HOSTS file

[Stefano Maida]

Hello.

I'd like to have some infos about the file HOSTS.
Why is it there?
What happens if I delete it?

I'm asking about that because I couldn't view 5 web sites (one of them was
my ebanking site in HTTPS): I was getting the ugly page THE PAGE CANNOT BE
DISPLAYED.
I solved the problem opening the HOSTS file with Notepad and I erased the IP
numbers and addresses related to the sites I couldn't open.

So my question is: what if I clear the whole HOSTS list?

Thanks for sharing your opinions.

Steff

 

[Michael]

Have a look at
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

this should tell you most of what you need to know.

Michael

 

[Mike Burgess]

Stefano,
If you had entries (IP and website) in your HOSTS file, you must
be using some kind of web accelerator that is adding those entries.

Note: most of those type programs really don't work and are not
needed. Hint- go back and check your HOSTS file again, were
any more entries added since you last edited it?
____________________________________________________________
Mike Burgess [MVP Windows Shell\User] http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 12-08-03]
Please post replies to this Newsgroup, email address is invalid

 

[mikey]

check here for info and to download a host file
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/



(e-mail address removed)



Hello.

I'd like to have some infos about the file HOSTS.
Why is it there?
What happens if I delete it?

I'm asking about that because I couldn't view 5 web sites (one of them was
my ebanking site in HTTPS): I was getting the ugly page THE PAGE CANNOT BE
DISPLAYED.
I solved the problem opening the HOSTS file with Notepad and I erased the IP
numbers and addresses related to the sites I couldn't open.

So my question is: what if I clear the whole HOSTS list?

Thanks for sharing your opinions.

Steff

 

[Stefano Maida]

Stefano,
If you had entries (IP and website) in your HOSTS file, you must
be using some kind of web accelerator that is adding those entries.

Note: most of those type programs really don't work and are not
needed. Hint- go back and check your HOSTS file again, were
any more entries added since you last edited it?

Hi Mike.

There are hundreds of entries in my HOSTS file: they are all the websites I
normally visit.
Now my questions are:
1) why deleting the relative entry allowed me to open that website again
2) what happens if I delete them all
3) what's that list for, I mean what's the use of it for the PC

BTW, I'm not using any Internet accelerator: I know they don't work.
All I did before I got stuck when I couldn't open those 5 websites, was to
run Ad-Aware 6, then I cleared most of the crap found.

Thanks for your help.

Steff

 

[Stefano Maida]

check here for info and to download a host file
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/


What do you guys think about this download DNSKong suggested by Mike?

 

[Mike Burgess]

Stef,

1) why deleting the relative entry allowed me to open that website again

Possibly the site changed servers, thus the IP address changed, but since
the HOSTS file had the previous IP address = cannot connect.

2) what happens if I delete them all

Nothing really .....

3) what's that list for, I mean what's the use of it for the PC

Just like I mentioned before, these "accelerator type" programs
use that method. The theory is that it will speed-up your connection
time to a site you want to visit.
____________________________________________________________
Mike Burgess [MVP Windows Shell\User] http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 12-08-03]
Please post replies to this Newsgroup, email address is invalid
--

 

[Stefano Maida]

Steff,
Possibly the site changed servers, thus the IP address changed, but since
the HOSTS file had the previous IP address = cannot connect.

Nothing really .....

Just like I mentioned before, these "accelerator type" programs
use that method. The theory is that it will speed-up your connection
time to a site you want to visit.

Thanks Mike, you've been very helpful.
Season greetings,
Steff

 

[Mike Burgess]

Steff,
You're welcome .... glad to see you have things resolved.
_____________________________________________________________
Mike Burgess [MVP Windows Shell\User] http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 12-15-03]
Please post replies to this Newsgroup, email address is invalid
--