Folks ... sorry for the delay (again) in getting out an update ... just got out of the Hospital ... I now have some severe health issues to deal with (complete Kidney failure ... need a Kidney transplant) plus another operation ... large needles inserted into my spine ...however I will try to better maintain the MVPS HOSTS file. Well just got back from Hospital again (excessive water in lungs) If you could ... please consider a donation. Thanks to all that contributed ... every little bit helps.
What it does ...
You can use a modified HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers and possibly unwanted programs. This is accomplished by blocking the connection(s) that supplies these little gems. The Hosts file is loaded into memory (cache) at startup, so there is no need to turn on, adjust or change any settings with the exception of the DNS Client service (see below). Windows automatically looks for the existence of a HOSTS file and if found, checks the HOSTS file first for entries to the web page you just requested. The 0.0.0.0 (prefix) is considered the location of your computer, so when an entry listed in the MVPS HOSTS file is requested on a page you are viewing, your computer thinks 0.0.0.0 is the location of the file. When this file is not located it skips onto the next file and thus the ad server is blocked from loading the banner, Cookie, or some unscrupulous tracker, or javascript file.
Example - the following entry 0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net blocks all files supplied by that DoubleClick Server to the web page you are viewing. This also prevents the server from tracking your movements. Why? ... because in certain cases 'Ad Servers' like Doubleclick (and many others) will try silently to open a separate connection on the webpage you are viewing, record your movements then yes ... follow you to additional sites you may visit.
Using a well designed HOSTS file can speed the loading of web pages by not having to wait for these ads, annoying banners, hit counters, etc. to load. This also helps to protect your Privacy and Security by blocking sites that may track your viewing habits, also known as 'click-thru tracking' or Data Miners. Simply using a HOSTS file is not a cure-all against all the dangers on the Internet, but it does provide another very effective 'Layer of Protection'.
In case you're wondering ... this all happens in microseconds, which is much faster than trying to fetch a file from half way around the world. Another great feature of the HOSTS file is that it is a two-way file, meaning if some parasite does get into your system (usually bundled with other products) the culprit can not get out (call home) as long as the necessary entries exist. This is why it's important to keep your HOSTS file up to Date. Get notified of MVPS HOSTS updates.
Special Note: new Windows 10 users ... the MVPS Hosts file installs just fine, no need to make any changes.
Simply follow the instructions for Windows 10/8
MVPS HOSTS includes entries for most major parasites, hijackers and unwanted Adware/Spyware programs!
Started providing a HOSTS file in 1998 ... and now celebrating 20 yrs. proudly still the #1 rated HOSTS file on Google ...
To view the HOSTS file in plain text form. (345 kb) (opens in new browser) Note: The text version also makes a terrific searchable reference for determining possible unwanted connections. Download:hosts.zip [Updated October-25-2020]
Important Note: The HOSTS file now contains a change in the prefix in the HOSTS entries to '0.0.0.0' instead of the usual '127.0.0.1'. This was done to resolve a slowdown issue that occurs with the change Microsoft made in the 'TCP loopback interface' in Win8.1. This change in the prefix should not affect everyday users. I've had some feedback that COMODO antivirus, and System Mechanic seems to have issues with the '0.0.0.0' prefix ... to resolve this issue:
You can use the 'Replace' function in Notepad to convert the entries, or either of these freeware utilities (see below) has an option for converting the entries from '0.0.0.0' to '127.0.0.1.
This download includes a simple batch file (mvps.bat) that will rename the existing HOSTS file to HOSTS.MVP then copy the included updated HOSTS file to the proper location. For more information please see the Windows version that applies to you ...
Windows 10/8 install instructions see here
Windows 7 requires special instructions see here
When you run the (mvps.bat) batch file - right-click and select: Run as Administrator. Once updated you should see another prompt that the task was completed. Some users may see a pop-up from certain Security programs about changes to the HOSTS file. Allow the change ... however if you see this pop-up (changes to the HOSTS file) at any other time ... investigate. Download Information: (checksum info is on the HOSTS file itself not the 'hosts.zip') MD5: 5B269EA131819DEFF186B33189C7AAD6 SHA-1: 16B35D3AAFEDDD05D9027C8C020B882E419CEB6D Manual Install Method - Unzip in a 'temp' folder and place in the appropriate installed location:
If you are having trouble downloading or extracting the HOSTS file [click here] Note: the below locations are for the typical default paths, edit as needed.
Run autoruns64.exe as ADMINISTRATOR and wait until it finishes it's scan.
In the program menu under OPTIONS, uncheck the 'Hide Windows Entries' option
Go to the Services tab, scroll down to the Dnscache entry and clear (uncheck) the checkmark.
You can FILE / SAVE, to save a copy of the new configuration settings.
Close autoruns64, reboot and check the services manager -- DNS Client is disabled. [screenshot]
If you decide that you want the DNS Client service running ... You can make a little batch file that will flush the DNS whenever you desire. Open Notepad and enter the following:
ipconfig /flushdns
Then File > Save As > change the file type to All files, and name the batch file to flushdns.bat and place it in your Windows folder.
Locate flushdns.bat right-click and select Send To > Desktop as shortcut.
Windows 10 (early versions) /8/7
In most cases the DNS Client Service is not needed, it is recommended to turn it off. These instructions are intended for a single (home-user) PC. If your machine is part of a 'Domain', check with your IT Dept. before applying this work-around. This especially applies to Laptop users who travel or bring their work machines home. Make sure to reset the Service (if needed) prior to connecting (reboot required) to your work Domain ...
To resolve this issue (manually) open the 'Services Editor'
Start | Run (type) 'services.msc' (no quotes) Win8 users - Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
Scroll down to 'DNS Client', Right-click and select: Properties - click Stop
Click the drop-down arrow for 'Startup type'
Select: Manual (recommended) or Disabled click Apply/Ok and restart.
Hostsman includes an option to turn off the DNS Service [screenshot]
When set to Manual you can see that the above 'Service' is not needed (after a little browsing - when set to Manual) by opening the Services Editor again, scroll down to DNS Client and check the 'Status' column. It should be blank, if it was needed it would show 'Started' in that column. There are several Utilities that can reset the DNS Client for you ... [more info]
Important! If you are using Network Discovery then the DNS Client service is required and should not be set to either Manual or Disabled.
Workaround for using the MVPS HOSTS file and leaving the DNS Client service enabled (set to: Automatic)
If you find after a period of time that your browser seems sluggish with the DNS Client service enabled you can manually flush the DNS cache
Close all browser windows ... open a 'Command Prompt' from the Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt Win8 users - Charms Bar > Search > (type) command prompt > Select: Command Promt (left pane) Ok the UAC prompt
(type) ipconfig /flushdns (press Enter) Then close the Command Prompt ...
A better Win10/8/7 workaround would be to add two Registry entries to control the amount of time the DNS cache is saved. (KB318803)
Flush the existing DNS cache (see above)
Start > Run (type) regedit Win8 users - from the Charms Bar, select: Search (type) run and select Run (left pane) and (type) 'regedit' (no quotes)
Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesDnscacheParameters
Click Edit > New > DWORD Value (type) MaxCacheTtl
Click Edit > New > DWORD Value (type) MaxNegativeCacheTtl
Next right-click on the MaxCacheTtl entry (right pane) and select: Modify and change the value to 1
The MaxNegativeCacheTtl entry should already have a value of 0 (leave it that way - see screenshot)
Close Regedit and reboot ...
As usual you should always backup your Registry before editing ... see Regedit Help under 'Exporting Registry files'
For all other Questions, Issues and Solutions - see:The HOSTS File FAQ For detailed Download and Extract Instructions - see: Download Help
Related Utilities
Hosts File Editor ... great little freeware program with all the features of Hostsman ...
HostsMan is a freeware application that lets you manage, Edit and Enable/Disable your Hosts file. Includes an option to turn off the unneeded DNS Client Service. [screenshot] This also has an option to update the existing HOSTS file when needed. Important! - make sure you select: Default action - Overwrite
Once installed locate the Hostsman location, right-click on 'hm.exe' and select: Properties Click the Compatibility tab and select: 'Run as Administrator' [screenshot]
Note: seems abelhadigital.com no longer exists. I have saved a copy of Hostsman, the installer version, since several other sites still offer Hostsman.
Rename the HOSTS file on the fly ... a simple one click batch file.
PowerShell script to automatically download, unzip and update the local host file. macOs version Another PowerShell version ...
Other Programs using the MVPS HOSTS file
HOW TO DEPLOY MVPS HOSTS FILE ON AN ANDROID PHONE (requires rooted device)
uBlock Origin (for Google Chrome - screenshot) The extension is available for several browsers: Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Pale Moon, as well as versions of Safari ...
HostsEdit - Command line utility for editing Windows HOSTS file
Linux and Mac Users
Although I do not use either Linux or a Mac, I often get requests for 'How To' on that system, so here are a few resources:
AdBlock by FutureMind (paid app $2.99) Enables hosts file to be loaded into unrooted/non-jailbroken iPhones and iPads.
Various Troubleshooting Articles
Lost my red light camera ticket, Pay or Search for Parking and Red-light Tickets On-line. City of Chicago:: Pay, Check Status or Search for Parking, Red Light & Automated Speed Enforcement Tickets Make Your Voting Plan.
So basically, if someone makes a list of all the domains where bad things happen, we can redirect them all to 0.0.0.0 in our hosts file, and make our own Web a much cooler place. One project to gather them all. There is nothing new in what I am describing here. Cool people have been doing this for years, sharing their host files.
The optimizer makes full use of domainname based wildcard filtering.doubleclick.net, this reduces the chance of missing any new subdomains and significantly reduces the size of the blocklists. Hostnames that cannot be blocked on a domain level will still be listed in a regular hostname based.
To contribute a listing for our resources, or any other comments:Contact
Thanks to everyone involved for providing the online update notices for the HOSTS file. These updates are posted to most major security related sites, Newsgroups, and mailing lists, blogs etc. Get notified of MVPS HOSTS updates.
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Oct 17, 2018 · A Red Light Camera Ticket. I got the notice in the mail about two weeks later and there was a lot of money at stake – $490 to be precise. Then there was the matter of points on my driving record, potentially increasing my insurance costs.
