Advice re using Host File protection - do I need it?

[bahjan]

Hi,

I am a complete newbie regarding Host file protection. I have been looking at MVPS Hosts for an extra layer of protection. My question is this - do I need it, and is MVPS better or equivient to Winpartrol (which I am considering using) or Spybot immunisation?

Here's what I have installed antispyware wise at the at the moment:
SpywareBlaster
Superantispyware
A-Squared Free

I also use Firefox 2.0 with Site Advisor and Roboform Free.

I appear to have no host file on my Windows 98se at the moment. I like the idea that MVPS might speed loading of some sites - firefox seems a bit sluggish on my machine - though given the advantages over IE 6.1, I am willing to be patient. Is MVPS Hosts only useful to users of IE?

[LoneWolf]

Winpatrol would be a nice addition to your setup IMO. I have the plus version(Paid and worth every penny,realtime) but the free version is also very nice to have.(polling) Still both versions have some very nice features.

[TopperID]

Host File protection acts by diverting you away from potentially dangerous sites. If you attempt to visit such a site you will be unable to go there, so long as that site is listed in your Hosts file of course. There's a good tutorial on the Hosts file here:-

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial51.html

The type of immunization you get with Spybot/SpywareBlaster is rather different, it simply places a long list of known bad sites in the 'Restricted' zone of IE. This means you can go to the bad sites but there is little they can do to harm you since dangerous functions (scripting, java, Active X etc) are not permitted for sites in the Restricted zone.

Winpatrol is more of a system monitor, checking numerous system variables at regular intervals, so you can keep track of any adverse changes that may occur.

I don't find a need for a large Hosts file, one objection being that it is no protection from sites not listed that may also harm you; the other being that it may (though I'm not certain) slow you down checking through all the addresses.

[SpikeyB]

Some info here as well: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=101334&highlight=hosts

[Rmus]

And some more info here as well... http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=709045#post709045

[bahjan]

Thanks to all. Makes interesting reading.....

[innerpeace]

Spybot's immunize feature only helps if your running IE. It doesn't hurt to keep it though.

Spyware Blaster mainly helps protect IE and only protects Firefox from certain cookies. It can also backup a hosts file.

MVPS hosts file instructions is how I learned about hosts files. I can't give you any advice on how to do it on Windows 98. It will help protect you no matter what browser you use. There are other hosts file lists beside MVPS.

None of the above are a replacement for a real-time anti-spyware/malware programs. Your best protection with Firefox is using the NoScript extension ;) .

[Meriadoc]

The Host file is a good way of blocking by directing back to your machine but also used in directing to the correct address.

Very good in blocking web contents, ads and cookies.

[flinchlock]

Troubleshooting Your Hosts File (http://www.hostsfile.info/troubleshooting_a_hosts_file.html)-{ Quote: "
* Win 95, 98, 98SE, or Me: Default path = c:\windows
* Win NT or 2000. Default path = c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc
* Win XP. Default path = c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc" }-
As far as the hosts file on W98, you could create a little batch file that copied YOUR hosts file to the SYSTEM hosts file at each boot?

copy /y c:\hosts.cya c:\windows\hosts
Mike