New
#1
Fios slows down and I find I have a great number of host files.
I have a gigabit Fios connection which has been a pleasure. However, it has recently slowed down a bit and there is a definite short hesitation as sites are loaded. Usually use Chrome. Windows 10 with a wired connection to the fios router. I turned off the router and unplugged connections hoping that might clear its cache (if it has one). I ran ip config\ flushdns and got a message it was successful. But I didn't gain much. I'm presently using dns addresses found by the Gibson program as best for my connection. They are set on the router and the computer.
Googling, I found references to cleaning the hosts file and am confused by what I found. I seem to have several files named hosts.txt in c:\users\name\appdata/local\Google\Chrome\User Data.... All these text files are named # MalwareDomainList.com Hosts List with different dates a few months apart. Is Chrome placing and updating these? Do I need them? My concern is that they are all "consulted" before a site is loaded and perhaps that's the hesitation I'm experiencing?
I also have a hosts (no ext) file in windows\system32\drovers\etc which, when opened in Notepad, is the standard Microsoft boilerplate of a hosts file: Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.## This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows..
Also, three pluginhostshim.js which I think are Chrome related?
So I have a slightly hesitant internet which may be checking all or many of the above files. At the same time, I don't seem to have a hosts file - I don't care if it's ok not to.
Would appreciate an assessment of the above file situation and any recommendations as to whether they need to be cleaned up.
Thanks.