Can't protect Hosts file

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shel
  • Start date Start date
S

Shel

Have Microsooft Anti Spyware on 2 computers. Have deleted
all kinds of crap from one hosts file through manual
editing ... the software confirms it, and on reboot the
file stays clean.

However not so on the other computer, even if I manually
clean the hosts file.

I have about 200 illegal host entries, but Microsoft only
allows you to block each one by one; not any range at once.
A pain. Any help on this? Thanks!
 
Hi Shel - Are you running a firewall? Zone Alarm? If so, use the "Lock
host file" function in Firewall|Advanced.

Otherwise you might want to take a look here for some good info about HOSTS
file use: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm This site also has
downloads for some utility programs which you will find useful if you use a
HOSTS file such as RenHosts.bat,
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/RenHosts.bat, and lockhosts.bat and
unlockhosts.bat, http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/lockhost.bat, and
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unlockhost.bat. The lock and unlock files
can be used to protect the HOSTS file in between UPDATES so that it doesn't
get hijacked by malware, while the rename hosts program will allow you to
easily enable or disable the HOSTS file (while keeping the correct naming
convention of all caps, no extension).

FWIW, the Zone Alarm locking function uses a different mechanism which will
provide better protection than just setting the HOSTS file to Read Only.
 
Back
Top