Vanilla hosts file ( hosts file not working )


  1. Posts : 1,308
    Windows 10
       #1

    Vanilla hosts file ( hosts file not working )


    Hi I keep getting this symptom from time to time , it fixes with windows updates but then occasionally come back .

    I have a list of advertising and malware websites that I filter through hosts file that are often used by a chat client as per the chat client community recommendations .

    Now I noticed that there comes time when the file becomes vanilla afterwards (ignored) and all the filtered sites are accessible via browsers again and appearing in chat client .

    There were 2 suggested tricks I came across back when that happened that weren't guaranteed to fix the issue but did sometimes :
    1 - Renaming the file to Hosts then back to hosts
    2 - running ipconfig /flushdns command in an elevated prompt

    Those lately became non helpful at all though .

    I have a VPN installed on my system named Hotspotshield (Only available option for my region) , I highly suspect it to be the cause but i managed to stop its service but the problem remained .

    -Edit-
    I uninstalled Hotspotshield but still that didn't solve the issue .

    And btw yes dism and sfc run without problems since i did recently an in-place upgrade using media creation tools .

    Anything i haven't thought of ?

    -Edit 2-
    I found a work around , I found that owner was SYSTEM , when I took ownership to be my account it became functional again , now any idea why that worked/happens ?
    Last edited by nIGHTmAYOR; 29 Dec 2017 at 20:03.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 258
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Hotspot shield had some government issues a small while back so could be something to do with that. Some people were reporting "funny things" happening after it was updated. Some found it was removed and others found it all of a sudden was set as a virus.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,308
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Well I just managed to uninstall it for a test , that didnt solve the issue still .
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    nIGHTmAYOR said:
    ....I have a VPN installed on my system ... I highly suspect it to be the cause....
    It certainly looks like some third-party app is the cause. I can confirm it doesn't happen on a 'purely-Microsoft' install of Windows 10.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 27,165
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #5

    I don't understand how any app(other than one specifically for host file) can change it?
    I mean, it is in System32....
    And the only way to change it, is with admin privileges.

    By access I mean make changes!
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    Cliff S said:
    I don't understand how any app(other than one specifically for host file) can change it?
    I mean, it is in System32....
    From the OP it appears Hosts is not being changed, rather it is being ignored....
    ...suggested tricks ... that weren't guaranteed to fix the issue but did sometimes :
    1 - Renaming the file to Hosts then back to hosts...
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 27,165
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #7

    Bree said:
    From the OP it appears Hosts is not being changed, rather it is being ignored....
    I read it as "changing to vanilla" as it reverts back to the standard:
    # Copyright (c) 1993-2009 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:
    #
    # 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
    # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

    # localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
    # 127.0.0.1 localhost
    # ::1 localhost

    After he has set something like mine:

    # Copyright (c) 1993-2009 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:
    #
    # 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
    # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

    # localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
    # 127.0.0.1 localhost
    # ::1 localhost
    # Anti-WebMiner Start 1.3 43018
    0.0.0.0 2giga.link
    0.0.0.0 azvjudwr.info
    0.0.0.0 cnhv.co
    0.0.0.0 coinhive.com
    0.0.0.0 coin-hive.com
    0.0.0.0 crypto-loot.com
    0.0.0.0 edgeno.de
    0.0.0.0 gus.host
    0.0.0.0 jroqvbvw.info
    0.0.0.0 jsecoin.com
    0.0.0.0 jyhfuqoh.info
    0.0.0.0 kdowqlpt.info
    0.0.0.0 listat.biz
    0.0.0.0 lmodr.biz
    0.0.0.0 mataharirama.xyz
    0.0.0.0 minecrunch.co
    0.0.0.0 minemytraffic.com
    0.0.0.0 miner.pr0gramm.com
    0.0.0.0 ppoi.org
    0.0.0.0 reasedoper.pw
    0.0.0.0 xbasfbno.info
    # Anti-WebMiner End
    # Facebook
    0.0.0.0 0-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 0-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 1-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 1-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 2-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 2-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 3-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 3-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 4-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 4-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 5-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 5-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 6-act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 6-edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 act.channel.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 api-read.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 api.ak.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 api.connect.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 api.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 app.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 apps.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 ar-ar.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 attachment.fbsbx.com
    0.0.0.0 attachments.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 b-api.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 b-graph.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 b.static.ak.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 b.static.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 badge.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 beta-chat-01-05-ash3.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 bigzipfiles.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 blog.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 channel-ecmp-05-ash3.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 channel-staging-ecmp-05-ash3.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 channel-testing-ecmp-05-ash3.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 check4.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 check6.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 code.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 connect.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 connect.facebook.net
    0.0.0.0 d.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 de-de.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 developers.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 edge-chat.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 ent-a.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 ent-b.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 ent-c.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 ent-d.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 ent-e.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 es-la.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 external.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 facebook.de
    0.0.0.0 facebook.fr
    0.0.0.0 fb.me
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-photos-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-photos-e-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-a-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-b-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-c-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-d-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-e-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-f-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-g-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-h-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-j-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-k-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-l-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-m-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-n-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-o-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-video-p-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn-vthumb-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn.com
    0.0.0.0 fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net
    0.0.0.0 fr-fr.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 graph.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 hi-in.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 inyour-slb-01-05-ash3.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 it-it.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 ja-jp.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 login.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 m.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 messages-facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 mqtt.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 newsroom.fb.com
    0.0.0.0 orcart.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 origincache-ai-01-05-ash3.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 origincache-starfacebook-ai-01-05-ash3.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 profile.ak.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 profile.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 pt-br.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 s-external.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 s-static.ak.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 s-static.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 s-static.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-a-sin.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-b-sin.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-c.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-d.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-e.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent-mxp.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 scontent.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 secure-profile.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 secure.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 ssl.connect.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 ssl.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 star.c10r.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 star.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 static.ak.connect.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 static.ak.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 static.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 static.thefacebook.com
    0.0.0.0 staticxx.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 touch.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 upload.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 video.xx.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 vpn.tfbnw.net
    0.0.0.0 vthumb.ak.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 vupload.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 vupload2.vvv.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 http://www.connect.facebook.net
    0.0.0.0 http://www.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 http://www.facebook.de
    0.0.0.0 http://www.facebook.fr
    0.0.0.0 http://www.fbcdn.com
    0.0.0.0 http://www.fbcdn.net
    0.0.0.0 http://www.login.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 zh-cn.facebook.com
    0.0.0.0 zh-tw.facebook.com
    # Facebook end
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 1,308
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    no the hosts file don't change , its just ignored correct .
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 27,165
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #9

    OK.
    Then maybe one of the entries is spelled wrong, or missing, or it just needs to be updated, for example a current malware site list is:
    http://www.malwaredomainlist.com/hostslist/hosts.txt
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 1,308
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I found a work around , I found that owner was SYSTEM , when I took ownership to be my account it became functional again , now any idea why that happens ?
      My Computer


 

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