser Configuration?

A:  Yes. You can change the browser configuration in the WebWasher menu Extras, Browser Configuration.

Q: What the heck is a 'proxy'?

A: In basic terms, '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. How does WebWasher work

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'.

Q:  Deinstallation seems to fail.

A: T-Online users: The T-Online software replaces the winsock DLL of the operating system during start up. This can lead to problems with other programs. Reboot the PC before uninstalling WebWasher. Please, do not start T-Online software before the uninstallation process has been completed.

Q:  How can I use WebWasher with T-Online

A:  You can find complete Informations at T-Online

Q:  I can’t use Netscape without WebWasher.

A:  You have installed WebWasher manually. If you want to start Netscape without WebWasher you have to delete the entry for the proxy server in the Netscape Menu Options, Settings, Network Preferences. If you install WebWasher 2.x with automatic configuration you can use Netscape without WebWasher just by deactivating the Tray-Icon of WebWasher.

Q:  Whenever I start Windows the WebWasher tray icon appears deactivated.

A:  Click the WebWasher Tray-Icon. It changes to [image].If you end WebWasher WebWasher notices whether it has been activated or not activated and starts next time in the same mode.

A:  If this procedure does not function open the file wwasher.ini with an editor and search for the two entries

ImageFilter=1

ProxyEngine=1

If any of these values is set to 0 change it.

Q:  After the Installation of WebWasher my browser starts automatically whenever I start Windows.

A:  WebWasher has been copied into your Autostart Directory. You can delete WebWasher there manually or you change the settings in the WebWasher menu Extras, Browser Configuration

Always use this settings           (no)

Start the selected browser       (yes)

Q:  WebWasher doesn’t work with my AOL-Software

A:  The browser of AOL is a manipulated ‘Internet Explorer’ and this browser in fact doesn’t work with WebWasher. To solve this problem you have to install a complete different browser e. g. Netscape Navigator or Opera.

Q:  WebWasher doesn’t work if I use Smart Surfer for Internet connections

A:  After Smart Surfer has built up a connection the standard system browser is started automatically. This prevents WebWasher from configuring your browser. We would therefore recommend that you start WebWasher first and then the Smart Surfer software – alternatively you have to reconfigure your browser with the help of WebWasher (Netscape will be reloaded; with Internet Explorer you have to choose ‘WebConn.de” as connection).

Q:  Is it possible to run Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer with WebWasher simultaneously?

F:  yes, if you have installed each browser as explained (see Instruction) you have to start WebWasher and choose in the menu Extras, Browser Configuration the browser you want to use and then click on Start the selected browser

Q:  Do I really need the minimum requirements to run WebWasher or does WebWasher also works with my 486dx4/100 PC?

A:  We grant a trouble-free usage only for the mentioned minimum requirements. WebWasher also runs on slower systems but this can cause problems but in any case you have to run Win95 or higher systems.

F:  How do I install WebWasher with StarOffice 5.2?

A:  Staroffice posseses an inbuilt browser but you can also use Internet Explorer as external browser.

Configuration of the inbuilt browser:  Set Proxy-Server to manual in the Menu Options, Internet, Proxy and insert ‘127.0.0.1’ in field 'Http Proxy' also insert ‘8080’ in field ‘port’. Start WebWasher with ‘Manual Configuration’. (Make sure that the external browser has been deactivated)

Configuration of the external browser:  Choose ’Use Internet Explorer as external browser’ in the menu options, browser, external browser.  WARNING: The Proxy-regarding settings which you have maybe added in the menu options, internet, proxy are only valid for the internal browser! If you click on Settings, the Internet Explorer Options-Window appears where you can set your Proxy as usual. OR you install Internet Explorer with the automatic configuration of WebWasher und deactivate ’Start the selected browser’ in the browser configuration menu of WebWasher then you have installed Internet Explorer for Staroffice.

Additional Help for System Administrators:

If you have Questions about the Manual Configuration


Manual Configuration faq

Questions and Answers

Manual Configuration

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.webwasher.com/en/software/wwash/test.htm. There you find up-to-date help, patches and more.

Q:  After installation I get 'WebWasher - Error 504: Gateway Time-out'

A:  Most likely your WebWasher proxy settings are not correct. Make sure that you have entered the correct proxy address and the correct port number in WebWasher. Or you might not need a proxy to connect to the Internet.

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

A:  WebWasher should run with every Internet Service Provider. Even though 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 function with a direct connection to the Internet. Configure WebWasher for a direct connection to the Internet by activating the Don't use a proxy option.

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 waits at this address and listens on port '8080' to perform all the HTTP data transfer to the Internet.

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

A: Most likely the FTP-field in the manual proxy configuration of the browser mistakenly contains '127.0.0.1' and port '8080'. This field has to remain empty if you have 'direct connection to the Internet'. If you use a proxy server to connect to the Internet,

please enter the address of your Internet Service Provider's proxy server. (Hint: Only the HTTP-field should be changed during installation.)


T-Online

Using T-Online Software

You have to change the following settings to use T-Online Software with WebWasher

Start your T-Online Software

Choose another WWW-Browser in the menu settings, Internet, standard application for Internetconnections by clicking

Edit

Now click on searching and choose wwasher.exe. (default at: C:\Program Files\WebWasher\wwasher.exe)

Click start application after login in the menu settings, Internet

Now you can connect to the Internet as usual. After login WebWasher will be started automatically. You can start an installed browser in the WebWasher menu Extras, Browser Configuration

T-Online with Internet Explorer

If you use the Internet Explorer you have to make some additional settings.

Please activate in the menu Extras, Internet Options, Extended, Browsing: ‘Open browser with an extra process’

Start T-Online with dial-up-connection

To start T-Online directly and without T-Online Software you have to start the dial-up-connection. Click on new connection.. As name write T-Online and choose your modem as device. Click on Next and insert the number 0191011 then click on next and on finish. Now you have a dial-up-connection to T-Online. After starting the connection a new window appears connect with, where you have to insert the user-name and the T-Online password. The user-name contains a 12-digits long T-Online link recognition followed by the T-Online Nr plus # and your usernumber.

e. g.:

link recognition = 000012345678

T-Online Nr. = 012345678912

#

usernumber = 0001

unsername = 000012345678012345678912#00001

the password is your personal T-Online password. After inserting your username and your password click on connect. After connection and login you should start WebWasher.


Functions

Functions:

Q:  Does WebWasher fetch advertising images and just make them invisible on the Web page?

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

Q:  I use the filters of WebWasher to remove banners on Web pages. But sometimes I would like to see the page in the original, unfiltered format. How can this be done?

A:  You can easily temporarely deactivate WebWasher and retrieve Web pages in the 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:  When I click with the right mouse button on an image the function Add to filterlist is missing.

A:  Please make sure that in the WebWasher menu Extras, Options the menu item Enhance context menu... is active for your browser.

Q:  How can I get access to Java scripts without deactivating WebWasher?

A:  You have to deactivate the two filters Popup Windows and Scripts in the settings of WebWasher

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. We respect your privacy.

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 upon 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. And 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 to position the advertising or to spy out user's surfing habits (Webbugs). 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 then activate in Proxy Engine the function Don't change user agent.

Q:  Can I hide WebWasher on my desktop

A:  Sure. In the menu Extras, under Options deactivate the entries Show splash screen while the program starts and Add small icon to explorer's tray. After that, you can close the WebWasher window. The program remains active. However if you want to change some settings again later 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.

Q:  How can I connect several PCs to a WebWasher proxy server?

A:  You just need to install WebWasher on the server. Then activate in WebWasher in Proxy Engine the entry Server. In the browser of the Clients type in the HTTP field the IP-Adressedef13 of the computer which runs the WebWasher proxy server. Enter proxy engine in the port field the number defined in WebWasher on the server under Local proxy engine port ('8080' is the default).

Q:  Where can I find and edit the filterlist of WebWasher?

A:  The filterlist and the included methods have been developed and filed for patent by WebWasher.com AG. Please understand that we won’t give you access to this list.

Q:  Is WebWasher able to filter Webbugs?

A:  Yes. If you activate the URL-Filter

F:  How do I use WebWasher as Proxy-Server?

A:  Mark Server in the Proxy-Engine setting to use WebWasher as Proxy-Server. Insert the IP-addresse of the WebWasher-PC in the browsers of the clients. You find the port you have to insert in WebWasher as local ProxyEngine Port (in most

an. Den einzutragenen Port finden Sie im WebWasher als 'lokaler Proxy Engine Port' (in the majority of cases it’s ’8080’).

F:  Since I have installed WebWasher some Webpages cannot be loaded by my browser, why?

A:  It is possible that your choosen pages contain Javascript. If you deactivate the Tray-Icon the standard-filter will be turned off, the privacy-filter will still be active. Also look


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.

Q: Can I install a newer WebWasher version  over an existing installation

A: You do not need to uninstall the old version. Simply install the new version in the existing program directory of WebWasher. The install program automatically replaces outdated files.


Miscellaneous

Q:  When will you release WebWasher for additional operating systems, e.g. Linux?

A: The porting of WebWasher to Linux is already in progress. The official release date is not known yet.

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 business users so they know the number of days they have tested WebWasher.

Q: Does a private user need a serial number in order to run the program ?

A: No. The program is full functional without registration. The serial number is only required for business users.

Q: Can I already buy stocks of webwasher.com AG ?

A: Sorry, no. But stocks of webwasher.com AG might be traded in the future.

Q: Who has founded webwasher.com AG ?

A: The company was founded by Roland Cuny, Horst Joepen, Sören Müller. Venture capital was provided by Siemens AG and Invision AG, a member of BHS Holding and related to Metro Group.

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

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

Q:  Why has the webwasher.com AG developed 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 yet, although new versions have become available in the mean time.

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

Q:  Does WebWasher run with Wingate?

A:  Yes. But you need to use port '81' instead of '8080' in the browser and WebWasher (local proxy engine port).

Q:  Can I run WebWasher as an NT Service?

A:  Yes, but not directly. You need the Microsoft NT Resource Kit with the program 'srvany'. Create a new service by running 'instsrv "WebWasher Service" c:\winnt\system32\srvany.exe'. Configure the new service by launching regedit.exe and going to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services \WebWasher Service'. Create a new key 'Parameters'. In 'Parameters' define a new string 'Application' and set it to 'c:\program files\webwasher\wwasher.exe'. In 'Parameters' define a new, second string 'AppDirectory' and set it to 'c:\program files\webwasher'. Finally, start 'WebWasher Service'.

Q:  I’ve installed WebWasher but it seems not to work with your test-page?

A:  Clear your browser-cache and it will work.


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.


Tipps & Tricks

Activating and Deactivating of WebWasher

It’s very simple to deactivate WebWasher, just click on the tray icon using the left mouse button – the [image] -Icon becomes [image]. To reactivate WebWasher just do the same again.

After deactivating WebWasher do this:

Netscape:  Simultaneously press the shift key an reload the current Webpage

Internet Explorer: Simultaneously press the control key and reload the current Webpage

With Version 2.2 the deactivation through the tray icon doesn’t deactivate WebWasher completely but the standard-filter will be turned off, the cookie filter, the webbug filter and the referrer filter stay active.


Windows-Update

If you want to update your Windows-System you have to deactivate the Pop-up-Filter because Windows produces faults by opening a pop-up window. The fasted way to do this is to deactivate the WebWasher Tray-Icon, which deactivates the standard filter which includes the Pop-up-Filter.


Expressions & Definitions

Agent, User Agent

Algorithm

Applets

Browser

Bug

Cache

Client, Client Software

Cookie

Domain

Firewall

Gateway

Frames

Host, Localhost

IP-Adresse

Java, Javascripts

LAN

Layer

Logfile

Port

Proxy, Proxy-Engine, Proxy-Server

Referrer

Server

Tray-Icon

URL

WAN


User Agent

If the browser requests an object like text or a graphic of a web page the browser sends a character string which is called User-Agent


Algorithm

Algorithms are solution methods for given problems. To make a computer understanding an algorithm you have to implement it in a programming language. The implemented algorithms are called programs


Applets

An applet is a Java program which can be loaded and executed by a browser.


Browser

A browser is a program that can receive and represent web pages. Two known browsers are the Netscape Navigator and the Microsoft Internet Explorer


Bug

A bug is an error in soft- or hardware


Cache

Requested data of the Internet are usually saved in a buffer (cache). With each further access to the web page data are loaded from the cache instead of transmitting it again. The cache of the browser accelerates the using of WWW enormously.


Client, Client-Software

Hardware: In this context a client is a computer within a network which is connected to a server. The client can use hardware resources also as software resources of the server.

Software: In this context a client is a program which is installed on your local computer and which access a distant computer the server


Cookie

A "cookie" is a mechanism developed by the Netscape Corporation to make up for the stateless nature of the HTTP

protocol. A cookie is a small piece of information, often no more than a short session identifier, that

the HTTP server sends to the browser when the browser connects for the first time.

Cookies contain attributes that tell the browser what servers to send them to.

The "Domain" attribute tells the browser which host names the cookie should be returned to

The "path" attribute indicates what URL paths within that domain are valid.

For instance, a domain of "webwasher.com" and a path of "/users" tells the browser to return the cookie to hosts with names like "ftp.webwasher.com" and "www.webwasher.com", and to do so only when requesting URLs that start with the path "/users". An important security measure prevents the cookie's domain from being set to top-level domains like ".com". This prevents someone from creating a promiscuous cookie that will be returned to any server.

Cookies cannot be used to "steal" information about you or your computer system. They can only be used to store information that you have provided at some point.


Domain

In a network all computer have to be clearly identified. This is implemented with the IP-Adresses but unfortunately the IP is a combination of four numbers separated by a dot. It is not easy to memorize such a construct therefore the IP-Address is linked whith a symbolic name e. g. "http://www.webwasher.com". This name is the domain


Firewall

A Firewall is a package of measures and techniques which help a provider or an intranet-administrator to protect their systems against hacker attacks. A proxy may be part of a firewall.


Frames

Frames can be used to create web pages. With frames you can split your window in window parts (frames) and load in each frame a html document. You can navigate separately through them but normally the frames work coordinately.


Gateway

A Gateway is a computer that interlinks networks which use different communicationsprotocols.

A Gateway transfers informations und converts them in a format which is supported by the receiving network.


Host, Localhost

A main computer is identified as a host. In a local network the main computer is identified as localhost


IP-Address

The IP-Address is the number of identify of a computer. The IP consist four numbers which are separated by a dot e. g. 139.23.37.94

Instead of using the IP in the majority of cases the Domain-name is used e. g. www.webwasher.com


Java, Javascripts

Java is a programming language used for Internet programming. Java allows to write and run programs system-overlapping(indepentent of Operating Systems like DOS/Windows, Apple- or Unix- OS)

A java applet is a short java-program on a HTML-page, which can be interpreted by a browser.

JavaScript is a HTML-based script language. With the exception of the name there are no communities to java.


LAN

Local Area Network


Layer

A Layer is a HTML-Tag in which you can load dynamically graphics and documents. The handling of layer is different between Explorer and Netscape.


Logfile

All interactions of a user will be saved in a logfile.


Port

A Port is an in- and output channel of a network computer on which TCP/IP is running. In the WWW a port number usually names the number of the server. The port number identifies the target (application program) of incoming data and send these data to it within a network.


Proxy , Proxy-Engine, Proxy-Server

A proxy is an enormous data buffer which works in principle as your Cache of your browser. Your Internet provider uses the proxy on his server all request results of his users will be buffered there. WebWasher is a local Proxy-Server which is implemented on a Client.


Referrer

A referrer is a string which contains the URL of the last visited Webpage. Your browser create this referrer on the one hand to be able to jump back to the last Webpage and on the other hand to enable Webmaster to determine from which pages on their pages one branches


Server

A Server is the counterpart to the Client

Hardware:  In this context the server is the name of a computer which is connected to a network and which provides services to other computer this can be as well software resources as hardware resources.

Software:  In this context the server is a program which is installed on a remote computer on which the clients can get access.


Tray-Icon


URL

The term URL is a shortcut for uniform resource locator

The URL of an Internet-Address contains three components:

The identifier of the protocol to use e. g "http://" or "ftp://"

The identifier of the Domain

The complete path und filename of the document

e. g. "http://www.webwasher.com/en/software/wwash/dontact.htm"


WAN

WAN (Wide Area Network) In difference to the LAN a WAN connects computer which location are geographic faraway. The internet includes LAN-computer as well as WAN-computer


Version 2.2

Version 2.x

This version has a new graphical user interface which is more intuitive to use, flexible to future functional enhancements and independent of the operating system. WebWasher for Windows, Macintosh - and in future Linux - share all the same front end.

WebWasher 2.0 includes successful filter algorithms and functions which have been filed for patent. In addition WebWasher 2.0 also filters outgoing data to protect user's privacy. Besides filtering of data WebWasher 2.0 includes mechanisms for blocking access to Web pages or Websites.

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.

With Version 2.2 a new Filter has been added, the Webbug-Filter, you can find it under Privacy in the settings menu. If you deactivate WebWasher by leftclicking on the Tray-Icon only the Standard Filter will be turned off. The Privacy Filter will be still active and the protection of your privacy will be granted.


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.

feedback@webwasher.com


How to buy

How to buy and to obtain a licence

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.webwasher.com/en/software/wwash

For orders of more than 1000 licenses please contact us

Europe:	webwasher.com AG
Vattmannstraße 3

D-33100 Paderborn

Germany

Phone.:	+49 (0) 52 51 / 5 00 54 -0

Fax.:	+49 (0) 52 51 / 5 00 54 -11

Email:	info@webwasher.com

North-America:	Email:	info-usa@webwasher.com


About webwasher.com AG

The webwasher.com AG (public limited company) - was founded in October 6th 1999 to make the private and commercial use of the Internet easier and more efficient. Based in Paderborn, Germany, the company is currently involved in the further development and marketing of WebWasher, the successful Internet filter. The prime objective of webwasher.com AG is to become a market leader of Internet filters and assistants worldwide.

Since its market launch, the WebWasher - originally developed at Siemens - has found worldwide resonance and is now used by more than two million people as an efficient and user-friendly filter and assistant for the Internet. WebWasher works by blocking unwanted information - such as advertising banners or animated graphics - that would otherwise be downloaded from the Internet. Installed as an add-on to the browser; WebWasher identifies unwanted contents by their characteristic features before it is downloaded and automatically filters out the unwanted contents. Up to 45 percent of the data can be filtered out in this way.

In the future webwasher.com AG will develop its current product as an intelligent 'Internet assistant' that recognizes the personal needs of the user, and which allows only the explicitly chosen contents to pass through. The WebWasher, that is free of charge for noncommercial users (home users) brings additional benefit for commercial users and in enterprise computing. When used in large companies and public institutions, WebWasher leads to increased efficiency and higher savings.

webwasher.com AG is a spin-off from Siemens Information and Communication Products (ICP). The investors in the company are the Munich-based Siemens subsidiary - Siemens Venture Capital(SVC) Gmbh and Invision AG of Baar/Switzerland, a member of BHS Holding GmbH which is related to Metro Group. The founding joint partners of the business are Roland Cuny, Horst Joepen and Sören Müller. SVC and Invision each hold 32,5 percent, the Siemens ICP Group holds 23 percent, with the remaining partners holding 12 percent between them. At the moment webwasher.com AG employs 16 people and the original share capital stands at 100,000 Euro. Information regarding the company can be found on its Website under: www.webwasher.com.

Europe:	webwasher.com AG
(main office)	Vattmannstraße 3

D-33100 Paderborn

Deutschland

Tel.:	+49 (0) 52 51 / 5 00 54 -0

Fax.:	+49 (0) 52 51 / 5 00 54 -11

Email:	info@webwasher.com

North-America:	webwasher.com
116 West 23rd St., Suite 500
New York, NY 10011
U.S.A.

Tel.:	+01-800-305-4986

Fax.:	+01-212-967-8353

Email:	info-usa@webwasher.com


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.webwasher.com/en/software/wwash/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.


Hide tray icon

Shows a tray-Icon [image]. If you turn it off and you want to change later WebWasher settings, you need to restart WebWasher.


Disable warning on exit

If you close WebWasher a message appears 'If you shut down WebWasher you have to change your browser’s proxy settings to continue surfing'.


Don't animate tray icon

The WebWasher tray-Icon [image] turns into dark blue while there are open connections to the Internet. This is useful to monitor the activities of your browser.


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 then activate in Proxy Engine the function Don't change user agent


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.


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.


Log accesses
Accesses via WebWasher can be logged. The data are stored in common logfile format locally in a file access.log in the WebWasher program directory. This function is typically used by system administrators that run WebWasher as a server.


Don't log own accesses
Own accesses are not logged. This function is typically of value for system administrators that run WebWasher as a server and do not want to affect the log file by own accesses.


Use reverse name lookup
WebWasher can use reverse name lookup for writing the log file. Then symbolic names like 'www.siemens.com' are written instead of IP-Adresses (e.g. '139.23.37.29').


Begin context sensitive help (new 2.0)


Activates and stores the configuration settings.


Dismisses all changes in this window.


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

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


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 instead of a blocked page.


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.


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


Show only the first image of the sequence of an animated image. This option accelerates loading of a Web page 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.


Specifies the maximum number of sequences of image animation.


Lists all browsers and their users on your system.

The configuration of WebWasher and browser can be done in a full automatic mode. Therefore it is possible to easily surf with or without WebWasher, without the need to do any settings within the browser by hand. Please select a browser that will be used for starting WebWasher. If your PC is used by several people, please choose the user, too.

If you prefer to configure WebWasher and browser by yourself, please select Manual Configuration.


The selected browser and user is used by default for each start of WebWasher without asking again. This option is useful if you do not use different browsers or your computer is not used by several users.


WebWasher automatically starts the selected browser for the chosen user.


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 entering the serial number of your license please press this button.


Here enter the serial number.


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.


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.


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


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 Web addresses (URL) and/or domains (e.g. 'siemens.com') for which the additional proxy server is used. Several addresses are separated by commas. Wildcards can be used (e.g. 'siemens.*').


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.


Specifies the type of proxy server.


Activates filtering of Java applets.


Removes a user-defined characteristic dimension.


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


Activates filtering of images.


Deactivates the selected entries for filtering.


Adds a characteristic image dimension which has to be filtered.


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.


Activates filtering of plugins.


Allows filtering by dimensions of images which are located on the same path or domain of the current Web page. In seldom cases beneficial information, e.g. a navigational object, of a Web page is also filtered.


Resets the list of characteristic image dimensions to default values.


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.


Alternatively you can write and send your comments with your own mail program. Click on the email address feedback@webwasher.com.


Clears the feedback form.


This field displays hints for filling out the form and information if the mail was successfully sent.


Sends your comment via email to the WebWasher team.


Displays if WebWasher is registered and who has registered it.


If you close WebWasher a message appears If you shut down WebWasher you have to change your browser’s proxy settings to continue surfing.


Enables Internet Explorer users to 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.


Enables Netscape users to 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.


Shows a splash screen with the 'WebWasher logo' and the version number during the start of the program.


Shows a tray icon [image]. If you turn it off and you want to change later WebWasher settings, you need to restart WebWasher.


Enables that the WebWasher tray icon [image] turns into dark blue while there are open connections to the Internet. This is useful to monitor the activities of your browser.


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


Deactivates minimization of filtered frames. Check this if you want to keep the original format of the Web page.


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.


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.


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 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.


This window allows to activate or deactivate functional modules of WebWasher. Clicking on a functional module allows to change its settings in the right window.

Proxy Engine

Standard Filter

Dimension Filter:	This setting activates the filterlist for graphics.

You can add additional dimension filter to the filterlist.

URL Filter:	This setting activates the URL filterlist.

Webbugs will also be filtered if you activate the URL filter.

Popup Windows:	This setting activates the Popup-Window filter.

Script:	This setting activates the script filter which filters all kinds of scripts.

Animations:	This setting activates the animation filter. Animations either are filtered

completely or they are restricted in their execution.

Options	Additional settings which enable you to keep the structure of the Web page.

Privacy

Cookie Filter:	This setting activates the Cookie filter.

You can define additional Cookie filter.

Access Control

If you have activated the URL Filter you can block filtered

Web pages and redirect your browser to a page of your choice.


This window allows to change the settings of functional modules of WebWasher.


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 then activate this option.


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


Activates logging of accesses via WebWasher. The data are stored in common logfile format locally in a file access.log in the WebWasher program directory. This function is typically used by system administrators that run WebWasher as a server.


Uses reverse name lookup for writing the log file.


Own accesses are not logged. This function is typically of value for system administrators that run WebWasher as a server and do not want to affect the log file by own accesses.


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. 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.


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


Resets the log file. You need to confirm that you really want to reset the log file.


Shows the log file.


If your browser requests an object like text or image from a Website it sends also a string ('Referrer') 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.


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


Removes the 'Referrer' if you came from a different Website. Still sends the 'Referrer' 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 'Referrer' to work properly.


Removes the 'Referrer' if you came from a different path or URL. Still sends the 'Referrer' 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 'Referrer' to work properly.


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


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 all scripts automatically started if a Web page is closed.


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


The number of kilobytes received by your browser directly.


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


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


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.


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


The number of removed frames 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 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 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 JavaScripts 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 pop-up windows since the start of the statistics.


The number of images received and displayed on your browser.


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


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


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


Removes the selected entries from the filter list.


Prevents Web pages or -objects of being filtered if they are in accordance with the selected entries of the filterlist.


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


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.


Activates filtering of forms.


Activates filtering of frames.


Activates filtering of images.


Disables filtering by selected entries in the filter list.


Activates filtering of layers.


Adds the entered URL or partial URL to the filter list.


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


Activates filtering of Javascripts.


Activates filtering of shockwave and flash objects.


Activates filtering of text links.


Activates filtering of pop-up windows.


Accepts your commands and closes the window.


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 possible to connect systems with other operating systems (e.g. UNIX workstations) to the WebWasher server, too.


Shows the WebWasher Wave in the background of the user interface.


Switches the background of the user interface to plain white. This option is helpful to improve the readability on a TFT monitor or on a monitor with a low number of colors.


Adjusts the background color of the user interface to the system settings. This option is helpful if the background of the user interface of WebWasher should look like other common programs.


When accessing a Web page the WebWasher SECLUDE-IT function stops unimportant data being loaded. It enables you to select the advertising and content you wish to see and download from the Web without revealing your preferences to marketers. WebWasher ensures that personal profile information is never leaked over the Internet. Your privacy is never compromised since personal preferences are stored locally on your computer and are used only to regulate the WebWasher filter.


Please mark the topics that are of interest to you. In addition to filtering out annoying and unwanted advertisements, WebWasher also eliminates undesirable content from the Web page. The information (including advertising) that is of particular interest to you will be displayed unmodified. SECLUDE-IT works on all Web pages by which it is supported.

If you do not want any advertisements to be displayed, please click the selective advertising option listed below.

NOTE: Your interest profile is kept locally only on your system and will not be transmitted over the Internet. It is used only to regulate the WebWasher filter.


Please select the sub-topics which are of interest to you by marking the appropriate boxes.


Activates filtering of information in languages that you do not understand or you do not want. SECLUDE-IT works on those Web pages by which it is supported.


Please select the preferred language in  which you want to work - typically your native language. If you want to see information in any language please select no preference.


Allows you to select another language in which you want to work. If you do not wish to see information in a second language click no other.


Activates filtering of information from countries or regions that you do not want. For example this allows you to limit information to your local region. SECLUDE-IT works on those Web pages by which it is supported.


Please select a country or region from which you want to get data - e.g. your home region. If you want to see information from any location please select no preferences


Allows to select another country or region from which you want to retrieve information. If you do not wish to see information from a second country or region click no other.


Allows to deactivate selective advertising. Advertising that meets your profile will then also be filtered out.


WebWasher has a built-in filter that automatically filters bad cookies. If you want to customize cookie filtering, simply enter the domains of your choice (by clicking on "new") and set a rating for the cookies of this site. Good cookies can pass, bad cookies are filtered out and unknown cookies (marked with '?') will vanish after a user defined lifespan. The settings can later be edited if needed.

Cookies are small local files on the computer, in which information from one contact to a Webserver to the next contact with the same Webserver is buffered. Cookies can be useful to simplify a shopping procedure, but they can also be used to spy on the end users.

The distinction between the good - and thus necessary cookies and the bad cookies that invade the privacy is carried out by WebWasher using an algorithm and the built-in filter list. The cookie filter controls the data stream between users and Web in both directions, a requirement for efficient filtering. Transmitted cookies coming in on the Webserver, in addition to those from the browser are controlled by WebWasher. Bi-directional filtering is particularly important in company networks. With WebWasher running as a proxy server, it solves the cookie problem for the whole company with one simple installation.


Adds a new cookie rating for a domain or a host.


Deletes an existing cookie rating for a domain or host.


Activates or deactivates the built-in filter list for cookie filtering.

Deactivating the built-in filter list severely impairs cookie filtering efficiency. Normally this need not to be checked. This option is useful for people who want to define and rate all domains by themselves.


Sets the lifespan of neutral cookies. Typically you choose a period of time which is in the range of the time spend for one visit of a Website.


Sets the lifespan of neutral cookies. With this setting the popular browsers discard a cookie after a browsing session is finished. But this behaviour can’t be guaranteed for every browser.


The number of blocked or neutralized cookies. Blocked cookies are filtered out. Neutralized cookies get a user-defined lifespan after which they will disappear.


The number of good cookies that are allowed to enter your browser. Good cookies can pass unhindered.


The number of cookies that are allowed to leave your browser. Good and neutral cookies can pass unhindered.


Allows to select the type of information.


Allows to select the theme of the information.


Allows to select the location of the information.


Allows to select the language of the information.


Adds a new theme to your profile.


Deletes an existing theme from your profile.


Displays and allows to modify all chosen themes. Information that meets themes marked with the hide option will not be displayed. Information about themes marked with 'color' will be displayed highlighted. Use this option for important themes.


Allows to inverse the SECLUDE-IT functionality. Then generally all themes will be displayed. Chosen themes will not be displayed. Use this function if you want to filter out a few special themes, e.g. adult themes, only.