Most of the time a malware modifies Windows hosts file to prevent users from gaining access to Security related websites. Below is a guide to clean your Windows Hosts File.
1. Navigate to the following location:
Windows 95/98/Me:
%Windir%
Windows NT/2000/XP:
%Windir%\System32\drivers\etc
Windows Vista:
%Windir%\System32\drivers\etc
2. Double-click the hosts file.
3. If necessary, deselect the “Always use this program to open this program” check box.
4. Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
5. When the file opens, delete all the entries added by the risk. See sample of a clean hosts file content below.
6. Close Notepad and it should be save automatically (without a file extension).
- - - - Below this line is an example of Clean Windows Hosts File - - - -
# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 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
- - - - Above this line is an example of Clean Windows Hosts File - - - -
14 Responses for "Clean Windows Hosts File"
I cant save the file after editing it.
Same for me. Any ideas? Thanks
right click on the file and select properties and unselect read only befor you open it
Same for me - I’ve been trying for several days to get rid of this…I’ve followed every step, tried everything I can think of, nothing’s working - ideas? I get told “cannot create the file” when I try to save the notepad file.. (and there was no “read only” check in the first place…I tried that..)
Thanks muchly - any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hey, I’ve managed to get rid of Trenderdia completely, and fixed my host files, but I’m currently using Mozilla Firefox as my browser, and when I try to go to facebook via firefox, i still get re-directed to that fake microsoft site… However, if i go to facebook via Internet Explorer, it’s fine… Is there another Hosts file, or equivelant that needs cleaning for firefox?
Thanking thou for any help!
i no longer get the “dead in a month” message but i cant seem to get rid of the fake microsoft site. ive deleted all the infected files and what not using the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware software. i tried to edit my host list but i seem to have the same problem as kimberly. when asked to overwrite i say yes then i get a message to make sure my file path is correct and i know it is. help please?
Hi, how about replacing the hosts file: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts2.htm
I’m no computer tech and it’s taken me days but finally I’ve got rid of it. Followed all the instructions on here but the key thing for me was deselecting ‘read only’ by right clicking on the host file - but this must be done before opening it. Then open it and delete entries and save.
Thank you very much!
You include ME, but not Vista? Vist’s not that broken, is it?
So what’s the file look like in Vista? I have several HOSTNAME files, and I’m not sure which one It’s (more-or-less) safe to mess with.
Am i delete entire file content of that file .
Hej, I still don’t know how to save it…
and i’ve got like, 2 localhosts, so i guess i’ve to only leave the
127.0.0.1 localhost
cause here it says ::1 localhost
And if i want to save it, there comes a text message like: cannot create the bla bla bla..
And like what should you save it? .txt?
Tnks
still no anything happen.. i stil cant go to anvirus site
Simple steps that WORKS !!
1. Install MicrosoftFixit50267.msi (The current host file will be renewed)
2. Copy and paste the content of a Clean Windows Hosts File.
3. Save and Done !
Virus Im currently battling refuses to let me alter hosts file even in Safe Mode.. Cant de select Read Only as it blocks that too. Hijack This isnt working either.. ESET has been installed and is currently detecting viruses. Love these jobs..
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