MVPS Hosts

Dave_C_2

On my PCs I always use the MVPS hosts file This not only cuts down on the adverts on web pages but also provides some protection from nasties - along with MBAM and Avira.

No mention of this has been made in the recent threads about the system tools virus. Is there any reason for this?

Just curious

Browntoa

most of these "system tool" type infections mutate all the time and will download their payload from continually changing URL's , would not rely on the MVPS hosts file keeping up to date with them

esuhl

I used the hosts file to block malware domains in the days of Windows 98, but it can be a pain to maintain (or if you don't maintain it, will get out-of-date pretty quickly).

Many anti-malware applications will block malware domains and can be updated with minimal effort. Some (such as Spybot - I think) will update your hosts file, while other applications will use other techniques to block access to malware domains.

I don't see any advantage in maintaining the hosts file yourself these days.

spenderdave

Long time user of the MVPS, works vfb on windows XP, update it a couple of times a year or so, not necessary to do more often.

Toxteth_OGrady

This is better and updates automatically:

http://download.cnet.com/HostsMan/3000-2381_4-10409169.html

JJ_Egan

Found it easier to manually add stuff to the hosts file if needed .

jje

poppy10_2

Dave_C wrote: »

On my PCs I always use the MVPS hosts file This not only cuts down on the adverts on web pages but also provides some protection from nasties - along with MBAM and Avira.

No mention of this has been made in the recent threads about the system tools virus. Is there any reason for this?

It's an outdated method, I used to use a hosts file for ad-blocking, but there are so many better techniques out there now. Firefox + adblock will automatically update its advert filters every day or so, whereas with a hosts file you have to wait for an update, and remember to change it over manually. Plus it will through up a UAC prompt if you try to make any changes in the system32/etc/drivers folder, which can be off-putting to many. And the hosts file can slow down your connection a bit, as the system can "hang" while attempting to connect to 127.0.0.1 each time. And you get "this page cannot be displayed" error boxes everywhere an ad should be, instead of the space just collapsing down with Adblock

MBAM plus Adblock does the same job far better.

esuhl

To add to the above, Adblock Plus doesn't just block adverts - there's a "malware domains" list you can subscribe to too.