Me too I don't use those files anymore: now I'm happy with a huge but well refined (for my purposes) NoScript's A.B.E. ruleset. My /etc/hosts (I'm running Debian) now is something about 120000 entries, by mixing someonewhocares, yoyo, mvp and HP tracking hosts lists. I don't even use anymore Request Policy. Just thought it might be interesting for the original poster.
That depends on what Hosts file you are referring to. MVPS has the least amount of parked entries that I'm aware of. When one is in question it is commented out with a "#" rendering the entry useless. Without me sounding like I'm advertising the file. It's only on my forum sig as I run it and believe in the security value of such an item.
I was specifically referring to the hosts files on http://rlwpx.free.fr/WPFF/hosts.htm mentioned by NaviCell.
