Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Anyone tried using HostMan?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    367

    Question Anyone tried using HostMan?

    Currently I'm using to manage my HOSTS file (I'm using ).

    Started wondering about perhaps trying and ended up looking at since it has features that might be helpful when using a large HOSTS file (MVPS = ~ 600 KB while hpHosts = ~ 3.8 MB)

    Anyone have some experience with this stuff?

    And if so, what are the negative side-effects of disabling the DNS Client service?

  2. #2
    I have read about this program at Gizmo's, but haven't actually used it.

    I use SpyBot's immunization feature, which adds tons of sites to the blacklist in my Hosts file.

    I have heard that a large Hosts file causes your internet to be slow, but Im not sure

    Btw mine is 442 KB (Win XP), you say yours is 600, does it have a negative impact on your browser or the speed?

    Just a request, if you have some time to spare, could you shed some light on HostsXpert ? since you are using that

    Now coming to hpHosts, I see their warning posts on the WOT pages of many good websites. They are mostly False positives, so I can't really recommend them.
    I wonder if they list harmless tracking cookies/ads as trojans/malware. And do they re-scan websites that they have termed "Malicious" ?



    P.S: (not exactly relevant, but may still help newbies)

    I also use Spywareblaster to prevent bad websites from loading, although it does not modify the Hosts file.

    WinPatrol also detects changes in Hosts file, and prompts you if a change is found, well thats just an added protection.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    367

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashwin View Post
    I have read about this program at Gizmo's, but haven't actually used it.
    Hadn't looked there, but did find this which is a nice intro on HOSTS file and how you use to eliminate some Google ads.

    Additionally, it's a good way to clamp a lid on OpenCandy (advertising program included in some apps like mIRC & MediaInfo that scans your machine for installed apps and then offers installation of others). There's a Gizmo about it.

    I found quite a few comments to articles that mention HostsMan in highly positive, if not glowing, terms -- but couldn't find a Gizmo article that talks about it.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashwin View Post
    I have heard that a large Hosts file causes your internet to be slow, but Im not sure

    Btw mine is 442 KB (Win XP), you say yours is 600, does it have a negative impact on your browser or the speed?
    I didn't notice any impact on my browser after installing the MVPS HOSTS file. (I have DNS Client still set at Automatic.) But I didn't test it either. However, it's another story about using hpHosts: it's HUGE!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashwin View Post
    Just a request, if you have some time to spare, could you shed some light on HostsXpert ? since you are using that

    Now coming to hpHosts, I see their warning posts on the WOT pages of many good websites. They are mostly False positives, so I can't really recommend them.
    I wonder if they list harmless tracking cookies/ads as trojans/malware. And do they re-scan websites that they have termed "Malicious" ?
    Actually I haven't really explored HostsXpert very much. I got because I was going to update my HOSTS file and started looking around for a tool to handle instead of having to do it manually.

    The big draw is that HostsXpert is portable!!! Just made a folder for it in "MyApps" directory (I put all my portables there) and made a desktop shortcut for it.

    Main features of HostsXpert:

    • Restore MS HOSTS file
    • Backup / Restore your HOSTS file
    • Download either MVPS HOSTS and/or hpHosts (even tells you when you the date of the current release and when you updated yours last)
    • Edit window of your current HOSTS file as well various Edit features
    • Check DNS Client service

    In short, it greatly simplifies using a customized HOSTS file

    Now, back to hpHosts. Yes, I agree. I've noticed that hpHosts is very stringent. But that does have its safety advantages.

    There are a number of reasons a domain might be listed in hpHosts (detailed explanation with links )
    • ATS - Ad/tracking servers
    • EMD - sites engaged in malware distribution
    • EXP - sites engaged in or alleged to be engaged in the exploitation of browser and OS vulnerabilities as well as the exploitation of gray-matter
    • FSA - sites engaged in the selling or distribution of bogus or fraudulent applications
    • GRM - sites engaged in astroturfing otherwise known as grass roots marketing
    • HFS - Special classification for persons caught spamming the hpHosts forums
    • HJK - sites engaged in browser hijacking or other forms of hijacking (OS services, bandwidth, DNS, etc.)
    • MMT - Sites engaged in the use of misleading marketing tactics
    • PSH - sites engaged in Phishing
    • WRZ - sites engaged in the selling, distribution or provision of warez (including but not limited to keygens, serials etc), where such provisions do not contain malware
    NOTE: the color codes are found on the search results page.
    They range from Benign to Low Risk to Medium Risk to HIGH RISK.

    (I changed the Medium Risk from lighter red to pink since I find almost impossible to discern the difference clearly -- used PicPick's ColorPicker tool to discern which was which.)


    As to your question about re-evaluating a websites status, I found the 2 following tidbits:
    1. This is a procedure for removing a website from hpHosts but "Removal requests will only be accepted by site owners, individuals or trusted sources." Details

    2. Also see this in their forum:
    Do you ever check malicious URL's still offer malicious files at a later date?

    Yes. Though this is not a part of the regular validation procedure, this is done periodically when I have free time, and is done by others in the security community (one of the great things about the community is that everyone works together).
    Nonetheless, there's the possibility I might want to visit a site blocked by hpHosts.

    If so, I can do a search for it () to see its classification and then decide if I really want to go there.

    If so... my understanding is that HostsMan makes it easy to do this.

    In addition, it allows you to merge various HOSTS files (like those from MVPS and hpHosts), sort the combined file, remove duplicates and then optimize it for speed.

    A further bonus (at least from reading about it) is has a built-in mini HTTP server that speeds up the use of the HOSTS file.

    HOWEVER, I've only read about it and haven't tried it yet.

    It comes in both an installed and portable edition ... but I've found nothing about what, if any, are the functional differences between the editions.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashwin View Post
    WinPatrol also detects changes in Hosts file, and prompts you if a change is found, well thats just an added protection.
    I have WinPatrol Plus and when I updated my HOSTS file, it detected the change it asked if I wanted to allow it or not (after about a 1 min lag.)
    Last edited by jelson; 29-04-11 at 09:12 PM.

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by jelson View Post

    Additionally, it's a good way to clamp a lid on OpenCandy (advertising program included in some apps like mIRC & MediaInfo that scans your machine for installed apps and then offers installation of others). There's a Gizmo about it.
    Yes I am familiar with that too, had to remove Orbit Downloader and YoWindow because of OpenCandy

    I found quite a few comments to articles that mention HostsMan in highly positive, if not glowing, terms -- but couldn't find a Gizmo article that talks about it.
    They have mentioned HostsMan in

    I think you would find this list helpful:

    I have WinPatrol Plus and when I updated my HOSTS file, it detected the change it asked if I wanted to allow it or not (after about a 1 min lag.)
    LOL. I have Winpatrol Plus too and yes, it is rather slow. more like "Delayed protection" rather than "Realtime protection"

    And Jelson, I would like to thank you for taking time to explain about HostsXpert, hpHosts and HostsMan. very informative

    I hope Avinash posts it on the blog, could be very useful for advanced users.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    367
    Ah, I missed that article! Thanks Ashwin!!

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by jelson View Post
    Ah, I missed that article! Thanks Ashwin!!
    You are welcome Jelson

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •