Do you make use of your hosts file?

[Aimless]

I'd completely forgotten that a hosts file can be useful, but the other day I was reminded when I was tasked with finding a simple way to block some web-content without using an ad-blocking extension. I remembered that it's an easy way to block ads and other content without loading that content in the first place (using chrome right now, and the adblocking extension I use loads ads before hiding them).

Do you guys use your hosts file for such purposes? How about your own (or public) DNS servers?

Any other nifty tricks you can share?

[Tempus Vernum]

I use mine frequently at work when setting up new domains and I can't be bothered waiting for them to propogate.

At home? not so much.

[Ominous Gamer]

I've used my host file since Windows XP. Thats what Spybot S&D modifies when you use it to immunize your system.

My latest trick is using my gmail address to track and sort my email. Anytime I register for anything i use username+sitename@gmail.com. It all comes to my gmail account, and it allows me to see who is selling my information and allows me to easily set up filters before hand.

[Angel_Mapper]

127.0.0.1 tcr.tynt.com

Blocks that stupid, potentially dangerous "feature" some news sites have that inserts links into text you copy.

[Spawnie]

I've used my host file since Windows XP. Thats what Spybot S&D modifies when you use it to immunize your system.

My latest trick is using my gmail address to track and sort my email. Anytime I register for anything i use username+sitename@gmail.com. It all comes to my gmail account, and it allows me to see who is selling my information and allows me to easily set up filters before hand.

Thats interesting. So can you put anything before the "+"? and then just your username as usual?

[Ominous Gamer]

username first, anything after the +, as far as I can tell. For example, my email here would be OG+twf@gmail.com. So I can setup all twf emails to get labeled as such, and I can trace if Mr. Wraithy decides to sell my email to any 3rd parties.

Which he would never do, because he is so awesome.

[NGS]

I'm using it, but am actually trying to stop. Because so many videos have advertisements before them, it's not impossible for me to watch a lot of stuff. THe only problem is I really can't figure out how to set it back the way it originally was. A little help? Here's the code of what I've got now:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1       localhost

Crap, is that even it? That's all I could find...

[Ominous Gamer]

I think you can delete your host file, and Windows will make a fresh blank one.
Location of host file.

[Aimless]

127.0.0.1 tcr.tynt.com

Blocks that stupid, potentially dangerous "feature" some news sites have that inserts links into text you copy.

Ah, nice

And great to know about that gmail one

Latest find, putting firefox profile in a RAM-disk awesome-bar suddenly more awesome