Host File Editor (Plus, Pro)

 

The Hosts File Editor allows you to block advertisement sites, reverse browser hijack entries, create navigation shortcuts, assist with parental controls and make other exceptions to regular Internet navigation.

 

Your Hosts File is used to associate host names with IP addresses. For example, the host name for Yahoo! is www.yahoo.com, while its IP address is 204.71.200.67. Both addresses will bring you to Yahoo!’s site, but the “www” address will first have to be translated into the IP address by your Hosts File.

 

Ad Aware 22hostfile editor Host File Editor

 

Using Hosts File Editor

The Hosts File Editor allows you to make changes to normal Internet navigation by redirecting a host name to a different IP address.

 

Some spyware and malware attempt to change your Hosts File in order to redirect your browsing to another site. You can use the Hosts File editor to reverse browser hijack attempts, block advertisements sites, and redirect your Internet navigation.

 

Computers have a host address of their own, which is known as the “localhost” address. The localhost IP address is 127.0.0.1. If you type in a host name to the Hosts File Editor, and then redirect it to your localhost IP address, you have effectively blocked that host, since all attempts to access it will lead back to your localhost. Using this method, you can block sites that serve advertisements, sites that serve objectionable content, or any other site that you choose.

 

The “Find” field allows you to search through your current Host File for a specific IP address or Host name.

 

The Hosts File Editor lists your current Hosts File information by:

· Status: Shows if the entry is active or inactive. Changes to your Hosts File will only occur when the status of an entry is marked “ACTIVE.” Check the box to change the status of the selected host name to active or non-active.
· Hostname: Shows the URL that leads to the IP address of the entry.
· IP: Shows the IP address of the entry.
· Comment: Allows you to write in a brief comment of your own about that specific entry.

 

Hosts File Editor Context Menu

Right-click within the “Current Host File” screen to open the context menu where you can choose from the following operations:

 

· Add new entry: Add a new entry to your Hosts File. After you choose to add a new entry, a new entry will appear in “Current Hosts File” list. You can then double-click within the hostname, IP address or comments column in order to add that information.
· Delete entry: Delete a specific entry. Highlight an entry and then select “Delete entry” in order to delete that entry.
· Flush: Reset your Hosts File into a single localhost entry. If selected, all of your current entries will be deleted.

 

 

 

Click “Import” to import other Host File entries info the Hosts File Editor.

 

Click “Export” to save your Hosts File as a text file.

 

Click “Save” to save the changes you made.

 

Click “Close” to close the Host File Editor.

 

Check the box beside “Write-Prot
ect Host File” to Write protect your Hosts File so that it cannot be altered by other programs.

 

 

 

 

Host File Editor