Host Files

[Tomo172]

I just recently been using the host file for an extra layer of protection and what it does is blocks ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers and some block malware before your even able to access the website.

Some premade ones can be found here:

MVPS: http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
HP: http://www.hosts-file.net/
HostFile: http://hostsfile.mine.nu/

There are tools to Modify host files like:

HostsXpert: http://funkytoad.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=13
Host Man: http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman

Warning: Some Legits Websites Can Be Blocked By The 3 Premade Ones Above
But you can always restore the Default one easily.

More Info On The Host File Can Be Found Here: http://accs-net.com/hosts/what_is_hosts.html

[Tomo172]

Great information!

The major flaw is that it's hard for the list to keep up with the latest threats. Also, sometimes websites won't display correctly, as you said.

[imsoadude]

I found the HP Hosts list blocked websites like megaupload and mediafire, and also giveawayoftheday so I decided that one wouldn't work for me, but yea, they can be out of date but the 3rd host file I labelled is updated more frequent than other host files I listed

[googoo1876]

I would use these, but like Tomo said you can't really keep it updated.

[imsoadude]

Yea, with hostxpert they have a mvps and hp host update function but not the third one which is updated a lot more often than the other 2

[imsoadude]

Also I found a MalwareDomainList Host File http://www.malwaredomainlist.com/hostslist/hosts.txt last updated today so i think its updated often

[sdalgl72]

Another point is having a big host file can some times slow down browsing

[imsoadude]

After it gets to a certain size you have to turn off the dns client service or else it will cause a few problems, like for me windows wouldnt boot up and internet wouldnt work, but i have it small enough that the dns client is still enabled and everything works ok, and i havent noticed any slow down in my browser at all

[ZOU]

Spybot S+D helps with this. Go to Tools/Host File and click at the top left to implement Spybot S+D's host list.

[imsoadude]

Do they have a big list too, do you know how many lines is in it?