Hosts Block

Hi @Brocke, I have in the past used HostsMan. Does Hosts Block have any specific adavantage over that program?

 

While I haven't used hostsman, One thing that Hosts Block doesn't do yet that I'm working on is Scanning hosts for errors, duplicates and possible hijacks.

What Hostsman doesn't have is Backup encryption, Active protection of hosts file to prevent malware or other things from changing the hosts file. Hosts Block will auto fix those errors.

If I think of anyting else I will posts back.

thank you
Brock

 

Program Update: Hosts Block 1.8.8

This version is different from here on out. There will now be a "Paid" version of Hosts Block.

The chart below will show the differences.



The cost per license is $5USD. I've thought long on this because I've spend money on the encryption DLL that does a lot more than just encryption. License are lifetime of updates,

The Feature "View changes in hosts file", The lets you see what has been add, and removed at each update. That is if anything has changed to the host file. Now Active Protection uses this too. In Silent mode(Auto) and Alerting will show you what has been found with dates and times.

Download: http://bitly.com/HostsBlockSetup

thank you all for you support and help.
Brock


EDIT: License are no longer bonded to the PC hardware and now are Open license.

 

Hi ,
$ 5.00 is fair but i dont like Hardware bond to the PC sorry.
You change hardware and now you have to contact the seller for
new key.
regards
matra

 

are you suggesting I create an open license instead and trust people won't abuse the licensing system? I'm open to doing that.

Thanks brock

 

Hi Brocke.
Like paulderdash , I also used HostsMan for some time before I discovered Hosts Block.

And I've been using it happily since then .

But like matra , I don't want to pay for a license that is tied to a single machine.

Personally ,I think it would have been better if there had been some advance notice of these changes ,
and then I would have turned off " Program Update ".

As it is , I see that I now have 1.8.9 and I kind of wish that I could get an earlier version back again.

But I wish you well with the changes ..... quality work like this shouldn't have to be a labor of love .

..... just my 2 cents worth

 

I see what you mean. I will be releasing an update tonight allowing for open license instead of hardware.

The free version will not suffer and there will be no nag or popup ad's ever.

Thanks
Brock

 

Program update: Hosts Block 1.9.1

Changes - Licensing model is now Open, ie Not tied to your hardware.

This changes comes after a few discussions with some of the member here.
I want to make a good product for people and open to changes to improve the user base and to give what people want in Hosts Block.



thank you guys
Brock

 

Ghack.com Reviewed Hosts Block

http://www.ghacks.net/2016/01/20/hosts-block/#comment-3801106

Not a bad review, Give me ideas for the next update. Such as adding more Hosts file lists.


Brock

 

Thank you Brocke

A wise and honorable decision if I may say so .

I sympathize with your position .... it's a delicate balancing act.

You always have the option to change things later if you feel that open licenses are being abused.

I'd just like to add that I really appreciate your taking on-board the feedback and opinions of Wilders members .

Q

 

Program Update: Hosts Block 1.9.3

changes: www.hostsblock.com/changelog

 

Thank you @quietman for the support and kind words

Brock

 

Program update: Hosts Block 1.9.4

Changes : http://www.hostsblock.com/changelog

 

Hello all,

Looking for advise and suggestions for Hosts Block 2.0.

Suggestions welcome rather be features or GUI changes etc.

Thank you
Brock

 

@Brocke: Will my own entries be overwritten with the hosts updates?

 

Yes by default this will happen. You can do one of two things.

In setting change active protection to alerts. This will allow you to use other tools to edit the hosts file like notepad. Those entires will then be added into custom entries.

Or open hosts block go to Entries> then custom entries and dump all your entries there.

Then hosts block will not overwrite them.

If you need more help just ask.
Brock

 

Program Update: Hosts Block 1.9.8


Version 1.9.8 (Current)

- Bug Fix - minor issue with updating Showing Changes dialog are now resolved.

- Added - Now when updating hosts file it will tell you if the hosts file has been updated or not during manual updating.


http://www.hostsblock.com/changelog

 

This what actually Heimdal does as well, right? block connections based on a blacklist.

 

Hosts Block is a hosts file manager and also is a set and forget app. You install it and everything is setup and by default uses the MVPS Hosts file. There are many other hosts file sources to chooses from in the options.

Hosts Block is nothing like Heimdal. As it doesn't scan the system for things. Hosts Block only manages the Hosts file and adds and remove entries as needed.

let me know if you have any more questions.

 

Hi,
I think it would be good to be able to select the backup location.

 

Good idea, I'll add this to version 2.0.

Thanks Brock

 

@Brocke

Please explain me on witch point Host Block is better / works better as HostMan (Freeware)

 

Hosts Block and Hostman are different but offer a lot of the same. Hosts Blocks offers backup of the hosts file, active protection which prevents changes to the hosts file.

While hostman has been around longer i feel Hosts Block is evolving at a nice pace and the paid version offers a few more features that hostman does not.

Thank you
Brock

 

@Brocke

thx for you statement, but in one point your information about Hostman is wrong, there is also a backup option of the hosts file

 

Correct, I worded my statement wrong. I meant to include Hosts Block does have backup encryption while hostsman doesn't .