Using a VPN often causes the OS to bypass checking the hosts file. Personally, I use both, as I really hate ads! Tip 1Įditing the hosts file makes a great alternative to using parental control software. Only blocks elements within the browser.Higher granularity (page elements, wild cards).Easy to enable/disable from with the browser on a per-site basis.Hosts file lists usually updated less often.Can only block entire domains (not individual elements).Difficult to enable/disable on a per-site basis.Blocks ads and malware across the entire OS, not just the browser.Domain resolutions take place at a very low level (so are quick).Those paying attention might notice similarities between blocking content using the Hosts file and the block-lists used by browser-based ad blockers such as AdBlock Plus and uBlock Origin. To use, simply cut & paste the host entries into your hosts file, then Save. The actual file in the repository you want is called hosts. StevenBlack defines a "high quality" source as one that is actively curated, with the bigger the hosts file, the more curation required! Malware Domain List at, updated regularly.Hosts file at, updated monthly, or thereabouts.The Adaway hosts file, updated regularly. ![]() It currently contains 27,148 unique entries amalgamated from the following "high quality" sources: The best of these that I know of is the StevenBlack’s Amalgamated host file, which "consolidates several reputable hosts files and merges them into a single amalgamated hosts file with duplicates removed." domains, which can be added to your hosts file. Host listsĪ number of websites provide lists of domains belonging to known adware and malware, etc. ![]() Instructions for editing the hosts file in Ubuntu and Mac OSX can be found here. ![]() To un-block a host, either delete its entry or add a # symbol in front of it. In our example, if you now visit you will find the website blocked. Note that editing the hosts file may cause an alert from your anti-virus program. 0.0.0.0 Multiple hosts can entered, with each one on a new line. File -> Open > c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.Search for Notepad, right-click, and Run as administrator.This means the hosts file can be edited to block the domain names of ad servers, banners, third party cookies, and assorted other malware, adware and spyware.įor example, adding the entry " 0.0.0.0 ad." to the hosts file will block all ads served by that DoubleClick server to any web page you visit.Ġ.0.0.0 is "a non-routable meta-address used to designate an invalid, unknown or non-applicable target." An alternative address often used is 127.0.0.1, which is the localhost address, but 0.0.0.0 is preferred as it is faster (does not wait for a timeout) and it does not interfere if a local web server is running. In most operating systems the host file is resolved in preference to DNS requests, so if the hosts file resolves the hostname, the request never leaves your computer. The Domain Name System (DNS) is a remote database used to translate the easy-to-understand and remember web addresses (URLs) that we are familiar with, to their ‘true’ numerical IP addresses that computers can understand: for example translating the domain name to its IP address of 198.41.187.186. The hosts file is a plain text file called hosts.txt that maps hostnames to IP addresses.
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