Host file? useful or slows down performance?

Question

I have been researching host files and have found contradicting opinions. Is a host file to redirect bad stuff to 127.0.0.1 a good idea or does it slow down the computers performance? I use Ie-spyad which I assume goes directly into the restricted sites list, however I also wanted to download MVP which I assume would use C:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/host. This folder already exists and I cant open it because it doesnt give me notepad as a choice.  I have also found other list I would like to use but that involves adding them to the existing file or can you have several host files separately?  One list had 9000 entries. The more I researched the more questions that arose such as a large host file could make the OS run slower. Can anybody clear this up for me? Should I not even think about using it or can someone tell me a simpler way to add different list together into one list?  I'm sorry this was suppose to be a simple question and I hope a simpler answer. I already use all of Antispyware programs suggested and have no problems that I know of. I am however switching from dial-up to cable and I am a little worried about being an open target afterwards. Thanks in advance for any advice.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Since you Spybot use its Option > Tools > "Hosts file" to view the contents of Hosts file.
It also allows the addition of Spybot recommended Hosts to block by clicking on "Add Spybot ..hosts list".
You have to start Spybot in Advanced mode to get option.
If you have easy mode on Desktop use "Start" > "All Programs" > "Spybot > (Advanced Mode).

You can also open the XP Hosts file by using Run & type
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc then click OK or press the "Enter" key.

Double click on hosts file & use "select the program from a list" , select "Notepad".

Spybot Advanced also has option to Immunize against a lot of Ad-ware/Spy-ware by using "Immunize".
It then shows extra four option to "Lock Hosts.... & IE , IE".
Don't lock Hosts first if you want to add to Hosts file with Spybot or another program.

I used to use Hosts file to translate many www.xxxxx.com to IP addresses but didn't see any improvement in speed.
Blocking some www.xxx.com sites in Hosts file won't show any slowdown in PC speed.
-----------------
You can view the Spybot Add Hosts list by Adding Spybot list then using Remove if you don't want them added.
Or by opening "Program Files" > "Spybot" > "includes" Folder then right click on Hosts.sbs file & select "Open with > "Notepad".

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 04-19-2004 08:55 PM

msgale · Answer

To view the host file in notepad, start notepad first start->accessories ->notepad.  Then  select open from notepad's file menu.  In the Files of types drop down select 'All Files'.  Then navigate to the correct folder/directory select the file you want and hit open.  That is all there is to it.

melmcbee · Answer

Thank-you MsGale, I notepad wasnt on the list of programs to use so using your way opened it.

gryjhnhpe , thanks for the info. Does that mean I can edit my host file through Spybot by unlocking the host file and using advance to add spybot host? Does this allow for a single entry or can I download a list off of the internet to it? Or should I add to the host file itself? And Lastly, I am confused on your opinion. Do you suggest using a host file or do you feel its a waste of time.

Can you have multiple host files? Or only one large one?

I am really sorry for the lame questions and I really appreciate both of you taking the time to answer me. I did already research the archives here and the links such as Steve Martin and a gorilla one(forgot the name; my apologies) And they just gave me more questions.

Thanks again to both of you.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

melmcbee wrote:....gryjhnhpe , thanks for the info. Does that mean I can edit my host file through Spybot by unlocking the host file and using advance to add spybot host?
You can use Spybot to Add the Spybot list as I have previously said , the list is quite large about 313KB & can be viewed by adding then remove or open file hosts.sbs as I have said previously.

The Hosts file isn't normally locked but can be locked after adding to by Spybot > Immunize > "Lock Hosts file". If you Lock Hosts file will probably prevent other programs from being able to Add to list.
I had a program & with Hosts file locked it doesn't add to list as expected.

Does this allow for a single entry or can I download a list off of the internet to it?
Spybot only allows you to Auto Add/Remove the complete Spybot list not single entries.
If you want to Add single entries download a FREE program or use "Notepad" to view hosts list & just type in new entry.

Most lists of the Internet are hosts.txt files & have to have name changed to hosts & then "Copy" hosts file & "Paste" to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc to replace the existing hosts file.

Or open the downloaded hosts.txt file with "Notepad" use right click "Select All" , "Copy" then open the existing hosts Folder \etc in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc & "Paste" to hosts file.
This way the downloaded hosts file content will be added to the exiting hosts file contents.

Or should I add to the host file itself?
If you want to try the hosts file I would use Spybot to add Spybot list then "Lock hosts file" to prevent external programs from auto adding to hosts list & thus preventing access to certain site by auto adding.

And Lastly, I am confused on your opinion. Do you suggest using a host file or do you feel its a waste of time.
I tried it to convert , ie: www.ramtha.com address to IP addresses of 218.118.88.16 & seemed like a waste of time as wasn't any faster.
Haven't tried to block certain site like shown in Spybot list as I use Spybot , Immunize to prevent ad-ware/spy-ware from being auto added by Spybot Immunize list.
Can you have multiple host files? Or only one large one?
Just one as active list.

JRosenfeld · Answer

A useful way to have Notepad as an option to open files is to add a shortcut to Notepad.exe in your Send To folder. Then right click on a file, click send to and Notepad will be on that list. You can, of course add a shortcut to any program you like in your send to folder.

Notepad.exe is in the Windows folder

Your Send to folder is at C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\SendTo

PS I have added the Spybot host file; no noticeable slowdown; third party adds on web pages don't display, which I find useful.

Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 04-19-2004 10:12 PM

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Info: To open 'Send To' Folder just use  'Run'  &  type sendto then click OK or press 'Enter' key.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

@JRosenfeld wrote:

A useful way to have Notepad as an option to open files is to add a shortcut to Notepad.exe in your Send To folder. Then right click on a file, click send to and Notepad will be on that list. You can, of course add a shortcut to any program you like in your send to folder.

Strange ! I have added a "Send To > Notepad" & placed a Shortcut to the hosts file on Desktop & when I right click it & select "Send To > Notepad" is opens the Notepad with contents of:
------------------
@L        À      F›   !    O©¥�Â°h†*‡&Ä O©¥�ÂÞ                     M PàOÐ ê:i¢Ø +00� /F:\                   < 1         WINDOWS & ï¾           W I N D O W S   @ 1         system32 ( ï¾           s y s t e m 3 2   < 1         drivers & ï¾           d r i v e r s   0 1         etc ï¾           e t c   6 2 Þ Ù,Ï¬! hosts " ï¾Ù,Ï¬”0   h o s t s      ^            7       ]         àèVl   XP HME SP1 F:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts + . . \ . . \ . . \ W I N D O W S \ s y s t e m 3 2 \ d r i v e r s \ e t c \ h o s t s F : \ W I N D O W S \ s y s t e m 3 2 \ d r i v e r s \ e t c    %   ©   `   X       hope2           |q!™ÆhÄM¡›;¤J!€ù�«~E—‘Ø¬Ñ“gwËÓ/|q!™ÆhÄM¡›;¤J!€ù�«~E—‘Ø¬Ñ“gwËÓ/
----------------------

When I open the hosts file by double click & "selecet the program from a list" , ie: Notepad I get:
--------------------------------
# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost
------------------

Anyone know why the jibbeshis.?

----------------
Edit:
Must be just the data of the Shorcut.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 04-20-2004 03:45 PM

jwatt · Answer

Strange ! I have added a 'Send To > Notepad' & placed a Shortcut to the hosts file on Desktop & when I right click it & select 'Send To > Notepad' is opens the Notepad with contents of... I think you sent Notepad the contents of the link file on the desktop, rather than the contents of the file the link points to. Jim

alan321 · Answer

I was checking out my hosts from the spybot program and noticed there must be hundreds of them.Is this bad? If so could i or should i remove them somehow and start over clean?

alan321 · Answer

Thank you for your reply

JRosenfeld · Answer

It's quite normal. Many advertising and 'bad' sites use many or frequently change addresses, precisely in order to get round blockers. Some of the entries relate to sites that send tracking cookies or may download spyware. Several Hosts files you can get by searching the net have even more entries than Sybot's. I don't think that they do any harm in Hosts; it doesn't take IE many milliseconds to search through it and you would not notice a difference. On the other hand, you can of course delete any or all of the entries (delete the whole line, don't leave blank line), should you find that a site you do want is blocked.

Windows General

Host file? useful or slows down performance?

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