- The Birth of Spyware
- How Can I Tell If I Have Spyware?
- How Do I Choose a Spyware Scanner?
- Sites to Avoid
- System Admin Information
- Detecting Spyware Processes In MS Windows-Based Machines
- Detecting Spyware Autostart Methods in MS Windows-based Machines
- Configuring Internet Explorer for Network Users
- Using a Hosts File to Block Spyware-Infected Hosts
- Spyware and Security Resources
Using a Hosts File to Block Spyware-Infected Hosts
A simple yet effective way of blocking spyware-infected servers is to add them to a host file. Creating a host file is straightforward. Open up a text editor, and type the following at the very top of the text file:
127.0.0.1 Localhost
Now, you can add the spyware-infected hosts underneath, like this:
127.0.0.1 iads.adroar.com
127.0.0.1 lists.adroar.com
127.0.0.1 advertisingvision.com
After a good list of adware servers has been made, save the file as hosts (not hosts.txt, just hosts). Place this file in the appropriate directory:
Windows XP
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME
C:\WINDOWS
When a computer tries to go to the malware-infected server, the hosts file will block it. Instead of going to the intended server, the server address will point locally, rendering the spyware useless (or blocking spyware from infecting the computer from a remote location). You can download an excellent hosts file here: It has a huge database of spyware, malware, and parasitic servers and will become a valuable asset in any system admins arsenal of protection.