MVPS HOSTS File Update December-06-2013

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [December-06-2013]

Download: hosts.zip (136 kb)
http://msmvps.com/blogs/hostsnews/archive/2013/12/06/1872125.aspx

How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm

HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm

Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (519 kb)

Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm

Important Note: This update contains a change in the prefix in the HOSTS entries to "0.0.0.0" instead of the usual "127.0.0.1".This was done to resolve a slowdown issue with the new Win8.1/IE11 and the HOSTS file.

 

Is 0.0.0.0 also a loopback address on Win 7 and earlier windows?

 

As I don't author the file, I am not in a position to provide you with anything definitive other than what is cited in the Blog entry:

I see no ill effect with the Hosts file version on my Windows 7 machine. Comments may be made via the Blog entry.

 

If it works on Win 7 then it is OK with me. I was just asking a general question about whether 0.0.0.0 is also considered a localhost loopback address.

 

By definition of what a pure Hosts file is:

Code:

# This is an example of the hosts file
127.0.0.1  localhost loopback
::1        localhost 

The new file has the below:

Code:

127.0.0.1 localhost

::1 localhost #[IPv6] 

Noting I'm not an expert in this area but have been collaborating with this file for years - the 0.0.0.0 are not the loopback.
The 127.0.0.1 localhost at the beginning of the file is the localhost.
The 0.0.0.0 entries are in compliance with IE 11 under Window 8.1
This is as much as I know at this time.

 

I'm running it on Win 7. No issues so far.

The 0.0.0.0 versus 127.0.0.1 has been discussed over the years. My memory is that there was never a definitive answer on "rightness" (or I missed it!!!! LOL)