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HostsMan - blocking ads and bad web sites is now easier

Posted by ClifNotes, Jun 2008, permalink Security Tools

Using your PC's Hosts file to block bad websites is easy and there are lots of programs that help you do this. HostsMan is one of the better ways to do this. Years ago, I tried HostsMan and it was a good freeware even then. In the comments here at freewarewiki, a fellow named 1101doc mentioned that he uses it now. Recently I asked Doc to give me his review of HostsMan. The best reviews are from the users, and here is one below.

One more thing I'll mention before we get to Doc's review. Adding block lists to your Hosts file isn't only a good idea to protect you while you are using a web browser, it also prevents the other programs in your PC from accessing those sites.

About Doc:
I am 61, retired, and have been using computers for only 3 years. I much prefer freeware whenever possible, but have purchased licenses for WinPatrol Plus and A-Squared Anti-malware.
I am a Global Moderator at 5Star Support Forums and a "Trusted Tech" at Geeks-to-Go.

Hostsman - review from Doc, June 2008

Knute Rockne once was asked why he didn't like his team to use the forward pass in football games. He responded, "When a pass is thrown 3 things can happen; 2 of them bad." That is, the pass may be completed, the opponents may intercept, or the pass may be incompleted. When you think about it, "visiting" web pages is rather the same. You may go to the correct page, your browser may be redirected, or the page you "visit" may be hiding malware. Odds: 2-1 against. Hostsman levels the playing field.

Much has been written about the benefits of a modified Hosts file. The Hosts file is actually part of the computer's software environment. When a browser is directed to a Website, before the computer completes the task, it checks its own Hosts file to see if any particular instructions are listed there. Regardless of the Browser's input, the computer must obey the directions found in the Hosts file. Specialized Hosts files provide a way to internally redirect the browser to the specific address: 127.0.0.1

127.0.0.1 means "Go Home!" And by doing so, the web browser seems to actually "skip" the website to which it was directed. Actually very nice if the website is known to contain malware. Also nice if the redirection means that almost all the ads on web pages that I visit do not appear! No ads with no special software or browser add-ons to block them!

There are four major "Hosts Files" in popular use: MVP Hosts, hphosts, Mike's ad blocking hosts, and Peter Lowe's AdServers list. Hostsman will update your Hosts file with all 4 and delete all duplicates, leaving you with a hosts file of over 64,500 bad sites and ad servers to which your browser cannot connect. Unless you want to....

Hostsman has a button that toggles the Hosts file on and off. If you really, really want to visit trojansrus.hk, or hotbabes.com, simply disable the Hosts file temporarily from the main interface. Hostsman comes with its own "Server." It is not necessary to install the Server to gain benefits, but with the Hostsman Server running, browsing is a little quicker, and you can decide if you want to see an image, a message, or nothing where the ads are 'sposed to be. Without the Server, IE will dispay a "404-not found" message for all the blocked ads. It is also possible to write your own message and choose your own image should that be desired. (I've been thinking about "Neener-neener-neener.")

Hostsman contains its own Hosts file editor for manual work, can be configured to show its icons in the "Tray" or not, has settings for both aspects of the program to control their auto-start properties, does not install a Service, and does not install icons on the Desktop or in QuickLaunch. It installs quickly without a reboot and also seems to un-install quite well; although I've developed the habit of always using Revo Uninstaller in "advanced" mode for all my un-installs anyway. Hostsman also includes "tools" to flush the DNS cache and "Resolve hosts. The main GUI also has a connection to Hostsman Server Control panel for those of us who decide not to have the Server icon showing all the time.

When first running Hostsman, it will suggest that you allow it to disable the DNS Client Service. When using an extended Hosts file, this will actually improve browsing speed, as the DNS Service does not take time to search for named servers. I have mine set to "Manual" anyway because I also use the Open DNS service, and that does it all for me anyway. Manual is always the safe setting for Services. That way, if for some reason the system needs the Service, Windows can start it without your intervention. If Disabled, you will need to change the setting and start the service yourself.

Hostsman does not "Exit" when closed form the Taskbar or with the upper right "X." To "Exit" the program, right click the green "H' in the System Notification Area (System tray) and select "Exit." The same is true for the Hosts Server. Choose "Stop Server and exit."

I like it and have it installed on all our computers. (4) It seems to take very few system resources and does what it does quite well. Like everything else, I update it manually, but it does have an auto-update feature for those who would rater not be bothered.

You can download Hostsman from the authors' site: http://www.abelhadigital.com/
This review is for version 3.1.55, not the new beta. The released version downloads from this page also offers a zip file (no-install) download.

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