Thursday, February 5, 2009

HOSTS File - Post # 5

Register for HOSTS File Update Notices


The author of the HOSTS file you just installed maintains the file and updates it with current information. I get every new updated HOSTS file and install it immediately. The reason is simple: to protect my system against the latest threats, and I know of no better tool than this one.

When updates are made available you will get an e-mail informing you of the latest. The e-mail will contain a link to download the latest guess what?, hosts.zip file!

To register to get the update e-mails, simply send an e-mail to:

winhelp2002 at comcast.net (you should use the @ sign with no spaces)

In the subject field simply put mailing list and click on Send.

That is it. You are now protected by the latest HOSTS file and will be notified when the next update is released.

Please write me with any questions you may have at pcdoc at brpcdoc.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

HOSTS File - Post # 4

There are a couple of more steps to go. In this post we will do only one of them to keep things simple. When you read post # 1 and read the web site linked to, you saw the section about disabling DNS Services. Here is how to do that in XP:

1) Click on START, then RUN, then key in services.msc and click on OK.

2) In the Services window that comes up as a result of 1 above, scroll down until you see  DNS Client. Highlight it by clicking on it just once.

3) Now right click on it and select Properties. In the resulting window, change the Startup Type to DISABLED.

4) Click on APPLY and then OK.

5) Restart your system.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

HOSTS File - Post # 3

If you have already followed steps 1 and 2 below, than you now have an icon on your desktop that looks something like this:


 zipped-folder-icon.JPG


Next I want you to right click on that icon on your desktop and select "Open With". Then select "Compressed (zipped) Folders". You will then see a window appear that looks like this:


hosts-files.JPG


Okay, getting close! What you are looking at is the contents of the zipped (or compressed) folder. The files within it, all 5, are also zipped (compressed). Here is what I want you to do. Click on two of these files, one at a time, and drag them to your desktop. The two files are HOSTS and mvps.bat.


The dragging process will take longer than you'd think because the files will be unzipped in the process. Be patient. Once you click and drag the HOSTS file to your desktop it might take a minute before the HOSTS file, uncompressed (unzipped) will appear on your desktop.


Now you have these 2 files, HOSTS and mvps.bat unzipped and sitting on your desktop. You can close the hosts.zip folder window now.


Double-click on the mvps.bat icon on your desktop. In just a second you will see a window looking like this:


hosts-file-installed.JPG


Simply hit your Enter key and the window will close. You now have a new HOSTS file and you are protected.


Stay tuned for the next, and last post in this process.


There are a couple of other things to do before you are finished, but do breathe a sigh of relief because you have the HOSTS file in place and it is working for you right now!


While waiting for the next post do a little cleanup. Delete the 3 icons on your desktop: hosts.zip, HOSTS, and mvps.bat. You no longer need them.

Monday, February 2, 2009

FileHippo.com Update Checker

I frequently use FileHippo.com as a download site, especially when I want an older version of a program, and not the most current one. Yesterday I was on their site and noticed that they have a FREE utility program called FileHippo.com Update Checker. I read a little about it and decided to try it. Once downloaded you can run it at will and it will scan your system and let you know of any programs you have installed that may be out of date. I ran the program and learned that my versions of CCleaner, SuperAntispyware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and Spybot were all out of date, i.e., there was a newer version available. The program will let you downoad the latest version, and for these 4 that is just what I did.

I had others that were out of date, bue elected not to upgrade them for various reasons. Those of you who follow this blog know very well why I updated the 4 programs mentioned above.

As always, when downloading and installing programs, PLEASE read each page before clicking on Next. Be sure you aren't also downloading a Yahoo Toolbar or other such worthless programs. These companies have deals whereby one will support, and try to get installed ($$), useless add-ons from the other company.

 FileHippo.com Update Checker