44 replies to this topic

[chimpy]

How can I find it on my computer? And if it is readme only how can I change it to add sites to it?

Thanks

[exile360]

It's located in

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

and the file is called HOSTS. To add sites double click the HOSTS file and Windows will ask what program you'd like to open the file with, select Notepad (not Wordpad). Then simply duplicate the formatting in the HOSTS file for other blocked entries, usually something like this:

127.0.0.1  www.somebadsite.com

[AdvancedSetup]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034
http://code.msdn.mic...t.com/hostsfile

[exile360]

Ooh, a new toy, cool . Thanks for posting that.

[chimpy]

Thanks for that!

[YoKenny1]

I like HostsMan and its browser speedup proxy HostsServer:
http://www.abelhadigital.com <== I use 3.2.70 Beta6 without a problem

I don't use Spybot S&D's HOSTS file but hpHosts and MVPS HOSTS files are adequate for me.

[chimpy]

For some reason even in admin it wont let me add or change the file, its read me only!
And going through notepad to search for it doesnt bring the file up only when i use "run", Any clues?

[YoKenny1]

What operating system are you using and other security applications are you running?

I seem to remember that ZoneAlarm protects the HOSTS file.

[chimpy]

Vista home basic 32 bit
avg 8.5
microsofts own firewall
windows defender
superantispyware
adaware

thanks

[exile360]

It's read only because it's Vista. To get around this right-click on the HOSTS file and select Copy then right click on your desktop background and select Paste. Edit the copy of the file on your desktop then drag and drop it to the folder that contains the original and when it asks if you want the replace the existing file, click Yes. Then click Continue at the UAC prompt.

[chimpy]

Its wont let me save the copy on my desktop either still read me.

[exile360]

Ok, then what you can do is right click on the file and select Properties and uncheck the box next to Read Only and click Apply. You'll still nead to copy it though as that folder is also protected from being written to, along with any files in it.

[chimpy]

Some one told me that spybots hosts are read me only as its is not meant to be edited, does that mean that I should just leave it alone incase I break it?

[exile360]

You won't break it . But yes, Spybot does change the HOSTS file's properties to Read Only, this is to prevent malware from changing it and possibly using it to block good websites (such as Malwarebytes.org) but you can change the file as I suggested then after copying it back to the directory change its properties to Read Only again when you are done, but it's entirely up to you.

[melboy]

As YoKenny has said, a hosts file manager can help.

I also use HostsMan. Others are:

HostsXpert & Bluetack's host file manager

More info on Hosts files here

[chimpy]

I tried it by changing the read me bit but still it wouldnt let me!
I think I will give up and just download spyware blaster, if it doesnt conflict?

[exile360]

Nope, no conflicts with Spywareblaster (I use them together myself).

[chimpy]

I installed it today and I must say it looks really good and is easy to use, I can see the place to add ActiveX sites to the banned list but not cookies... is there a way to?

[exile360]

Yup, if you open SpywareBlaster and click on Internet Explorer on the left (if that's the browser you use) and click the check box next to Cookie Protection. By default it should block ad tracking cookies for any sites listed under ActiveX as well .

[chimpy]

Oh yes I saw that but theres no way to add your own to it?