js detects parasites, can it detect adblockers?

[Debs]

At doxdesk.com js is used to detect parasites on visitors computers, and help instruct them to remove it.

Question #1 is ... can js be used to detect visitors who use adblocker software

Question #2 is ... can js be used to detect visitors who use certain firewalls (I am thinking like Norton's since it shows the ads but blocks the ability of the user to click the link)

Question #3 is ... what would be the key points of developing a js to detect the above if it is possible?

thanks for any help.
Debs

[Dudsmack]

As you'll look through doxdesk.com the parasite it detects are objects that get embeded into the web browser...doxdesk.com uses javascript to detected an object inside the web browser...it does not scan the computer for a program.

No, you cannot if an ad blocker is running...that is a seperate process (apart from the web browser) that will close any windows that have not been manually opened by the user. Likewise you cannot detect if a firewall application is running. If you can run ASP on both the client/server end AND you have a running webserver on the ports you want to detect are open you could theoritically determine if a firewall/NAT is blocking specified ports...but this would require a LOT of server resources and would be VERY impracticle...but from your post I'm guessing all you want it ads and you don't care about ports.

Also, theortically speaking you could use JavaScript, attempt to pop open a window and be able to tell if the window gets closed automatically...you could then modify your page so that it informs the user they must have pop ups if they want to browse your site...but that would tick off many surfers and I wouldn't advise it.

[Debs]

Actually I don't want to use popups, I hate them and wouldn't foist them on my visitors.

The problem I am trying to resolve is the new software coming out that has adblocking features, particularly ones like Norton's firewall. They come with default of adblocking on, and while my visitors may see my ads they can't click them because of this.

I have a problem with software that takes the choice away from the viewer without their realizing it. I wanted to detect the use of the software, then inform them of the choice they have.

Thanks for the feedback ... it was definitately what I was looking for.