#Amalgamated hosts file

This repo consolidates several reputable hosts files and consolidates them into a single hosts file that you can use.

Currently this hosts file contains 25536 unique entries.

Source of host data amalgamated here

Currently the hosts files from the following locations are amalgamated:

• MVPs.org Hosts file at http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm, updated monthly, or thereabouts.
• Dan Pollock at http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/ updated regularly.
• My own small list in raw form here.

You can add any additional sources you'd like under the data/ directory. Provide a copy of the current hosts file and a file called update.info with the URL to the hosts file source. This will allow updateHostsFile.py to automatically update your source.

Using updateHostsFile.py

This Python script will generate a unique hosts file based on the sources provided. You can either have the script go out and fetch an updated version over the web (defined by the update.info text file in the source's directory), or it will use the hosts file you already have checked into your source's data folder.

Usage

python updateHostsFile.py

What is a hosts file?

A hosts file, named hosts (with no file extension), is a plain-text file used by all operating systems to map hostnames to IP addresses.

In most operating systems, the hosts file is preferential to DNS. Therefore if a host name is resolved by the hosts file, the request never leaves your computer.

Having a smart hosts file goes a long way towards blocking malware, adware, and other irritants.

For example, to nullify requests to some doubleclick.net servers, adding these lines to your hosts file will do it:

# block doubleClick's servers
127.0.0.1 ad.ae.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.ar.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.at.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.au.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.be.doubleclick.net
# etc...

Location of your hosts file

To modify your current hosts file, look for it in the following places and modify it with a text editor.

Mac OS X, iOS, Android, Linux: /etc/hosts folder.

Windows: %SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts folder.

Reloading hosts file

Your operating system will cache DNS lookups. You can either reboot or run the following commands to manually flush your DNS cache once the new hosts file is in place.

Mac OS X

Open a Terminal and run:

dscacheutil -flushcache

Windows

Open a Command Prompt:

Windows XP: Start -> Run -> cmd

Windows Vista, 7: Start Button -> type cmd -> right-click Command Prompt -> "Run as Administrator"

Windows 8: Start -> Swipe Up -> All Apps -> Windows System -> right-click Command Prompt -> "Run as Administrator"

and run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Linux

Open a Terminal and run:

/etc/rc.d/init.d/nscd restart

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