What is the use of Hostsman?

[Chris Thomas]

Hey,

I wish someone could explain to me the benefits of using Hostsman

Is there any thing I need to keep in mind when using it?

Do I need Adblock plus on Firefox after installing Hostsman?

Does it slow down my internet?

Is there any benefits of disabling Windows DNS caching? Will it speed up my internet?

[YoKenny]

1. HostMan keeps your HOSTS file up to date if you use the recommended HOSTS files. I use hpHosts and MVPS HOSTS files only.

2. I use its browser speedup proxy HostsServer to see the effectiveness of the HOSTS file with its logging function in Preferences Enable log and Log referrer

3. A good HOSTS file will make Adblock not have to work hard to make Firefox keep up with IE8.  

4. Use OpenDNS as the DNS Client Service is only required with Active Directory clients.

[Chris Thomas]

What if I use Hostsman with all the files including MVPS?

Does it slow down?

And How do I repair my HOSTs file if it gets damaged?

[YoKenny]

1. HostsMan is a HOSTS file manager not a boss.

2. Read my recomendations re: HostsServer

3. Reload the HOST file from a backup in HostsManager Hosts Manage Backups...

[Chris Thomas]

Thanks a lot for the info.

[Hermite15]

Does it slow down?

page loading, a bit, at least on my system, a bit but enough to make me decide to restore the default hostfile and uninstall Hostsman as well. Hostsman itself is not responsible, it's just a manager, it's the hostsfile configuration, with thousands of entries that can slow down things...again, some people don't complain about that. There are enough security tools to avoid bad redirections, Firefox security itself, spywareblaster etc...

[Chris Thomas]

@ Logos

Thanks!

Hmm....

I am just trying it and if it slows then I am going to uninstall it. 

[Hermite15]

@ Logos

Thanks!

Hmm....

I am just trying it and if it slows then I am going to uninstall it. 

well see if it slows things down on your system before you decide...

[Chris Thomas]

I just wanted to know which option is better

Merge with current hosts or Overwrite current hosts?

Why so?

@ YoKenny

I don't see any logs till now in Hostsserver even though I have enabled them

[YoKenny]

I Overwrite as that removes old defunct entries.

Maybe you have not visited sites in the HOSTS file.

See my pic.

[DavidR]

Me I have never found a use for it, I have a virginal hosts file that hasn't been changed.

OpenDNS is enough for me, I'm not paranoid about ads, but I do have that covered using adblockplus add-on in firefox, but since YoKenney won't use firefox he has to have something.

[Chris Thomas]

So,

Hostsman is only for IE users. Is this right?

Maybe it is the reason why I don't see any logs

I don't use IE.

[DavidR]

No Hostsman is for the Hosts file and the Hosts file is used for by browsers or rather the connection to the domain would be blocked back to the localhost (your computer) and nothing would be displayed to the browser.

I try to avoid IE use also so for me adblockplus is more than enough.

[Hermite15]

So,

Hostsman is only for IE users. Is this right?

Maybe it is the reason why I don't see any logs

I don't use IE.

like David said, the hostsfile is being used by anything connecting on your system; it's only that IE might need it more due to its lack of protection with pop ups and redirections, all things that can be avoided easily with some extensions like Adblock+ in Firefox. I'm not sure but hostman server must log re-direction attempts, and your log will remain empty as long as you don't have any that was blocked by the hostsfile.

[Chris Thomas]

When I used IE 8 and checked the logs, there were logs but when I used Minefield and checked the logs. there were no logs.