Anyone who wants to block ad servers in Windows 10, for example, can arrange this by making changes to the HOSTS file. You can then refer the IP address of such a server to a non-existent IP address.
The HOSTS file is especially useful for system administrators. But also for every individual computer user who would like to have more control over his or her internet traffic. The HOSTS file maintains, among other things, a list of previously added domain names. Normally, for a ‘written’ web address (eg www.computertotal.nl) a ‘real’ IP address is searched for via a DNS (Domain Name Server). For the mentioned www.computertotaal.nl that is for example 149.210.193.187, something that you can find out yourself through this website. By saving previously visited websites locally in the HOSTS file, Windows does not need to contact a DNS server first, which makes websites open (a bit) faster. And of course less unnecessary data traffic is generated. And of course you can fine-tune that HOSTS file yourself, and block or add sites. Now it turns out to be one very annoying problem: Windows checks if important changes are being made. You know, under the motto: ‘Windows knows what’s good for you’. So this is also the case for changes to the HOSTS file.
Solution
So annoying, that total control. In itself it is still somewhat understandable, because due to this strict control malicious apps cannot add sneaky wrong IP addresses to it, of course. But if you really want to manage certain things in that HOSTS file yourself, then Windows security must be made clear that you really do want that. This can be done by adding an exception to the security module. To do this, click the search icon in Windows and type the text ‘Virus and threat protection’ (if you have a search field on your taskbar, then of course you type that text there). Then click on Virus and threat protection settings on Manage settings, then on Add or remove exclusions (below Exclusions) and finally on Add an exclusion. click on File and scroll toC: Windows System32 drivers etc HOSTS and click To open. It may be wise to perform this action in Windows Safe Mode to prevent this action from being reversed as well. Either way, you should be in charge of your HOSTS file from now on.
