i got a message that my host file was messed up and need
to down load a new host file
c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts
that file is corrupt can't get past it when doing any
searches on internet.
NEED A NEW FILE
From where or whom did you get that message? Is there a reason to
believe them? Have you ever had anything to do with the hosts file?
It is not normal to download the hosts file from anywhere.
Are you sure this was not a nefarious attempt to take over your machine?
The hosts file is very important. It's purpose is to translate host
names to host IP addresses for your browser (and other internet
applications) to reach computers. If the host name is not in HOSTS,
then your computer uses what is called DNS which is a service provided
by your Internet Service provider. Thus it's ok if it is empty or does
not exist.
A "bad" guy can tell you to "please use this HOST file because the one
you have is corrupted". The new host file they give you could give you
"counterfeit" addresses. For example, the real address is for
www.yahoo.com is 216.209.118.66. the bad guy could replace in your
HOSTS file another address for
www.yahoo.com, say 123.456.789.012 which
is a server they control and they can make "look" like yahoo. From
there they got you.
I'm not saying that this is happening here, but I do wonder why any
message would ask you to download a new one file.
