Windows XP Hosts file missing - Any Ideas?

[stellium]

Hi,

Not certain if this belongs here.

Was trying to modify my hosts file to eliminate google-analytics tracking

went to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc and found no "hosts" file

I do have a file called "lmhosts.sam" along with "networks", "services", "protocols".

Wanted to know if there was a way to correct/repair this?

I just cleaned a rootkit off my machine and wonder if this might have been collateral damage..

Any ideas?

TIA

Stellium

[Marc57]

Check this out and see if it helps.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034

[stellium]

Marc57

Ok, so I guess I can simply repopulate the entry with a text based file, saved as "hosts"

What do you think of loading it with this?

http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/zero/

This guy has compiled a very extensive list of adware/spyware/intruders that can be shut off with either the classic 127.0.0.1 or simply 0.0.0.0 as the tcp/ip address.

I figure, if I want to eliminate the "overhead" on my browsing, then this exclusion list could be just the ticket.

What say you?

Stellium

[DavidR]

Just as easy to have something like AdBlockPlus firefox add-on it has multiple lists you can download and they are maintained easily through the add-on. Whilst these would only be OK in firefox, you can of-course use NoScript and or RequestPolicy add-ons to block google-analytics.com.

I believe IE9 now uses the adblock plus as the basis for its ad blocking.

You can of course use a hosts file manager like HPhosts, which would apply to all browsers.

I prefer to keep my HOSTS file empty.

[Marc57]

I agree with David, I like to keep my hosts file empty.

[stellium]

Got it!

Just thought it would be neat to have all those guys out of my hair.

Thanks a bunch for the help!

Lots of good Karma sent your way.

Jacques