Host File and how to use it

[Bear]

Along with all the other safety programs in use there is already a very handy to that comes installed with your operating system, the host file.1. What is a Host file ?Host File: A file, stored on the user's computer, used to look up the Internet Protocol address of a device connected to a computer network.2. Where is my host file ?Windows 95/98/Me c:windowshostsWindows NT/2000/XP Pro c:winntsystem32driversetchostsWindows XP Home c:windowssystem32driversetchostsWindows Vista All C:WindowsSystem32driversetc hosts(you may need administrator access for Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista (All)) For Windows Vista errors check this link Host File Edit3. How do I edit my host file ?First go to your host file location and right click copy and paste it to your Documents folder and then right click open with your text editor, you can now edit the host file Below is an example of a non edited host file

Code:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.## This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.## This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one# space.## Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.## For example:##

[Mitz]

When you have the path to the host file.. I did not understand what you meant by “etc” but now I see there is an actual folder called “etc” LOLI am actually having a problem with not being able to access a certain website and went to check the host file but there was nothing there... oh well..Also if you add websites into the host file does that mean they will load faster because you have basically let Windows know that you will be visiting there...?

[Bear]

Think of going to a web site like calling over seas in the 60's, you first had to call the operator then they connected you, lots of wasted timeI will use our address as the example when you enter http://pctipforum.com/ you of course end up here, the address's that you type in to the address bar first goes to one of ten DNS servers world wide then on to the site then that information is sent back in the form of a web page (our domain is pctipforum), each dns name is really a set of numbers our happens to be 74.52.59.130By adding the domain name and relating it to the real thing which is the number you don't go through the dns server because the name is already related to the number.By the same token if you use your local ip ( your machines address ) 127.0.0.1

[Author]

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