Bluetack’s New HOSTS File

In our continuous efforts to protect you the best we can, the HOSTS file has been completely updated.

All entries have been verified on 27 December 2007, dead servers were removed.

The HOSTS file includes data from our own IP research, member posts on the forum and also from the trustworthy leading anti-spyware resources below.

Special thanks toSupport
You can help support this volunteer site by clicking on the IPB Image button on the B.I.S.S. Portal

Download
Bluetack's Hosts.zip - [Last Updated : See B.I.S.S Portal under Hosts File]
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Unzip to a folder on your your hard disk. Locate the file named HOSTS.TXT (*) which you just extracted and rename it to HOSTS with no .TXT extension and copy it to the appropriate location:

Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME = C:\WINDOWS

(*) If you don't see the TXT extension, you will have to reconfigure Windows Explorer to show Extensions
  • Open My Computer.
  • Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
  • Select the View Tab.
  • Uncheck the Hide Extensions for known file types option.
  • Click Yes to confirm.
  • Click OK.
If you are using a HOSTS file now, watch out if there aren't any needed entries before you replace it with the new HOSTS file, especially if you are using Norton's Email Protection.

127.0.0.1 pop3.norton.antivirus
127.0.0.1 pop3.spa.norton.antivirus

If you have these entries in your actual HOSTS file, simply copy/paste them to the HOSTS file you unzipped.

Important

Very often a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) can slow down the computer. This only occurs in Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Windows 98 and ME are not affected by this issue.

If you are running Windows 2000 or XP and you are not a part of a domain you will need to disable the DNS Client Service prior to installing the HOSTS file.
You must be logged in as a member of the Administrators group to make this change. After you did stop the DNS Client you may install your HOSTS file.
If you don't perform this task before installing the HOSTS file, your computer may slow down and/or stop responding until the DNS Client is stopped.

To resolve this issue open the Services Editor.
  • Click Start then Run and type "services.msc" (no quotes) in the edit box and hit Ok
  • Scroll down to "DNS Client", Right-click and select Properties from the popupmenu.
  • Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type".
  • Select: Manual, click Apply & Ok.
  • Restart your computer.
You can see that the DNS Service is NOT needed by opening the Services Editor again after a while, scroll down to the DNS Client entry and check the "Status" column. It should remain blank, if the service was needed, it would show "Started" in that column. If wanted, you can safely set it to Disabled instead of Manual.

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Assorted and Recommended Help Topics

Bluetack HOSTS file Protection Guide by Moore.
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=8337

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File: Information, Tips & Tricks.
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm