> > I use the hosts file to block ads during web browsing. > > > I'd be interested in this - do you have a URL where I can RTFM?
http://7deadlysins.ath.cx/files.php#hosts is where i got it from. More similar lists http://www.smartin-designs.com/ Here's the notes that came with the one i got originally. I use 0.0.0.0 ################################################ Ad-Blocking hosts File ---------------------- Compiled by Jim Pocalyko http://7deadlysins.ath.cx jimpocalyko at earthlink dot net Released 12/28/2002 Last Revised 4/26/2003 About ----- This file contains a list of common webhosts that serve popup and/or banner ads on the Internet. I compiled this list from various sources, and the list is constantly growing, if you wish to help, don't hesitate to contact me. This file can replace or add to your existing hosts file. It redirects all requests that appear in the list to localhost (127.0.0.1). This will cause the least browser slowdown and shouldn't set off any security alerts on properly configured firewalls. If you are running a webserver on your localhost, you may wish to change 127.0.0.1 to 127.0.0.2, or another IP of your choice, else your webserver error log will fill quickly. Some UNIX users may notice errors or slowdown if the hosts are redirecting to localhost (127.0.0.1). You may want to replace all the localhost IP's with a nullhost IP (0.0.0.0). This can be easily accomplished by running the following command at a shell prompt: % sed -e 's|127.0.0.1|0.0.0.0|g' hosts > hosts which will globally find and replace all instances of localhost with nullhost. If you are running a proxy server, this file will also be of use to your connecting machines, as less data needs to be downloaded. Installation Instructions ------------------------- This file applies to just about any OS made in the past decade. Installation is fairly straightforward. It is recommended that you backup your current hosts file unless you intend to add the list to your existing file. WINDOWS 95/98/ME: Save the 'hosts' file to your C:\WINDOWS directory WINDOWS NT/2000/XP: Save the 'hosts' file to C:\WINNT\System32\drivers\etc directory MacOS/BeOS/Linux/UNIX: Save the 'hosts' file to /etc/hosts. I recommend appending to this file instead of overwriting it. An easy way to do this at a shell prompt is: % cat hosts >> /etc/hosts Notes ----- Most browsers will reject the invalid requests with little or no notice. However, some banner ads may appear as blank images that did not load. This is expected to happen.
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