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Thread ID: 65457 2006-01-18 21:56:00 Hosts file not working Peterj116 (6762) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
422356 2006-01-18 21:56:00 I'm probably missing something obvious here, so some help is appreciated.

I'm trying to block a website (http://www.fanfiction.net) by adding:
127.0.0.1 www.fanfiction.net
to the hosts file.

It's saved it OK, but it's having no effect.

Running XP SP2, Firefox & Zone Alarm.
ZA isn't set to lock the hosts file & after rebooting, the hosts file is showing the change, but still no effect.

What obvious thing have I missed?
Peterj116 (6762)
422357 2006-01-18 22:00:00 is the website saved in your cache ? working offline ? DaveBritton (7395)
422358 2006-01-18 22:13:00 what browser are you using? of firewall?

with firefox you can use adblock extension
internet explorer has content restriction
and most firewall have content/site blocking
apparition (3207)
422359 2006-01-18 22:13:00 I'm probably missing something obvious here, so some help is appreciated.

I'm trying to block a website (http://www.fanfiction.net) by adding:
127.0.0.1 www.fanfiction.net
to the hosts file.

It's saved it OK, but it's having no effect.

Running XP SP2, Firefox & Zone Alarm.
ZA isn't set to lock the hosts file & after rebooting, the hosts file is showing the change, but still no effect.

What obvious thing have I missed?
as already suggested clean out your browsers cache. also one thing to watch, some types of internet connection systems seem to be able to bypass the host file. rare but something to keep in mind.
tweak'e (69)
422360 2006-01-18 22:44:00 Thanks for that.

I'll try clearing the cache.

:thumbs:
Peterj116 (6762)
422361 2006-01-18 23:19:00 I'm mildly curious why you want to block that site - it seems pretty innocuous to me? Greg (193)
422362 2006-01-18 23:49:00 Completely harmless.

Unless you've got a teenager on there every day from 9 'til 2 non-stop.

:mad:

I'm using Firefox's Ad Blocker, which works great when I added fanfiction.net as a new filter.

Except that it brings up a big Ad Blocker page when the site is blocked.
Any way to change that to a simple 404 page or something?
Peterj116 (6762)
422363 2006-01-19 00:58:00 ...
Unless you've got a teenager on there every day from 9 'til 2 non-stop ...
But think about all the other things a teenager might be doing. :groan: :help:
Graham L (2)
422364 2006-01-19 02:17:00 Except that it brings up a big Ad Blocker page when the site is blocked.
Any way to change that to a simple 404 page or something?

To get that standard error page you need to redirect the ip address.

I would suggest seeing if you can block it through your firewall too.
apparition (3207)
422365 2006-01-19 02:54:00 Completely harmless .

Unless you've got a teenager on there every day from 9 'til 2 non-stop .

:mad:

LMAO :D

Reminds me of when I had a similar problem a couple of years ago and blocked the unwanted site in the Hosts file .

What happened? The little monkey came on to PF1 and asked why the site wasn't working anymore . . . and one of my "mates" gave instructions how to check the Hosts file and remove the site from there!! :eek:

To be fair he didn't know who the poster was until it was too late but it taught me to be even more cunning to stay several steps ahead . :p :D
FoxyMX (5)
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