MVPS HOSTS File Update October-21-2013

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [October-21-2013]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

Download: hosts.zip (136 kb)
http://msmvps.com/blogs/hostsnews/archive/2013/10/21/1850713.aspx

How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm

HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm

Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (553 kb)

Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm

 

Thanks silj.

 

You're welcome - enjoy the file.

 

Thanks! Updated with HostXpert .

 

Glad you were able to import the latest version.

 

I have always used this hosts file, never had any issues with it.

One question though, some say it is better & faster to change 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0

Does this really make any difference speed wise?

 

Do not alter any entries.

 

Thanks for the reply but I don't think you understood what I meant.

This is the first few lines of the MVPS hosts file.

127.0.0.1 fr.a2dfp.net
127.0.0.1 m.fr.a2dfp.net
127.0.0.1 ad.a8.net
127.0.0.1 asy.a8ww.net
127.0.0.1 abcstats.com

I know that some hosts manager software like HostsMan say that changing the 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0 speeds up browsing.

0.0.0.0 fr.a2dfp.net
0.0.0.0 m.fr.a2dfp.net
0.0.0.0 ad.a8.net
0.0.0.0 asy.a8ww.net
0.0.0.0 abcstats.com

So what I was asking does that change make any difference to browsing speed?

 

I did understand your question, altering the loopback via HostsMan is something they would have to answer to.

 

i see that you got abp in your arsenal. isn't mvps redundant in this case?

 

AdBlockPlus is generally Firefox specific and I would not discourage use of a Hosts file for those who choose to run one.

 

when i used to use one, i always had this problem with these hosts files. when i wanted to go one or a few pages back while browsing through a website, and if there were some ads or malicious or harmful pages blocked by hosts file, clicking the back button of the browser or hitting shift on the keyboard wouldn't work, and the only way to go back was right clicking on back button and manually clicking that page. and it was the same when you try to go forward later.

 

If all else fails, read the FAQ. Or - read the manual.

 

thanks.
but that sounds like too much of a hassle, trying to add every new adserver to the list. rather go with abp or similar solutions.

 

Perhaps | HostsMan updates and discussion thread:
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=353926
Would better suit your needs and not this thread.

 

right, sorry, didn't notice this was the update thread. over & out.

 

I haven't really thought about it much. I do know of an instance where I need to whitelist a handful of items in my Hosts file so I can click redirected newegg links on anandtech's forums. ABP's easylist doesn't seem to block these redirects despite having similarly named entries.

 

I loaded the host file about a year ago and have done nothing to it.
I assumed it would do its thing. I now suspect that approach is totally
wrong from reading this thread. Sounds very complicated and I would
have to spend endless hours trying to learn how to use it.
I haven't uploaded the latest one yet.
Am I wrong?

 

It's not that complicated to use, I always update it when a new version is released on the MVPS hosts site.

Here are my steps to using it.

1. Download the zip file from MVPS site.
2. Right click & use whatever archive manager you use (winrar, winzip, 7zip etc) & click extract here.
3. Open the newly extracted folder & follow the steps for your OS shown just under the download link to install the hosts file.
4. I then navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\ & right click the the Hosts & make it read only.

Sometimes you might need to exclude the new hosts file from security software, I know that Windows Defender sometimes blocks changes to it.

Hope the above helps.

 

Thank you Banzi for responding.
Some of your stuff worked and some didn't.

I downloaded the zip file. Moved it into my old HOST folder.
Used .zip to extract to the host folder.
When I opened the host folder there were no instructions for
Window 7 pro 64-bit. I then ran MVPS.bat. It seemed to work.
When I went into Windows\system32\drivers I was unable to
find the Host file there.

I have no idea if the Hosts file is functioning or what I have
done wrong.

 

correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't noscript block those redirects if you set it to do so?

 

@Shankle

Sorry I wasn't more specific, you don't extract the hosts.zip to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc folder, just extract it to your downloads folder then open the new folder that should be called hosts & right click on the mvps.bat file & click run as administrator.

A command prompt window will then appear & it will copy the hosts file to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc folder automatically & then press any key to close it.

I then navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc folder & right click the hosts file & click the read only box & then click apply.

Hope that helps.

 

that's because there's no separate hosts file for x64. it's the one found under "system32\drivers\etc"

 

Found it and made the changes.
Seems from looking at the stuff provided by Siljaline
that it is way more complicated than that.
So I guess my HOSTS file is now active?

 

Sorry to read you are having trouble. To ensure your Hosts file is working ping an existing entry.