Hosts File Updater 1.1

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

This small utility replaces your Windows Hosts file with the one at MVPS.org to block most known advertisement servers and many exploitative Web sites. Hosts File Updater's simple two-button interface either replaces your Hosts file or restores the default Windows Hosts file. The Windows Hosts file maps URL addresses and effectively blocks select URLs from loading in your browser. Blocking browser advertisements will speed the loading of some Web pages, but the large size of the MVPS.org Hosts file can slow some Windows 2000 and XP machines. This executable does not install in your system, but merely checks to see if your Hosts file matches the latest file available from MVPS.org. If your file does not match, Hosts File Updater will prompt you to download the latest Hosts file. If you or a security program have added entries to your Hosts file, they will be lost. This program does not warn users it is overwriting the previous Hosts file, nor does it have the option to append your Hosts entries. There is an option to restore your Hosts file to the empty Windows default file. Novice users who never open the Hosts file and use no security programs that alter the file will find this utility helpful. All other users would do well to find one of the many other fully featured Hosts file helpers.

Publisher's description

From FaltronSoft :

This is a little tool for updating the hosts file. It will connect to the Website mvps.org to download the hosts file. Hosts file can be used to block those harmful Websites that known to show ads, providing adware/spyware bundled software, hijack your browser or even auto install malicious software to your system. I recommend you to check for new hosts file update at least once every two weeks.

Note: This program is not a adware/spyware remover and does not need to be running constantly in the background since the program (not the hosts file) does not prevent adware/spyware installation. The hosts file just complement your exisiting adware/spyware scanner and is an excellent tool. Version 1.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

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