Host File Repair

debitcardmayhem

In the light of this wonderful spate of System Tools infections many suggestions have been made to download various Host file repairers.
However if the affected can right click on Windows\System32\cmd.exe and run as admin then it is really should be simple as
running this in the command window (ie paste if possible)

cd \Windows\System32\drivers\etc
attrib -r HOSTS
copy HOSTS HOSTS.infected
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost > HOSTS
echo ::1 localhost >> HOSTS

Or I am being over simple (as usual:eek:). The copy step is not needed but it gives us a clue later if [STRIKE]we[/STRIKE] you wish to investigate.

Please feel free to shoot me down in flames.

jemr

Could you explain how I would know if my hosts file would need repair? Also, and sorry to appear stupid, but if I overwrite the file with a newer version, would it have an effect on my internet connection or the settings on my wireless router?

debitcardmayhem

jemr wrote: »

Could you explain how I would know if my hosts file would need repair? Also, and sorry to appear stupid, but if I overwrite the file with a newer version, would it have an effect on my internet connection or the settings on my wireless router?

Hi, I have posted this for review at the moment, but no you are not appearing stupid, I can sometimes but questions that you don't know the answer to are never that. I seem to remember you have suffered from the System Tools problems. Your hosts file should not interfere with your router , it will tell your PC what the IP address of say Google.com is (Think of the IP address as a telephone number so your PC can call google) Now the HOSTS file is a local file which your PC looks at first to see if it can find the address of Google locally. If not your PC asks your router to call "directory Enquiries" for you to get the number for Google.com . The router normally asks your ISP for this and there you go you can contact google. SOmetimes Malware hijacks your hosts file , and also hijacks your PC's TCP settings to use a fake number for google or to in some cases changes the "directory services" number to theirs. The directory services number is called DNS for Domain Name Services.
SO if you think you have a problem then let us(the royal we) know.
I can see your original post on the screen now so I will go back to that now and give you some pointers. OK hope that helps https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3082810

A.Penny.Saved

Or save yourself a great deal of time every time someone inserts a trojan into some ad provider to infect PC's and just run your browser in a sandbox. If anyone tries anything like that again just delete the sandbox and none of your system files will be altered. Just take steps to preserve bookmarks and deal with any extensions.

It won't fix current problems but prevention is easier than.....

But it looks like that should restore any unaltered hosts file, although earlier windows such as XP doesn't have the last line in it.

debitcardmayhem

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

Or save yourself a great deal of time every time someone inserts a trojan into some ad provider to infect PC's and just run your browser in a sandbox. If anyone tries anything like that again just delete the sandbox.

It won't fix current problems but prevention is easier than.....

But it looks like that should restore any unaltered hosts file, although earlier windows such as XP doesn't have the last line in it.

Yeah but het TCP/IP 6 is around the corner and it won't cause any harm either AFAIK