cd108 Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 To the best of my understanding SpyAD IS a host file, its just dressed up a bit nicer, in that case is there any real advantage in downloading the host file located here (or indeed any other host file like it) http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm and installing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 IE/SPYAD is not a hosts file.IE/SPYAD is a registry script that adds thousands of known bad sites to the "Restricted Sites" list of Internet Explorer.Sites in this list will not be able to download cookies to your computer or run any ActiveX controls that are on their pages. You will still be able to view the sites, but they will not be able to install any malware to your computer.A hosts file works differently:The Hosts file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. This file is loaded into memory at startup, then Windows checks the Hosts file before it queries any DNS servers, which enables it to override addresses in the DNS. This prevents access to the listed sites by redirecting any connection attempts back to the local machine.Probably gone and confused you even more now :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd108 Posted October 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Nope got ya know, i was under the impression SpyAD also just blocked the sites, Didnt realise it just increased browser security settings for these sites. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd108 Posted October 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, the directory to install host files too in WIN XP is C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC, now the question is can we replace the existing one or is it nesscessary to add the new one to the old. Note the existing one is a default i have not installed any host file previously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 You can make a backup and name it hosts.old and copy the new one in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd108 Posted October 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 After a bit more digging ive found out that my default file was created by Spy bot way way way back, it deosnt actually contain any entries <blush> other than #start of entries by spy bot end of entries entered by spy bot#. Apoligies guys if id looked in it sooner i wouldnt be asking silly questions, gonna chalk that one up too experience :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 He who never made a mistake, never created anything. I'm still on part one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 knowledge is power and learning from mistakes is a good way to get knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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