Adding to Hosts file.

[AL DOM]

In Windows 98, first ed., how does one add a website to the hosts file? I did a search on this forum and did not find an answer. Excuse me, if this information was posted previously.

In addition, I am using SpyBot. It automatically adds websites to the hosts file, but I cannot determine how to add a website myself using SpyBot. How do I do that?

I imagine that it doesn't make a difference if I add a website to the hosts file directly, or add it via SpyBot?

AL

[Dan18960]

Al,

All you need to do is edit the host file in Notepad and save it.

You will want to keep to the same format as the other addresses that are listed.

AND WE THOUGHT YOU WERE GIVING UP ON THAT DINOSAUR? ? ? ? I guess you just missed ANOTHER great sales season to replace your computer with one that you would amazed at the gained speed!

I am looking at going to the new Extreme motherboards since the one I did for the photographer earlier this summer is a "must" have. But then these motherboards aren't for the "frugal" mindsets. Just the processors and motherboards will set you back about $500.00 - then you start to add things like hard drives, DVD DL drives, video (I NEVER have on-board video connectors), and that ole standby Floppy drive (M$ still doesn't know how to see a cd rom IF you need to load raid drivers during the installation process).

[Guest117]

Here's a pretty good detail on Hosts Files (http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/how_to_use_hosts.html).:cool:

[PeteF]

In addition, I am using SpyBot. It automatically adds websites to the hosts file, but I cannot determine how to add a website myself using SpyBot. How do I do that?
AL

Al, I'm not aware that Spybot automatically adds websites to the hosts file.
You can lock the host file using Spybot but I don't think it automatically
adds anything to it.

Spybot automatically adds websites to the Restricted Zone in IE.
Maybe that's what you were thinking?

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SPYBOT S&D'S IMMUNIZE FEATURE
http://www.htworkshop.com/freeinfo_about_spybot_immunize.htm

---pete---

[AL DOM]

Pete,

The following is from Spybot's help file.

>> Spybot-S&D using the hosts file Tools
Spybot-S&D can add a prepared list of web sites known for bad behaviour (installing spyware or tracking users, for example) to your hosts file. If you want to do this, we recommend you also read the FAQ about cures for possible slow-downs on Windows NT based systems (Windows NT, 2000 and XP). And if you should notice you cannot visit a site that worked before, you should check the Hosts file section to see if that site is on the block list. <<

I have hundreds, maybe over a thousand entries in my hosts file. Personally, I never added even one entry! These websites must have been added by Spybot, and maybe SpywareBlaster. On average, once a week I receive an automatic download from Spybot and SpywareBlaster. I assume the entries in my hosts file came from them.

I also have hundreds of entries im my IE restricted file. I did not add any of them. Most of these entries are identical to the entries listed in my hosts file, so it appears that Spybot and similar programs add entries to the hosts file and the IE restricted files. Maybe when an entry is added to either file it is automatically added to the other?

SpywareBlaster also automatically adds sites to IE's restricted files. I checked SpywareBlaster's list of restricted entries; most are dissimilar to the entries in Spybot's hosts list. So, it appears that SpywareBlaster does not add much overlaping protection. It is adding additional protection.

What I find curious is that I can't determine how I personally can add a site to my hosts file using Spybot. One would think that functionality would be built into a program that purports to protect one's hosts file. I know I myself can add sites using Notepad, but apparently, there is no way to do that using Spybot.

Manipulating the hosts file is another method that computer users have to protect themselves from malware and unwanted advertisements. However, it appears to be under-utilized. The average user probably has never heard of the hosts file.

Thankfully, average users can avail themselves of popup blockers and programs like Spybot; unknowlingly, they are using the hosts file to protect themselves.

I thank the members of this forum for sharing their knowledge and helping average users to become power users.

This is certainly an interesting discussion. Thank you, Dan, Nick and Pete.

AL

[dbarrow]

Al, there is also a site (if I can find where I bookmarked it) that maintains a fairly up to date URL adware/spyware listing that can be downloaded and appended to hosts file.
As I recall, they even had a one click tool that would paste them in for you.
I'll have to dig for that as I have not updated my hosts with it recently and these signature files change as often as AV signature files.

I have been using my hosts file as a blocker for so long, I often forget about it for this function. It was quite some time back when I figured this out as some blocker program was doing the same thing, adding to it. and I researched it deeper.

[PeteF]

Pete,
I have hundreds, maybe over a thousand entries in my hosts file. Personally, I never added even one entry! These websites must have been added by Spybot, and maybe SpywareBlaster. On average, once a week I receive an automatic download from Spybot and SpywareBlaster. I assume the entries in my hosts file came from them.

I also have hundreds of entries im my IE restricted file. I did not add any of them.

Ok Al, I just figured out how to make Spybot
automatically load up the Hosts file. :)

First off, I routinely run Spybot and it's Immunize feature which do
not touch the HOST file. Amongst other things, Immuinze loads
up the IE restricted zone with bad webstite addresses. My HOST
file only had the one default entry.

To have Spybot automatically load up your HOSTS file,
you must first get it into ADVANCED MODE. Follow the
instructions below:

1.) MODE -> Advanced mode

2.) Click.. Tools
then double click.. "Host File Take a look at your hosts list"

3.) Click.. Add Spybot-S&D host list

If you host list was empty, you will see the Host list
get filled up before your very eyes. :)

That's it!

Thanks for asking the question!
I discovered something new today.

Now can someone tell me, does the HOSTS list only
affect IE or does it affect any browser?

---pete---

[Terry Hanushek]

Pete

Neat tip

Thanks

Terry

[dbarrow]

I believe it works with anything.
I know I use it to block ads in Pal Talk and there are sites in FF where ads display the 127.0.0.1 page not found redirect as I know I have included that particular ad server in the list.

BTW: did you ever have problem with page loading on a site where the DNS server routinely hangs on it?
Simply add the IP to hosts file and it will load right away as it does not need a DNS resolution to find it.

[PeteF]

I believe it works with anything.


You are correct, sir! :)

I just experimented by attempting to browse to www.coolwebsearch.com
which Spybot loads into the IE Restricted Zone as well as the Hosts file.

When the Host file is loaded with www.coolwebsearch.com
I get a page not found error type error with IE or Seamonkey.

I unload the the HOST file back to it's single entry default and
I can get to the www.coolwebsearch.com webpage with IE
or Seamonkey. However, with IE I'm automaticaly switched to
the restricted zone and protected against attacks via active-X
or scripting because www.coolwebsearch.com is loaded into
the restricted zone list.

---pete---