Netscape and the SuperDiscs

Warning: The procedures described here present a potential security hazard. Neither PC Format nor Netscape recommend using them, and can offer no support if things go wrong.

It has long bothered both us at PC Format and many of our readers that they couldn't browse the SuperDiscs using Netscape. The reason was simple: Netscape doesn't give the user the choice to Open a file from its current location. Most programs come in many different bits; if the setup program is saved to your hard drive, it will not be able to find all the .cabs, .dlls and other files it needs to complete the installation. Since Netscape will only allow the user to save the setup program to their hard drive, it can't be used to install software from our discs. Unless...

By editing your Netscape preferences in the right way, it is possible to get Netscape to pop up that essential Open/Save dialog box. But we consider these changes a security hazard when using Netscape on the Internet. After you have made the changes, all it will take to run a potentially dangerous file from an untrustworthy Internet site is a single tap of the enter key or click of the mouse!

If you are determined to proceed, read this entire document. You will not be able to use this disc with Netscape until you get to the bottom! And please be aware that neither PC Format nor Netscape recommend using them, can guarantee that it will work, or can offer no support if things go wrong. Thanks to reader Michael Leadley for first drawing this undocumented feature to our attention.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Once you have made these changes to Netscape preferences, it is possible to run programs harmful to your system from the internet. Please remember these "Don'ts":

Do not run programs from internet sites you do not trust. Unless the file is from a site you absolutely trust (such as our discs!), download it before running it.

Never uncheck the 'Always ask before opening this type of file' checkbox in the Open/Save dialog box. The security warning is there for a very good reason - if you uncheck it you will not be asked what to do with potentially harmful programs you encounter on the internet. They will just run on your computer.

Never delete the file type 'Application' in Netscape Preferences. Doing so could cause your system to stop running programs altogether. Follow the procedure here to disable the changes.

To Enable the Open/Save dialog box in Netscape:

  1. Select Edit --> Preferences, then choose Applications in the tree to the left
  2. You will see a list of file types. Note: these associations are the same as the one's available to Windows. Deleting an association here will stop that file type being opened with the specified application across your entire system. Use caution!
  3. Click the New Type button.

You will be presented with a dialog box like the one to the right. Enter the following values:

Description of type: Application
File extension: exe
MIME type: application/x-msdownload
'Application to use' should fill itself in automatically. Now click OK.

To Disable the Open/Save dialog box in Netscape:

  1. Select Edit --> Preferences, then choose Applications in the tree to the left
  2. You will see a list of file types. Note: never delete the file type Application you have created. Doing so will stop any program from running on your system!
  3. Click the Edit Type button.

You will be presented with a dialog box like the one to the right. Click the 'Save to Disk' radio button, then click OK.

Security Hazard Warning Using Netscape with the Open/Save dialog enabled

At the bottom of this document is a button to stop the alerts appearing when you try to install software with Netscape. The alerts are controlled by cookies - you must have your browser set to accept cookies, or else you will not be able to stop the alerts appearing. Once you have clicked the button, you will be taken to the main interface.

From then on, when you click on a link to an executable file, such as a setup program on our CDs or on the internet, a dialog box titled 'Security Warning' will open.

This dialog box gives you the choice of Opening the file or saving it to disk. If it is an installer from our CDs, choose 'Open'. If it is a file from the internet, choose Save unless you are absolutely sure you trust the site.

NEVER uncheck the 'Always ask before opening this type of file' checkbox. The security warning is there for a very good reason.

Security

Running programs directly from the internet is a potential security hazard. The default in the Open/Save dialog box enabled these changes is 'Open', meaning you will have to be careful when browsing sites outside the CD.

Click the button below to disable the Netscape install alerts. Your browser must be set to accept cookies for this to work.