MVPS Hosts File

[rv56]

MVPS Hosts File

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

What it does ...

The Hosts file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. This file is loaded into memory (cache) at startup, then Windows checks the Hosts file before it queries any DNS servers, which enables it to override addresses in the DNS. This prevents access to the listed sites by redirecting any connection attempts back to the local (your) machine. Another feature of the HOSTS file is its ability to block other applications from connecting to the Internet, providing the entry exists.

You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the connection(s) that supplies these little gems.

Example - the following entry 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net blocks all files supplied by that DoubleClick Server to the web page you are viewing. This also prevents the server from tracking your movements. Why? ... because in certain cases "Ad Servers" like Doubleclick (and many others) will try to open a separate connection on the webpage you are viewing.

For XP SP2 users you should see a Security Center prompt about allowing this connection. [screenshot]

Simply click No and continue. Yes the prompts can be annoying but at least you'll know, however you should not see these prompts if these entries are included in the HOSTS file.

Note: this prompt only occurs if (example) *.doubleclick.net is included in the "Restricted Zone".

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

[rv56]

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [July-15-2010]

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Download: hosts.zip (147 kb)

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip

How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts2.htm

HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsfaq.htm

Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt (596 kb)

Note from Mike: "Folks ... I've been swamped latey with thousands of submission to add to the HOSTS file ... thus the lack of recent blog posts. While I welcome all these new submissions, I would ask that when possible please add the URL (web site) where the suggested entry can be found. Since I verify each entry by hand ... I need to make sure that an entry does not break the page, or some other undesired effect."