HOST file - If you aren't familiar with it .. Read this..

  • Thread starter Thread starter JR
  • Start date Start date
J

JR

Good morning,

If you aren't familiar with the HOST file and what it does, go to

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm and read about it...

I've used the HOST file (update it regularly) and it has helped
keep the 'bad guys' away.. It is free and eliminates access to many
sites that harbor dialers, parasites, worms, porn sites and even stops
a lot of advertising..

This site updates the HOST file regularly and gives you simple
instructions on how to save it and install it..

JR
 
I've used a HOSTS file for years and the referenced HOSTS file for about
6 months with great success - I add my own stuff to it each time the
site provides an update. Note the spelling of HOSTS; Windows won't do
anything with a 'HOST' file.
Good morning,

If you aren't familiar with the HOST file and what it does, go to

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm and read about it...

I've used the HOST file (update it regularly) and it has helped
keep the 'bad guys' away.. It is free and eliminates access to many
sites that harbor dialers, parasites, worms, porn sites and even stops
a lot of advertising..

This site updates the HOST file regularly and gives you simple
instructions on how to save it and install it..

JR
Click to expand...

--
--
Leo Feret - "I'm not always at the keyboard;
·|Ô¿Ô¬|· sometimes I use the trackball."
____________________________________________
"The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare
up the steps - We must step up the stairs.
- Vance Havner
 
I downloaded the most recent Hosts file from the site you
indicated. Since then most advertisements in IE no longer
appear; instead there is a message "page cannot be
accessed". Is that normal and, if not, how does one fix it?

Thanks for your help.

CE
 
CE said:
I downloaded the most recent Hosts file from the site you
indicated. Since then most advertisements in IE no longer
appear; instead there is a message "page cannot be
accessed".
Click to expand...

I thought that was the whole point of that HOSTS file, to disable
advertising.
 
Robin,

Blocking the ad's is great but the message which appears
in IE (not in Mozilla) is annoying. Do you use a Hosts
file on your PC?

CE
-----Original Message-----
CE said:
I downloaded the most recent Hosts file from the site you
indicated. Since then most advertisements in IE no longer
appear; instead there is a message "page cannot be
accessed".
Click to expand...

I thought that was the whole point of that HOSTS file, to disable
advertising.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
(e-mail address removed)


.
Click to expand...
 
If you use FireFox and its AdBlock extension, you won't have this problem.
You can selectively block anything, e.g. doubleclick.*, xyz.gif, etc.

FireFox's FlashBlock vaporizes all Flash.

I can see no reason to use IE6 except when a MSFT site requires it. (And I
certainly don't *ever* mess with the HOSTS file. But that's just me.)

--
Walterius

CE said:
Robin,

Blocking the ad's is great but the message which appears
in IE (not in Mozilla) is annoying. Do you use a Hosts
file on your PC?

CE
-----Original Message-----
CE said:
I downloaded the most recent Hosts file from the site you
indicated. Since then most advertisements in IE no longer
appear; instead there is a message "page cannot be
accessed".
Click to expand...

I thought that was the whole point of that HOSTS file, to disable
advertising.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
(e-mail address removed)


.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
CE said:
I downloaded the most recent Hosts file from the site you
indicated. Since then most advertisements in IE no longer
appear; instead there is a message "page cannot be
accessed". Is that normal and, if not, how does one fix it?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's normal and yep, I use the same hosts file.

Bob Vanderveen
 
I downloaded the most recent Hosts file from the site you
indicated. Since then most advertisements in IE no longer
appear; instead there is a message "page cannot be
accessed". Is that normal and, if not, how does one fix it?

Thanks for your help.

CE
Click to expand...


Yes, it is normal. The purpose of having advertisement sites' addresses in
the HOSTS file is to redirect them to probably non-existing local web page
(under IP localhost address 127.0.0.1) instead to their proper Internet
address (probably, because if your computer is running a web site with
default settings, then this local page will be displayed instead of
advertisement).
 
JR said:
Good morning,

If you aren't familiar with the HOST file and what it does, go to

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm and read about it...

I've used the HOST file (update it regularly) and it has helped
keep the 'bad guys' away.. It is free and eliminates access to many
sites that harbor dialers, parasites, worms, porn sites and even stops
a lot of advertising..

This site updates the HOST file regularly and gives you simple
instructions on how to save it and install it..

JR
Click to expand...

The positive feedback is appreciated!

Leo is correct in saying "HOSTS" file.
The FAQ is here:
<http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsfaq.htm>

I use *this* HOSTS file and highly recommend it.

Silj

--
siljaline

MS - MVP Windows (IE/OE) & Security, AH-VSOP
_________________________________________
Security Tools Updates
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=31

(Reply to group, as return address
is invalid - that we may all benefit)
 
Back
Top