Chris Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Mike Skallas' Ad Blocking Hosts fileWhat is a hosts file and how does this work?A hosts file tells your computer what numerical address (209.61.186.253) is associated with what URL (www.everythingisnt.com.) . This file is a very simple hack which takes ad server URLs and redirects them to non-existant numerical addresses.In other words we're fooling the internet. Its pretty simple and it works. Tens of thousands of people use it everyday with no problems.More | Here.Download | Here.I've used this and it does work. Pages do load faster, but some websites do look a mess with the Red-X-Square where the ad should be. However I no longer use it...There is AlsoWhat is the Hosts file?You can begin blocking ads and help keep yourself from being tracked by using the Hosts file with Windows and other operating systems.What is the Hosts file, and how does it stop ads and tracking? The Short Answer: The short answer is that the Hosts file is like an address book. When you type an address like www.yahoo.com into your browser, the Hosts file is consulted to see if you have the IP address, or "telephone number," for that site. If you do, then your computer will "call it" and the site will open. If not, your computer will ask your ISP's (internet service provider) computer for the phone number before it can "call" that site. Most of the time, you do not have addresses in your "address book," because you have not put any there. Therefore, most of the time your computer asks for the IP address from your ISP to find sites. If you put ad server names into your Hosts file with your own computer's IP address, your computer will never be able to contact the ad server. It will try to, but it will be simply calling itself and get a "busy signal" of sorts. Your computer will then give up calling the ad server and no ads will be loaded, nor will any tracking take place. Your choices for blocking sites are not just limited to blocking ad servers. You may block sites that serve advertisements, sites that serve objectionable content, or any other site that you choose to block.More | Here.Aside | Remember ADs pay for certain sites! Will there be a day when we have to pay for access because everyone uses a modified HOSTS file? Me thinks not, but I could be wrong...;)But not WF, do you see an AD? :DEdit: whoops had something the wrong way round! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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