[SOLVED] Host File

**Go The Power** · 06-28-2007, 05:28 AM

Hello

,
I wanted to block a website on my parents computer, and I went to open up the Hosts file. And I saw two hosts file one called HOST and the other host2, and too my knowledge i thought there was only meant to be one?
There was also another strange Host file in the folder it was called Host.ics, does anyone know what this is?

Also I was unable to block Myspace. I tested it out I could block google fine and other websites just not Myspace.com

Here is what I typed in for it:
127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com

And for google I had:
127.0.0.1 www.google.com

Any help would be great.

**Glaswegian** · 06-28-2007, 12:34 PM

Hi Alex

The .ics is just a text file with calendar information. the second Hosts file is likely a backup - you can open it with Notepad and check the contents.

I have myspace in my Hosts file and Firefox won't let me go there. Have you re-booted and tried again?

**Go The Power** · 06-28-2007, 03:42 PM

Hi Iain and thanks for your reply.

I opened up the second Host file. There were some nasties in there.

My Parents use IE6. I tried rebooting and it did not work?

**koala** · 06-28-2007, 04:22 PM

Open the HOSTS file in Notepad. Save a backup, then delete all entries except for 127.0.0.1 localhost. Save the file (make sure you don't save as *.txt) and reboot.

**Kalim** · 06-28-2007, 04:42 PM

I've actually blocked MySpace just 2 days back, though using SurfControl I have it blocked anyway, but just in case. It works here too.

The HOSTS file is loaded in random access memory many times for ease.

You can block the site in your firewall too BTW.

Type the above as koala stated in the HOSTS file. Try leaving 2 gaps after 127.0.0.1 as so:

127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com

**Go The Power** · 06-29-2007, 12:50 AM

Thanks Koala and Kalim. I have removed the nasties.

I did put in more spaces just when I typed it out on here and sent in the post it went straight back to one space.

**Kalim** · 06-29-2007, 01:13 AM

Alex

The HOSTS file is supposed to contain "nasty" sites inside, because those are all the sites it will block.

You can have SpybotS&D entries and the MVPS HOSTS file both integrated into one another, aswell as any custom sites you'd like to block. Very effective TBH.

There will also be another HOSTS backup file created there as Iain advised earlier, BTW.

Did blocking myspace work this time?

**Go The Power** · 06-29-2007, 01:19 AM

Sorry If i was unclear they were entries that were not meant to be there.

I am trying a tool out now. And I will report how it goes.

**Go The Power** · 06-29-2007, 02:10 AM

All done it is now blocked thank you Glas, Koala and Kalim much appreciated

Also, is there a way to block programs that need the internet? for example MSN

**Kalim** · 06-29-2007, 02:23 AM

You're welcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go The Power

Also, is there a way to block programs that need the internet? for example MSN

Yes, through a firewall though. Which firewall do you use?

**Go The Power** · 06-29-2007, 02:27 AM

It is not one my computer it is on my parents. They use Norton

, My mum just wont listen to me

**TheMatt** · 06-30-2007, 04:18 PM

Are you behind a router? If so, block these ports on the IP of your parents' computer:
TCP 6891 - 6900
TCP/UDP 1863
UDP 5190
TCP/UDP 6901

**Go The Power** · 06-30-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

Are you behind a router? If so, block these ports on the IP of your parents' computer:
TCP 6891 - 6900
TCP/UDP 1863
UDP 5190
TCP/UDP 6901

Thanks for your reply.

If I do this what will it block?

**Kalim** · 06-30-2007, 06:34 PM

On my system, Windows Live Messenger requires access to TCP ports 1938, 1989, 1990, 2019-2030 and TCP/UDP 1863.

**Go The Power** · 06-30-2007, 06:43 PM

Maybe you guys have different versions of messenger?

I was reading on this website: Click Here

And it mentioned:

Quote:

Another feature of the HOSTS file is its ability to block other applications from connecting to the Internet, providing the entry

But it did not explain how?

**TheMatt** · 06-30-2007, 07:23 PM

I don't know of a way to use th Hosts file for that.

Are you on a router? MSN Messenger uses a wide range of ports, and I posted the ones that will mostly disable it. TCP/UDP 1863 is the main one, but there are a bunch of others as well, including port 80 (HTTP) for one feature which I forget.

**Go The Power** · 06-30-2007, 07:27 PM

Yea we have got a router. I cant currently get onto their computer, but when I can I will post back.

**TheMatt** · 06-30-2007, 07:41 PM

You can log onto the router from anywhere on the network as long as you know the password.

**Go The Power** · 06-30-2007, 07:47 PM

I am not currently on the network, I am at a friends place.

**TheMatt** · 06-30-2007, 08:01 PM

Ahh, OK.

06-28-2007, 05:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	[SOLVED] Host File Hello , I wanted to block a website on my parents computer, and I went to open up the Hosts file. And I saw two hosts file one called HOST and the other host2, and too my knowledge i thought there was only meant to be one? There was also another strange Host file in the folder it was called Host.ics, does anyone know what this is? Also I was unable to block Myspace. I tested it out I could block google fine and other websites just not Myspace.com Here is what I typed in for it: 127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com And for google I had: 127.0.0.1 www.google.com Any help would be great. __________________

06-28-2007, 12:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Glaswegian Moderator/ Rangemaster TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team; Oor Wullie; TSF Surgeon and Resident Comic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 25,389 OS: Win XP Pro SP3 / Win 7 Pro My System Blog Entries: 10	Re: Host File Hi Alex The .ics is just a text file with calendar information. the second Hosts file is likely a backup - you can open it with Notepad and check the contents. I have myspace in my Hosts file and Firefox won't let me go there. Have you re-booted and tried again? __________________ Iain - Defender of the Haggis and all things Scottish. I don't help by PM - post in the Forums. PC Safety & Security::PC running a bit slow?::Donate::Photographers Corner

06-28-2007, 03:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File Hi Iain and thanks for your reply. I opened up the second Host file. There were some nasties in there. My Parents use IE6. I tried rebooting and it did not work? __________________

06-28-2007, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,317 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Host File Open the HOSTS file in Notepad. Save a backup, then delete all entries except for 127.0.0.1 localhost. Save the file (make sure you don't save as *.txt) and reboot. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

06-28-2007, 04:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	Re: Host File I've actually blocked MySpace just 2 days back, though using SurfControl I have it blocked anyway, but just in case. It works here too. The HOSTS file is loaded in random access memory many times for ease. You can block the site in your firewall too BTW. Type the above as koala stated in the HOSTS file. Try leaving 2 gaps after 127.0.0.1 as so: 127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com

06-29-2007, 12:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File Thanks Koala and Kalim. I have removed the nasties. I did put in more spaces just when I typed it out on here and sent in the post it went straight back to one space. __________________

06-29-2007, 01:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	Re: Host File Alex The HOSTS file is supposed to contain "nasty" sites inside, because those are all the sites it will block. You can have SpybotS&D entries and the MVPS HOSTS file both integrated into one another, aswell as any custom sites you'd like to block. Very effective TBH. There will also be another HOSTS backup file created there as Iain advised earlier, BTW. Did blocking myspace work this time?

06-29-2007, 01:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File Sorry If i was unclear they were entries that were not meant to be there. I am trying a tool out now. And I will report how it goes. __________________

06-29-2007, 02:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File All done it is now blocked thank you Glas, Koala and Kalim much appreciated Also, is there a way to block programs that need the internet? for example MSN __________________

06-29-2007, 02:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File It is not one my computer it is on my parents. They use Norton , My mum just wont listen to me __________________

06-30-2007, 04:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Host File Are you behind a router? If so, block these ports on the IP of your parents' computer: TCP 6891 - 6900 TCP/UDP 1863 UDP 5190 TCP/UDP 6901 __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-30-2007, 06:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	Re: Host File On my system, Windows Live Messenger requires access to TCP ports 1938, 1989, 1990, 2019-2030 and TCP/UDP 1863.

06-30-2007, 07:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Host File I don't know of a way to use th Hosts file for that. Are you on a router? MSN Messenger uses a wide range of ports, and I posted the ones that will mostly disable it. TCP/UDP 1863 is the main one, but there are a bunch of others as well, including port 80 (HTTP) for one feature which I forget. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-30-2007, 07:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File Yea we have got a router. I cant currently get onto their computer, but when I can I will post back. __________________

06-30-2007, 07:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Host File You can log onto the router from anywhere on the network as long as you know the password. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-30-2007, 07:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 10,971 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Host File I am not currently on the network, I am at a friends place. __________________

06-30-2007, 08:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Host File Ahh, OK. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides