7 replies to this topic

[stint]

Any of the experts here recommend adding particular pests like Doubleclick to Hosts as means to speed up surfing ??

http://accs-net.com/..._use_hosts.html
http://forums.speedg...hp/t-30675.html

THX to all for good info

[cww]

I’m not an expert but I’ve read a bit about HOSTS files and use one. Unless you’re using the bog standard hosts file that comes with Windows (i.e. an ‘empty’ file) I’d think all HOSTS files will already include, e.g. Doubleclick – plus a lot more.

I doubt you’ll notice an appreciable difference is surfing speed but a HOSTS file will help to keep you safer on the net.

Although still relevant, the accs-net site is well out of date now. There’s some useful info at Wikipedia (among other places).

If you install a HOSTS file you’ll probably see ‘broken’ images or bits of ‘page not found’ info where the ads would appear – eDexter will tidy that up, but go to Pyrenean for it as the latest version (1.42) is hosted there, as opposed to version 1.34 via the accs-net site.

Among the more popular HOSTS files are:

mvps: http://www.mvps.org/...p2002/hosts.htm

HOSTS File Project (Andrew Short): http://hostsfile.mine.nu/

hpguru’s HOSTS file: http://www.hosts-file.net/

‘Blackspear’ has posted some good info on how to set up a HOSTS file at Wilders Security – when you’ve finished, just remember to go and change back the settings as per 2) in his first post

[Andavari]

HostsMan is a free program that will download HOSTS files and even protect the HOSTS file.

I personally prefer to use my own homemade HOSTS file to only block the junk I don't want on my system. Using already pre-made ones can block you from some sites that you don't deem annoying, etc., although they do make things easy as you won't have to gradually compile a list of block sites over several years hence it will already be done for you.

[cww]

There's a lot to be said for creating your own. I used one which blocked me from BoingBoing but allowed me to use the search engine at Snopes - another allowed me to see BoingBoing but blocked the Snopes search. Never did get that answered and, as far as I could see, there's no problem with either site.

One of the drawbacks of creating your own is that you need to know the 'bad' sites to be put in it - here's a text version of the msvp HOSTS file - scroll down and see how many sites are blocked... and that's a small HOSTS file in comparison to some.

If you install a HOSTS file and want to see a site which is blocked it's easy to delete an entry (use, e.g. Notepad, not e.g. Word), or you can just put a # in front of the 127.0.0.1 in front of the name of the site you want access to.

[Mike Rochip]

cww, on Mar 23 2006, 08:00 AM, said:

or you can just put a # in front of the 127.0.0.1 in front of the name of the site you want access to.

Thanks for the tip, a lot faster than editing and makes it easier to 'add' the site back into the list !

[cww]

Well, you still have to go in to the HOSTS file to add the # but, yes, it makes it a lot quicker to add the site back in.

Of course, there's a reason why it's blocked in the first place so I only do it if I'm certain the site is there by 'mistake'.

[Mike Rochip]

cww, on Mar 25 2006, 02:45 AM, said:

Well, you still have to go in to the HOSTS file to add the # but, yes, it makes it a lot quicker to add the site back in.

Of course, there's a reason why it's blocked in the first place so I only do it if I'm certain the site is there by 'mistake'.

I recently tried removing ads.doubleclick.net because Windows Media Player said in it's error file that it was preventing me from viewing embedded videos because it was blocked. Removing it didn't help so needless to say I immediately added it back in. I HATE doubleclick !

I also hate Windows Media Player.

[Andavari]

Mike Rochip, on Mar 25 2006, 04:02 AM, said:

I HATE doubleclick !

I also hate Windows Media Player.

I don't like doubleclick either however I haven't seen an ad or cookie of there's on my system for years because I effectively block them. I also don't care for WMP especially since it automatically connects to the web even when not playing anything from a website.