HOSTS file...

[Mr. tech]

hey,

My WINDOWS/system32/etc/host file is full of simillar lines like this except the url is changed:

127.0.0.1 abcsearch.com

One was blocking google adsense and when I removed it adsense came up fine again.

Do I need all these? What programs add these? Can I remvoe any?

Thanks

Ben

 

[C.Ingram]

Hosts files are often changed like that to make sure your computer can't connect to ad web sites. Blocking AdSense is a bit much, since its actualy a good program. Advertisers that use pop ups are good candidates for the hosts file trick.

You can remove any you like, except for

127.0.0.1 localhost

if present.

 

[Mr. tech]

Ok. It's just I've been visiting websites lately (e.g: bravenet.com) and they were redirecting me to localhost. I suppose I'll jsut delete the ones I want deleted if they ever redirect me to localhost. Thanks

 

[bla!!]

Yup, it's quite nifty. When attempting to access a website, or ping any name, your computer will check your hosts file before actually contacting a DNS server to attempt to resolve the IP.

It's quite a neat trick to block adware on your computer. I know that Spybot uses this in some prevention. I'm not sure about any other spyware scanners though.