HOSTS File

This section was created to let Windows users browse the web without the ads, banners, cookies and most web hijackers. This is done by blocking the specific servers that are spreading these contents. To accomplish this, all you need to do is use the host file found in this site and you should be set.

If you want, you may take a look at the file before using it on your computer. What you will see is something like:

127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net

We have probably all encountered these doubleclick ads numerous times already. By using this hosts file, it will prevent them from showing up and also prevent any data to be collected from you.

All you have to do is download the HOSTS file and put in the corresponding directory:

Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME = C:\WINDOWS

But before you download and unzip it in the directory, make sure to rename the old HOSTS file to something like HOSTS.OLD just in case you might want to switch back.

You don't need to do anything else. Once the HOSTS file is in place, you won't see any of those nagging ads anymore, unless it's one that's listed in the HOSTS file. Some problems that you may have is not being able to go to a certain site. This is most likely because that site is considered to be one of the bad sites. If you still want to continue using it, you can just go into the HOSTS file and edit the file in Notepad. Just do a search for the site's name that you want access to and once found, put a # character all the way in front. For example, let's say you want to get access to the MyWay site:

#127.0.0.1 myway.com

After you are done with that, right click on the HOSTS file and choose Properties. Then make sure that Read Only is checked. This is to prevent any malicious program from modifying the HOSTS file.

If you find anything that you might want to add in, you can just do the same thing. Put the 127.0.0.1 first followed by a space and the name of the site/server. That will block it. Make sure to uncheck Read Only so that you can edit it and then check it back once you saved it.

HOSTS file used is provided by MVPS.