Hosts file not working...

Correct ... Your PC queries the Host file before the outbound HTTP request is made, to resolve the DNS. Which is seen as a Local file ... hence the request is automatically re-directed as a loop back, which has no bearing on a proxy, as the proxy is only filtering inbound/outbound HTTP Traffic. They are completely different / unconnected processess.

HTH,

Steve

 

The Hosts file you were using was for the Mac OS and is available, along with the Hosts file for Win32/Linux, at http://webpages.charter.net/hpguru/hosts/

 

LOL, no wonder it was back to front

Cheers

 

Hi BS and All,

If anyone is still undersure that these aren't connected (Host File & Proxomitron), and that they do play well together. You can do a simple test to confirm that, that is indeed the case. (I only added this as added info: I Know everyone that has posted in this thread does have an understanding )

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These instructions are for Windows XP ... If you are unsure in anyway what you are doing, it'd probably be best to Not proceed, if you still wish to proceed - Print all the instructions below; because if you do succeed with the "Add Stage" you won't be able to connect to Wilders', until you reverse the chages with the "Restore Stage", so you won't be able to receive help to resolve any problems, here @ Wilders.

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Add Stage:

Navigate to: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
Open HOST with notepad
Add this line : 127.0.0.1 www.wilderssecurity.com (directly under 127.0.0.1 localhost - for convenience ***Don't modify anything else***)
Save the file (It will save as HOST.txt)
Delete HOST (in the same directory - the one with NO extension)
Right-click HOST.txt - Select "rename" delete the .txt extension (you will get a confirmation popup; select "Yes")

Test Stage:

Try to Connect to Wilders' Security Forums - You will get a message that the browser was unable to connect. The Host File did it's job.

Restore Stage:

Navigate to: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
Open HOST with notepad
Delete this line : 127.0.0.1 www.wilderssecurity.com (directly under 127.0.0.1 localhost - where you saved it for convenience ***Don't modify anything else***)
Save the file (It will save as HOST.txt)
Delete HOST (in the same directory - the one with NO extension)
Right-click HOST.txt - Select "rename" delete the .txt extension (you will get a confirmation popup; select "Yes")

Test Stage 2: Try again to connect to Wilders'

~Welcome Back Home~ ​

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*Note* If you do get stuck at all after the "Add Stage", and can't correct the problem using the "Restore Stage", download either MVPs, or HpGuru Host file ... and extract it to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc and the Wilders' entry you added will be gone, once the host is overwritten. I didn't mention this as a solution for the restore stage, as I modify my Host file manually (as I'm sure many of you do), and I don't wish to lose changes I've made.

MVPs Host - http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
HpGuru's Host - http://webpages.charter.net/hpguru/hosts/

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Actually, I have utilize tools in certain cases. but I perfer the old fashion method ... I've got to be in total control.

The two I have used are:
Ray Marron's Hostess - http://accs-net.com/hostess/
HostsMan 1.2 - http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0413933601/abelha.html

If you're interested.

Thanks anyway Spanner.

Steve

 

I think you are right, but perhaps explaining it a little less than clearly... (at least to the way I first read it).

The problem being, the way you told the story, it sounds like a hosts file is not working with a proxy - not being a 'doze expert - isn't this the wrong way for any system to work - ie, shouldn't a hosts file over-ride any settings from the outside - ummm like from a proxy? Yes - and - No...

The problem with installing a proxy is that it means that you are no longer dealing directly with problem site - you deal with the proxy and that is in effect by-passing the blocked sites in your hosts file, as you aren't receiving data from said site, but rather it comes from your proxy.

There should be a way of knowing what the original source of the data is - even if it came from a proxy - and there isn't (to my knowledge) using 'doze.

If you have a proxy, you need to be able to configure the blocklists on it - ie, setup a squid proxy or something in-house.

External proxies are only as good as how they are run... if you trust them, that's good - if you prefer to handle your own blocking, you need to not have a proxy - but preventing some malware installing a proxy is another issue....

 

I wrote a few cool scripts for windows to help protect users
Full writeup is here http://rmccurdy.com/email.html

rar sfx/zips
hosts.exe : Host list installer to block ads AUTO UPDATE
quickclean.exe : Cleans all Temp files and startups
quicknorton.exe: Quick Norton Scan AUTO UPDATES TO LATEST DEFINITIONS