So that method someone posted to disable the notifier worked?(sorry to whoever posted it I forgot who it was.)
It was mfenech. Post #7
To avoid this, you turn the DNS service ON?
It depends upon how big the hosts file is, when mine used to only be around 200kb I didn't have to disable DNS Service but when I started using the MVPS hosts file I then had to turn it off because sites that aren't even blocked either took ages to load or didn't load at all.
Although there's been some discussion on the forums that the DNS Service shouldn't be disabled or set to manual. I've personally set mine to manual.
Thanks for the info!
Can anyone give me a basic rundown how to use HostsMan? I've been reading it's site, but I'm kind of at a loss here...
I haven't used HostsMan for ages, however in it I think you can download and auto-install at least 3 hosts files including the one from MVPS.org. It will do all the installing and backups and even lock the hosts file. It will also remove any duplicated entries since many hosts files block some of the same sites.
Thanks for the info!
Can anyone give me a basic rundown how to use HostsMan? I've been reading it's site, but I'm kind of at a loss here...
This thread here is where I found out about and downloaded the hosts file.
http://forum.ccleaner.com/index.php?showto...mp;hl=host+file
Thanks for the good info everyone.
One more quick question: is it safe to have more than one hosts file installed? Using HostsMan, I installed MVPS Hosts and Mike's Ad Blocking Hosts. Is using more than one hosts unsafe from a security or performance standpoint?
This is half warning and half question. Having recently installed the hosts file from mvps.og (thanks Andaviri) I subsequently ran a TrendMicro Housecall. 5 infections found. (No paths listed in the first scan run.) Took forever to clean. Luckilly Winpatrol then alerted me to a hosts file change (BHO warning), while the second scan was running. Second scan came up with 215 infections. Paths were given on this scan-all in the hosts file. Needless to say, did not clean. Pretty sure these are fp's. Sent an email off to TM concerning this.
The question part: Am I right?
PS, thanks to Winpatrol, was able to preserve the original hosts file, ie not allow the changes Housecall made.
Tarq
Yeah it might have just been false positives.(more then likely)
If your worried I suggest you do is reinstall the host file with the batch file again. It will just replace it with the same thing if nothing is wrong.
Regardless if you reinstall it or not I suggest you find the host file at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC then right click your host file and set it to read only. This way nothing should be able to edit your host file and you know everything it is ok thats in it.
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TeeJay its ok to have both but they are more then likely blocking the same stuff.(I'm guessing that the MVPS one probably blocks more then the other.)
Tarq
Yeah it might have just been false positives.(more then likely)
If your worried I suggest you do is reinstall the host file with the batch file again. It will just replace it with the same thing if nothing is wrong.
Regardless if you reinstall it or not I suggest you find the host file at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC then right click your host file and set it to read only. This way nothing should be able to edit your host file and you know everything it is ok thats in it.
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TeeJay its ok to have both but they are more then likely blocking the same stuff.(I'm guessing that the MVPS one probably blocks more then the other.)
I have been using this program called hoster it no install and you can download your MVPS host files or hphost files which ever you prefer it allow you to backup your original files download and replace the old host files and then set them as read only. The hphost files block about 3 times more web sites including My Space completely. http://www.funkytoad.com/content/view/13/31/
Finally got round to trying the hosts file and don't like it. For starters it killed my theme, but more annoyingly, the blocked ads on alot of pages are replace by "Internet Explorer is unable to display the page" and in FF "Unable to connect" messages.
I'll stick to AdBlock and Spyware Blaster I think
res45 I use that program too.
I tried hostsman but I didn't see much point in letting it run all the time. Hoster allows me to make the changes I want quickly and be done with it.
JD I'm not sure why you get those... Every pc I've put it on just has the blocked content disappeared just like it would if you were using adblock.
Maybe try rebooting and see if it still happens.
JD I'm not sure why you get those... Every pc I've put it on just has the blocked content disappeared just like it would if you were using adblock.
Maybe try rebooting and see if it still happens.
I did, and it still does
Maybe andavari knows. He knows more about the host file then I do.
Thanks rridgely and res45 for the tip. Read only. Hmm. Will do.
So far I'm loving the MVPS hosts file, but there is one side affect. I use McAfee SiteAdvisor and even though it is set to do so, it will not highlight search results. For those of you not familiar with SA, each search result is highlighted green, yellow, or red depending on how McAfee rates that particular site. Any idea how I can use that hosts file and still have my searches highlighted?
Maybe andavari knows. He knows more about the host file then I do.
Actually I have no clue as to why the hosts file caused that problem, that's a new one I've never heard of before. The rebooting part is necessary anyways as that's the only way to make the updated hosts file active.
I use McAfee SiteAdvisor and even though it is set to do so, it will not highlight search results.
I also use SiteAdvisor, however the MVPS.org hosts file doesn't block siteadvisor.com. If you're browsing with Internet Explorer make sure siteadvisor.com isn't a restricted site. If you're using Firefox make sure it isn't blocked in Firefox's own built in blocking tools and if you use AdBlock or AdBlock Plus make sure they aren't blocking it.
Actually I have no clue as to why the hosts file caused that problem, that's a new one I've never heard of before. The rebooting part is necessary anyways as that's the only way to make the updated hosts file active.
I also use SiteAdvisor, however the MVPS.org hosts file doesn't block siteadvisor.com. If you're browsing with Internet Explorer make sure siteadvisor.com isn't a restricted site. If you're using Firefox make sure it isn't blocked in Firefox's own built in blocking tools and if you use AdBlock or AdBlock Plus make sure they aren't blocking it.
For some reason, today the search results are being highlighted again. It's a complete mystery to me why they were not yesterday. (the colored icon at the bottom of the browser has always worked, and I do not use AdBlock).
I am using MVPS as well as Mike's Ad Blocking Hosts and was wondering how it is possible to use more than one hosts file simultaneously. Are the entries from both files merged into one file?
If it is not advisable to use more than one, how would I go about reverting back to a MVPS-only hosts file?
For some reason, today the search results are being highlighted again. It's a complete mystery to me why they were not yesterday. (the colored icon at the bottom of the browser has always worked, and I do not use AdBlock).
I am using MVPS as well as Mike's Ad Blocking Hosts and was wondering how it is possible to use more than one hosts file simultaneously. Are the entries from both files merged into one file?
If it is not advisable to use more than one, how would I go about reverting back to a MVPS-only hosts file?
There is a free software called HostsMan that can manage and update your hosts file fairly easily.
Also, i would recommend eDexter to all who use a hosts file.
Another option is to download an run Koffix Blocker (www.koffix.com). It blocks a large number of sites and info is given on all those sites as to why Koffix decided to block them.
Actually I have no clue as to why the hosts file caused that problem, that's a new one I've never heard of before. The rebooting part is necessary anyways as that's the only way to make the updated hosts file active.
Tried replacing the hosts file again in case I did something wrong first time and still the same result - 'Page cannot be displayed' message where the ads should be. Damn