BlockIt : Opera alternative for NoScript

[Anupam]

A userscript is available for Opera, as an alternative to NoScript, which is available for Firefox.

Userscripts are external scripts that can be installed on the browser.

Details about BlockIt, download link, and a link on how to install userscripts, here :

http://www.ghacks.net/2010/02/02/ope...ative-blockit/

[Sope]

Very interesting, thanks for pointing it out!

Initially seems to work as advertised. I'll update you if I get any problems.

I'm unsure whether this also protects against XSS as effectively as NoScript, my guess is that it does, but maybe someone else can comment on this?

Also, it saves settings as cookies so I guess you need to remember this if you clear them routinely.

[Anupam]

Yes, it looks interesting. I haven't used it, so cannot say much about it. Posted it for the benefit of others who use Opera. I might try it though.

Stores settings in cookies? That's strange. Not a good way to store settings. I do clean cookies regularly.

When Opera can be used with all sites I might be tempted to take a look. As I understand it that still isn't the case. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Anupam]

You are right. That's one of the reasons why I do not use Opera.

[Sope]

Originally Posted by Anupam

Stores settings in cookies? That's strange. Not a good way to store settings. I do clean cookies regularly.

Yes, does seem strange. I tend to clear cookies using CCleaner so I suppose I could configure it to preserve the relevant cookies, but it does add complication to the whole thing. The developer of the script also has an Opera Unite service which avoids this use of cookies but seems more complicated and less convenient to me! The user js itself does seem to work well though.

Originally Posted by rikmayell

When Opera can be used with all sites I might be tempted to take a look. As I understand it that still isn't the case. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't find Opera too bad in this regard, I only rarely have to open pages in other browsers and it's usually never enough to bother me, but you are right, it still happens occasionally. Of course this depends very much on which particular sites you use frequently or that are important to you. Only way to know is to try it and see I guess.

[softw1nd]

well I have been using Opera for years and by far I have not experienced malware & viral attacks at all. userscript is surely a unique way to treat cookies but by far very effective for me.

fyi, i have been using Opera for all sites, except those browser-specifics. it's speed is way too much compared to other browsers. hahaha!!! i know, you firefox users might contradict me but guys it is basically the main reason why i love Opera

[sa1]

If you don't want Blockit storing files in cookies you can try the Unite App which stores it on hard-drive.
http://unite.opera.com/application/641/
However HTML5 local storage has been added in 10.50 and cookie storage may soon be a thing of the past.
Edit: It does not have any kind of XSS protection. And javascript is only prevented from running not from being downloaded.

[Sope]

Originally Posted by sa1

If you don't want Blockit storing files in cookies you can try the Unite App which stores it on hard-drive.
http://unite.opera.com/application/641/
However HTML5 local storage has been added in 10.50 and cookie storage may soon be a thing of the past.
Edit: It does not have any kind of XSS protection. And javascript is only prevented from running not from being downloaded.

I actually stopped using it after a short trial. Like NoScript, it prevents large amounts of useful webpage content from opening, but isn't as easy to configure to allow specific elements IMO. May just as well use the inbuilt functions of Opera for this purpose, especially as it doesn't protect against XSS in any case.

[sa1]

Originally Posted by Sope

I actually stopped using it after a short trial. Like NoScript, it prevents large amounts of useful webpage content from opening, but isn't as easy to configure to allow specific elements IMO. May just as well use the inbuilt functions of Opera for this purpose, especially as it doesn't protect against XSS in any case.

Even I feel such solutions are only for the paranoid. I've never had a security issue even with these kind of tools disabled. They don't let you have a feel of the real web. And there's no security risk that running your browser sandboxed should not prevent, which is much more convenient.