Broadband Tech > Security > Security > HOSTS file & wildcards?

HOSTS file & wildcards?

Oooooooh, good question!

reply to Sentinel
Wild cards do not work in the host files.
»www.accs-net.com/hosts/benefits_···ons.html

Ok, but how about a service that lists ad's sites we should be adding to the hosts file?
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Folding can save a life!

This site has the host files.
»www.smartin-designs.com/downloads.htm
If you click on the text version you can read them.

reply to Sentinel
Well there is a six page thread covering this subject in detail here.
I think you will find lots of great information in it.
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nam et ipsa scientia potestas est

Ok, I've read the six pages but I am still confused.

I know there are restricted zones you can set on your browser, I do not want to do that.

What I want is to keep my hosts file fresh from those evil ad people. Sort of like a signature file for your anti-virus program.

Any sites that have that updating service? Free or fee based?
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Folding can save a life!

I really don't know of one. The only suggestion I could give is time consuming. You can right click on the banner ads you don't want to see and view the properties. You can then resolve the URL and enter it in your hosts file manually.
Maybe someone else will be of more help. I referred you to that thread as it contains the answers you were looking for regarding wildcards. I really do not understand all the technical information and have had good luck with the hosts file posted by Wildcatboy in that thread.
There are adbusting programs out there also. I use the old AtGuard which is now NIS and it has a unique little garbage can on the dashboard where I can just drag a banner add in and add it to the block list
Just another alternative.
Good luck.
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nam et ipsa scientia potestas est

You should go to smartin's page in kadar's link above. It seems as though he just updated his host file yesterday(3/31/01). It works very well.
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~AL~

Thanks for the heads up Al. I thought he was out of the country or something and had read the site before.
I had no idea there was a new one. It is only 2KB bigger than the one from WCB but I am sure includes some good updates.
Thanks
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nam et ipsa scientia potestas est

reply to Sentinel
Superb. I got it yesterday also.

reply to Sentinel

Good job letting us know. you have my vote. I haven't been visiting his site for a while now and I was wondering when he was going to update his file with him being on vacation and all. I hope he keeps doing it while he is out of the country for the next year or so.
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You can catch the Devil, but you can't hold him long.