etc/hosts file as a spam and pop-up blocking tool?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al Dykes
  • Start date Start date
A

Al Dykes

ISTM that I've seen articles about using entries in the hosts file to
black-hole attempts to access adware and popup servers from my web
browser and that some kind person was maintaing a recommended list of
names for this.

Can anyone point me to any information?

Thanks
 
Al said:
ISTM that I've seen articles about using entries in the hosts file to
black-hole attempts to access adware and popup servers from my web
browser and that some kind person was maintaing a recommended list of
names for this.

Can anyone point me to any information?
Click to expand...


Try here: "Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File"

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
 
Al said:
Thanks. Read it.

your tech note says that host files larger than 135k can slow down an
XP or W2k machine. The hosts file offered for download is 355k.

Do people use it?
Click to expand...


I use it and haven't noticed any slowdown.
 
Al said:
ISTM that I've seen articles about using entries in the hosts file to
black-hole attempts to access adware and popup servers from my web
browser and that some kind person was maintaing a recommended list of
names for this.

Can anyone point me to any information?

Thanks
Click to expand...

While using entries in the etc/hosts file to redirect host names to the
local host IP in order to "block" access to those sites/servers, it is
my opinion that this isn't really the most efficent method. I recommend
using a properly configured firewall instead, not the XP "firewall",
though; it can only block incomming trafic and you want to block
outgoing. There are some good freeware firewalls available, I use Kerio
Personal Firewall but hear that Zone Alarm Free is also very good. The
popup blocker in IE with SP2 isn't too bad either.

Steve
 
Steve N. said:
While using entries in the etc/hosts file to redirect host names to the
local host IP in order to "block" access to those sites/servers, it is
my opinion that this isn't really the most efficent method. I recommend
using a properly configured firewall instead, not the XP "firewall",
though; it can only block incomming trafic and you want to block
outgoing. There are some good freeware firewalls available, I use Kerio
Personal Firewall but hear that Zone Alarm Free is also very good. The
popup blocker in IE with SP2 isn't too bad either.

Steve
Click to expand...

If you want to use the hosts file method, check out the following link:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

mikey
 
take a look at Privoxy; much better than using a hosts file.

www.privoxy.org

it can be technical, but works great w/ default settings, you do not need
to dable in its intricacies, just follow the quickstart.html
 
While using entries in the etc/hosts file to redirect host names to the
local host IP in order to "block" access to those sites/servers, it is
Click to expand...


I've got a real PFW, thanks.

I decided to play with the hosts file because Firefix anti-popup has
been leaking lately and it was pissing me off. I haven't seen
one since putting it in.
 
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