Some time back I had dozens (if not 100's) of entries in my hosts file to block known malware/adware sites. It was awkward and required near constant updating. At some point (memory does not serve me) I said "screw it" and now have a default hosts file, no additional entries. I rely on Malwarebytes Pro and Panda A/V and they seem to work for me. What is your approach to a healthy hosts file?
Main advantage using host file over browser plugin is system level protection, it can prevent or redirect applications access to the internet, thus also help prevent connecting to known malicious sites. I've been using MVPS.org's for around 7 years now not aware there are other options, Hostman is a good tool to have. Thanks sml156.
I prefer "screw it" approach with a default hosts file, well, I might have some additional entries, but for other reasons There was a time, a long time ago, when I installed SpywareBlaster for many computers (as an extra protection layer) - I think that SpywareBlaster was blocking malware sites too. Some adblockers are doing that too. Adguard is doing that on system level, but I disable always that browsing security protection as unnecessary (using only adblocker of Adguard). Adguard is using also "web of trust" extension - I am not using that either ... EDIT: if I remember right, a big hosts file might cause slower browsing speed (just to keep it in mind)
The most about the thread is about to avoid advertise... What on your computer should be connect to any malicious related? If something doing such its called malware, antivirus can avoid that, lol. For whole "system protection" i would not trust a short 100 KB suspect never updating hostfile alone. Use peerblock with several block-lists, several provided hostfiles, updating every few hours, - much better solution btw.
Under XP, I was using Spybot S&D Immunizer. I don't know whether it prevented anything, but I did encounter sites that wouldn't load for some reason. Under Windows 10, I haven't bothered with it yet to see what happens - no adverse effects so far. But bear in mind that browsers and many AVs have webguards that do the same job. I am of the opinion that these plus some commons sense enable an otherwise "screw it" attitude.
