This tip was printed from the MalekTips Computer and Technology Help and Tips website at http://malektips.com.

SpywareBlaster - Host File Snapshots

Your machine's Hosts file can have legitimate purposes. Normally, if you try to access a network resource whereby domain name services (DNS) doesn't work, a Hosts file translates a verbal address (such as "server2") to an IP address. However, this file can be abused so that accesses to cnn.com, ebay.com, and paypal.com, for example, end up going to other lesser-known or rogue websites.

To help protect against undesired changes, SpywareBlaster lets you create encrypted backup copies of the Hosts file. Then, if spyware or adware modify this file, you can restore from the saved backup.

Note that if you restore a Hosts file from a saved backup and your machine is still infected with spyware or adware, the changes you restore may be reverted! Thus it is important to clean your machine of threats first, and then repair the damage.

1. From SpywareBlaster, click the "Tools" tab on the left.

2. Click the "Hosts Safe" tab on top. From here, you can:

a. Create a Hosts file backup by clicking the "Create New Backup" button. A new backup will appear in the list.

b. Delete an old backup file by clicking a backup and then the "Delete selected" button.

c. To restore your Hosts file from a backup, click a backup to restore from and click the "Restore Saved Backup" button.