Guide to Managing Your Computer’s Hosts File

The hosts file in Symbian, Windows, Android, Mac and Linux operating systems is used to map hostnames to IP addresses. Networked-programs on your system can consult this file to determine an IP address that corresponds to a hostname. IT administrators and home users should protect the file from unauthorized modifications. The use of customized hosts files to block malicious advertisements and links has become a safe computing practice, but malware and rogue programs can still modify the file, if left unprotected.

Find articles and advice in configuring, updating and securing the file in this guide. You can also learn which antivirus, anti-spyware or firewall software has the ability to prevent changes in a hosts file.

Top Two Free Hosts File Managers Security and privacy conscious users know a Hosts file in a system requires protection because malware authors are using this unmonitored and unprotected file to stop users in visiting...	How to Use Spybot – Search & Destroy Spybot – Search & Destroy is a tool to scan and remove malware. It also provides real-time protection using TeaTimer, SDHelper and Immunization. This article provides tips...
How to Block Ads in IE8 There are many ways to block Ads while you browse using Internet Explorer 8 and this article will describe the steps in using InPrivate and Hosts file to block ads....	Tips on Ubuntu Restricting Sites: Firefox Guide In this article I will give you two tips to restrict access to certain websites in Firefox (or other browsers). One is a very simple way involving one file while the other is...

Help! My Hosts File is Missing!

Looking for your hosts file and now you can't find it? Then this article is for you. Relax, all is not lost....

Top Two Free Hosts File Managers

Security and privacy conscious users know a Hosts file in a system requires protection because malware authors are using this unmonitored and unprotected file to stop users in visiting good websites. Here's...

The Hosts File in Windows 7

With the recent release of Windows 7 in October 2009, it is imperative for security professionals to continue to understand and be aware of areas that could impact the security of a computer system. In...

Internet Site Blocking and Unblocking Tutorial

There are many ways to block and unblock websites or IP address. Find out what your options are to prevent seeing unwanted websites....

What are Heuristics?

Most people will probably have heard of heuristic anti-virus detection, but what exactly is it and what are its benefits? This article will explain all....

Help! My Hosts File is Missing!

Looking for your hosts file and now you can't find it? Then this article is for you. Relax, all is not lost....

Linux Hosts File Explained

Linux hosts file isn't the most vital file on your Linux machine but if you know how to use it, you will certainly benefit from this. Learn more about the Linux hosts file....