Here's one example of why I like having a HOSTS file in place... from DSLReports.com. None of my other security applications have to jump up and take charge because Spybot HOSTS file has this site and its trojan link blocked. I click on it and nothing happens. No muss, no fuss. "I would like to recommend to everyone. Search-and-destroy Antispyware is an excellent scanner that I would like to recommend to everyone. I simply love it. In the past I have tried many different types of scans. Some of them were free and others cost quite a bit of money but they all seem to pick up the same types of bugs. The antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy is less expensive than most and it will clean your computer and keep it working great just like the more costly scanners. Click on »www.Search-and-destroy.com/antispyware.html to learn more about this scan and how it can help you protect your computer." http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21641123-I-would-like-to-recommend-to-everyone Edit: tried to attach image. See next post.
And what if you download it from a site which is not listed in the HOSTS file? Btw. no problems for MBAM detecting and removing this roque .exe Gerard
No hosts file here anymore As noted posts by LWM ; https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=709045&postcount=2 https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=709084&postcount=4 In this thread https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=709045#post709045 And from Kevin McAleavy https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=618793&postcount=6 https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=620682&postcount=10 oops, and what Rich posted
I believe this is like discussion whether or not antiviruses are of any use. They miss a lot malware. Should people still use them? Not at all? Some claim all they need is a HIPS. Then again, they know how to work with such, and more important, they know how to monitor their system for any suspicious activity. Some claim all they need is imaging. If infection occurs, they replace. Others, rollback tools. Etc. I could say, the hell with all that. If infection occurs - format c:/. If you're not confident enough, then go out buy a new harddisk. What I'm saying is that, the need to a HOSTS file, antivirus, etc., it all depends on who is using it. And, while it is true that certain malicious domain cease to exist, many more still prevail for some time. I got a list of, at least 8400 malicious domains, that still resolve since 2007 I believe the use of such, for some - and perhaps most - people, is better than nothing.
I'm surprised HostsMan hasn't been mentioned. I generally have it running on all machines I don't own but have been asked to secure, along with only auto-updating the MVPS hosts file for strict add/malware blocking, as the other ones add useful things such as torrent sites. I truly love set it and forget it programs. It even comes with a small and useful http proxy to display a more meaningful message when a website is blocked.
I used to use MVPS Hosts file a few months ago. But it suddenly stopped working; it won't block any ads in IE or FF. So I had to revert it back to the default HOST file. Now I'm only using NoScript and Adblock Plus extensions for FF.
I simply use the built-in Hosts file without any special program. I do NOT use it to block anything, I have enough specialized programs on my system to already do that. I use the Hosts file to jump straight to the financial institutions that I do business with so there is no chance of being pharmed out through DNS cache poisoning. Acadia
I stopped using MVPS hostfile long time ago. Because I like to have 100 percent of the internet available and surf any where and not be restricted by some Host File Black List. A lot of us here in these forums now have good enough security to prevent Malware Infection.
Nope. Why ? in no particular order Don't fully understand how it works how its meant to stop malware , what threat its preventing Have read stuff where its outdated concept , and was wrong idea to start with ! Seems like extra work to do
No, I don't. Modern Malware can easily manipulate Hosts Files even with Protection (Read-only etc.) "Large Hosts Files cause Internet related slowdowns due to DNS Client Server Caching. This negatively effects your browsing speed. AntiSpyware Hosts File authors irresponsibly recommend disabling the DNS Client Service to solve this problem. This is not a solution. The overall performance of the client computer decreases and the network traffic for DNS queries increases if the DNS resolver cache is deactivated. This effectively reduces Internet Performance for sites you have previously visited and puts an unnecessary load on your ISP's DNS server." http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/XPMyths.html
MVPS Free, simple, zero resource overhead. Not so much for security, but to prevent a lot of those pesky ad popups / browser windows opening that bog down browsing (especially if you're on dialup).
No, I don't use: I tried MVP HOSTS file one time on my old laptop. Back then, I didn't use the Network Discovery but the DNS client service would always start up automatically even if I modified it to Manual. All in all, I found MVP HOSTS to be problematic on that occasion: - caused script errors on Garena (a gamer app that I sometimes use); - surprisingly blocked OneStat.com - a legitimate site; - noticeably slowed down browsing speed - even with the DNS client disabled.
