Hosts file on pricelessware....is this thing idiot proofed?

[alpha]

Hello, just read the paragraph about "host file" on pricelessware.

unfortunatly i'm not so technical and need to know if this is suitable
as an extra layer of security for non teckies like myself?

is there a chance it will stop anything which i consider friendly and
normal?.....or is it just a case of install and forget about it because
it wont block anything important?

considering the size of the prog i thought it might be worth having...i
already have webwasher so i'm also not sure if i need this prog.

hoping someone can advice.....cheers........A

 

[Doc]

Hello, just read the paragraph about "host file" on pricelessware.

unfortunatly i'm not so technical and need to know if this is suitable
as an extra layer of security for non teckies like myself?

is there a chance it will stop anything which i consider friendly and
normal?.....or is it just a case of install and forget about it because
it wont block anything important?

considering the size of the prog i thought it might be worth having...i
already have webwasher so i'm also not sure if i need this prog.

hoping someone can advice.....cheers........A

1. a HOSTS file is NOT a prog
2. a HOSTS file will completely block access to any web address it
contains (seems important to me)
3. just download one and copy it into the correct location for your
system. if it seems you cannot access a 'friendly' site it is very easy
to check the HOSTS file in any text editor, and remove the 'friendly'
site

 

[trout]

Hello, just read the paragraph about "host file" on pricelessware.

unfortunatly i'm not so technical and need to know if this is suitable
as an extra layer of security for non teckies like myself?

is there a chance it will stop anything which i consider friendly and
normal?.....or is it just a case of install and forget about it
because it wont block anything important?

considering the size of the prog i thought it might be worth
having...i already have webwasher so i'm also not sure if i need this
prog.

hoping someone can advice.....cheers........A

I haven't looked at the file in question; but in general, they're
safe to use.
If you ever *do* experience problems connecting with a wanted site, you
could search the file (it's simply a text file) for a reference, or just
rename it to something like "nohosts" temporarily, to see if it was the
cause.

 

[mike555]

=== I use the hosts file in "Spybot Search & distroy" , it installs
itself (when you tell it to) and works fine ==========

 

[Susan Bugher]

Hello, just read the paragraph about "host file" on pricelessware.

unfortunatly i'm not so technical and need to know if this is suitable
as an extra layer of security for non teckies like myself?

is there a chance it will stop anything which i consider friendly and
normal?.....or is it just a case of install and forget about it because
it wont block anything important?

I created a couple of batch files to disable/enable Hosts. There's a
program on the Hosts web page that does the same thing:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

<q>
You can use a simple batch file to rename the HOSTS file "on-the-fly".
(98\ME\2K\XP) Download: RenHosts.bat
<q>

IMO this is the easiest (KISS) way to deal with the occasional site
where you want to disable the Hosts file. I need to disable Hosts to
download programs from some sites. (IOW - you *must* view their ads.)
One click to disable Hosts, another click to re-enable - works for me.

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware
Search alt.comp.freeware (or read it online):
http://google.ca/advanced_group_search?q=+group:alt.comp.freeware
Pricelessware & ACF: http://www.pricelesswarehome.org
Pricelessware: http://www.pricelessware.org (not maintained)

 

[Frank Bohan]

1. a HOSTS file is NOT a prog
2. a HOSTS file will completely block access to any web address it
contains (seems important to me)
3. just download one and copy it into the correct location for your
system. if it seems you cannot access a 'friendly' site it is very easy
to check the HOSTS file in any text editor, and remove the 'friendly'
site

Alternatively you can use Host Toggle, which can switch the Host file on and
off. It also enables changes to be made quickly if required.
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/HostsToggle/


===

Frank Bohan
¶ Pi R squared. Nooo! Pie R round, cornbread R square!

 

[Larry Sabo]

Hello, just read the paragraph about "host file" on pricelessware.

unfortunatly i'm not so technical and need to know if this is suitable
as an extra layer of security for non teckies like myself?

is there a chance it will stop anything which i consider friendly and
normal?.....or is it just a case of install and forget about it because
it wont block anything important?

considering the size of the prog i thought it might be worth having...i
already have webwasher so i'm also not sure if i need this prog.

hoping someone can advice.....cheers........A

In addition to what the others have said...

If you use the "Hosts File Manager" mentioned in the MSVP page
referenced on the www.pricelesswearehome.org site, it makes disabling/
re-enabling the hosts file as simple as one mouse click. Installing it
puts the program in your Startup Group and the program checks for
updates automatically upon startup. It just runs itself on startup
then kills its process, and requires absolutely no attention, but
keeps you from web sites that harbour drive-by infections/malware.

Personally, I think it's terrific, and install it on almost all my
clients' systems.

Larry

 

[/3iff //ullinz]

is there a chance it will stop anything which i consider friendly and
normal?

absolutely. that is why anyone considering utilizing a hosts file
should use a .pac (proxy access configuration) file instead. it will
*not block entire sites - only the "bad" / ad-serving parts:
http://www.schooner.com/~loverso/no-ads/

 

[alpha]

perfect sollution!........thanks for that......A