If you just want to block certain types of websites, would it not be easier to use a service like OpenDNS? http://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/parental-controls/opendns-home/
I used MVPS for years, but just discontinued it and went back to the basic HOSTS file came with the computer. I am currently using OpenDNS along with a bunch of other security stuff, so felt I really didn't need it anymore.
See | MVPS Hosts updates and discussion thread https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/mvps-hosts-updates-and-discussion-thread.362998/
Hi Maybe this can be useful to you: http://rlwpx.free.fr/WPFF/hosts.htm The site is in french, just scroll down a little after the middle and you will find this section: hosts.blc [Archive], anti-hameçonnage (2 mars 2014) : 1 916 sites sensibles ; hosts.trc [Archive], anti-traqueurs (5 octobre 2014) : 42 451 sites à possible contenu intrusif bloqués ; hosts.pub [Archive], anti-publicités (5 octobre 2014) : 96 763 sites à possible contenu publicitaire bloqués ; hosts.rsk [Archive], anti-maliciels (5 octobre 2014) : 103 079 sites à possible contenu dangereux bloqués ; hosts.sex [Archive], anti-sexe (5 octobre 2014) : 768 904 sites à possible contenu adulte bloqués ; hosts.mis [Archive], anti-divers (5 octobre 2014) : 457 081 sites divers bloqués. My english is quite elementary so pardon me if I can't explain better...
Just a hint in case you are using those entries. Instead of 127.0.0.1 blablabla.gov you should use 0.0.0.0 blablabla.gov It will speed up your network. Sites will load faster.
Using OpenDNS here, I don't want to disable DNS Cache and thus don't want to use a hosts file coz it will slow my computer down if I don't disable DNS Cache
No, I see no need anymore. Regarding OpenDNS, I have used OpenDNS for 7 yrs and I couldn't be more happy
I have been using MVPS Hosts file with DNS cache enabled for over a year now. Haven't experienced any slowdowns or anything.
I read that if your hosts file is more than a 100kb then it will cause overall system slowdown if DNS Cache service is not disabled. That's even mentiond on the MVPS website
I set the DNS service to manual & it only starts when needed, I think the slow down was mainly on older version of windows.
I saw that I had an enormous long list in the Restricted Sites Zone in IE11. And while I was looking on MVPS site I noticed a nifty trick to remove all sites from the Restricted Sites Zone by the name of 'DelDomains.inf'. http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/DelDomains.inf So I runned it and after that everything was removed in the restricted zone list. Yay! But, even though it seemed to have done the trick, was this DelDomains still even supported for IE11? I mean, I didn't screw anything up by this? Cheers!
It's from Spybot S&D. I actually did an undo first in Spybot and after that all the entries were removed though (in the restricted zone list), but when I looked in the register myself there were still some 'left overs'. I really have no idea how they could get there, since I only used Spybot S&D once back in the day, so I used MVPS DelDomains trick (which removed everything 'nicely', I guess). But after that I was kinda worried that I maybe messed up my register by MVPS DelDomains.inf trick. So that's why I asked, if it's still safe to use that DelDomains thingie. Cheers.
@ Tom111 The SpywareBlaster Del Domains bits is there as MVPS doesn't like SpywareBlaster. He should have been asked to hike that down years ago. It's something that should be provided by the software vendor in the event of an emergency. If that tool is used - it removes all of the domains added to the IE Restricted Zones. Not to be trifled with. If the MVPS tool is used the next time your run SpywareBlaster, you will see a prompt at next update to - "enable all protections" -
That probably should be removed as it actually has a reverse effect - a modern PC doesn't need to have DNS set to manual or stopped for a large Hosts file to work as advertised.