Solved Block website instructions with HOST file no good?


sdowney717

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I used the modify HOSTS file method
Followed this to try a test block of reddit, but it never worked. ideas why? Does it work for you?

FIOS also disabled all website blocking in their router config page and on my Verizon website. You can go thru the motions and nothing gets blocked. All you can do now is block all internet access with them, AFAIK. I tried and does not function. When talking to tech support she mentioned they charge a fee with 'my home' service to do it, but I wont pursue that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
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    some kind of old ASUS MB
    CPU
    old AMD B95
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    8gb
    Hard Drives
    ssd WD 500 gb
Guess they have a higher interest in making money from selling ads than an individual has in saving money.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

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    Win11 Pro RTM
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    Dell Vostro 3400
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    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
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    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
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    Dell Vostro 5890
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    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
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    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
sordum has an easy-to-use application to do it for you
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
Would you please explain your circumstance for blocking reddit. Like, what exactly are you trying to block? Search results that include reddit, web access to the reddit site, etc
 

My Computers

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3447
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    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
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    DELL 0J37VM
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    32 gb
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    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
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    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
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    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
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    500w
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    MT
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    Dell Premium
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    Logitech wired
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    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
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    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
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    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
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    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
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    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Would you please explain your circumstance for blocking reddit. Like, what exactly are you trying to block? Search results that include reddit, web access to the reddit site, etc
Picked it for a test block. As in block if someone types in reddit.com, no reddit pages appear.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    some kind of old ASUS MB
    CPU
    old AMD B95
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    8gb
    Hard Drives
    ssd WD 500 gb
What url are you adding to your hosts file, Hosts file only deals with domain names any else will not work

Code:
EG: this will not work
0.0.0.0 http://exampe.com/somethig
0.0.0.0 example.com/something
0.0.0.0 www.example.com:8080

EG: this will work
0.0.0.0 example.com
0.0.0.0 www.example.com

I did not actually read the link you posted but if it said to use 127.0.0.1 don't it takes longer for your computer to search 127....1 use 0.0.0.0

Edit:
I should add that Microsoft kinda broke using the hosts file in win 8 or win10 when you try to add a lot of domains, Back in the day I think my hosts file had close to 60000 domains now if you want to do that you have to disable (I think it's called) "IP helper". It's OK if you add (maybe in the 100's or even 1000's ?) ten or less

EDIT:fixed typo
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
What url are you adding to your hosts file, Hosts file only deals with domain names any else will not work

Code:
EG: this will not work
0.0.0.0 http://exampe.com/somethig
0.0.0.0 example.com/something

EG: this will work
0.0.0.0 example.com
0.0.0.0 www.example.com

I did not actually read the link you posted but if it said to use 127.0.0.1 don't it takes longer for your computer to search 127....1 use 0.0.0.0

Edit:
I should add that microsft kinda broke using the hosts file in win 8 or win10 when you try to add a lot of domains, Back in the day I think my hosts file had close to 60000 domains now if you want to do that you have to disable (I think it's called) "IP helper". It's OK if you add (maybe in the 100's) ten or less
I also use 0.0.0.0
Yes, the webpage instructs to use 127.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 1 x 24" LG M38H 1 x 32" LF6300 TV Monitor 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    2 x WD something Something 8TB HDD's / 2 x WD something Something 4TB HDD's / 1 x EVO 1TB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB SSD's / 1 x EVO 250 GB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB (External Hub) / 1 x EVO 1TB (Portable Backup Case)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22621.2215
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Graphics processor is an Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
When talking to tech support she mentioned they charge a fee with 'my home' service to do it, but I wont pursue that.
Not a chance in hell I’d stay with service provider that did this, or that forced me to use one of their routers. Unless of course it was simply the only ISP available
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 1 x 24" LG M38H 1 x 32" LF6300 TV Monitor 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    2 x WD something Something 8TB HDD's / 2 x WD something Something 4TB HDD's / 1 x EVO 1TB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB SSD's / 1 x EVO 250 GB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB (External Hub) / 1 x EVO 1TB (Portable Backup Case)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22621.2215
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Graphics processor is an Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
The only things I can think of is did you add a port at the end (0.0.0.0 www.example.com:8080) because that will not work either or you did not save it with admin privilege's .
Or maybe Microsoft broke it for good this time, one of these day's I will probably test myself.

If you could post your hosts file we can take a look at it, Just remove any personal identifiers, You don't have to remove local IP's if there are any (EG: any IP with 127.x or 192.168.x.x or 10.x or even 172.x)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
Or maybe Microsoft broke it for good this time, one of these day's I will probably test myself.
Nope, I can still block sites. Not that I have checked in the past 7 days though.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 1 x 24" LG M38H 1 x 32" LF6300 TV Monitor 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    2 x WD something Something 8TB HDD's / 2 x WD something Something 4TB HDD's / 1 x EVO 1TB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB SSD's / 1 x EVO 250 GB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB (External Hub) / 1 x EVO 1TB (Portable Backup Case)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22621.2215
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Graphics processor is an Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Also if you just saved your hosts file changes and try to go to the site your browser may have cached the IP if that's the case just mash on the keyboard a bunch of times pressing ctrl+r or you could wait for the TTL to expire in which most cases nowadays is probably 5 min max.

Another thing I always use notepad++ because if it needs admin privilege to save you have the option to ask for admin rights and it saves it
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
Another thing I always use notepad++ because if it needs admin privilege to save you have the option to ask for admin rights and it saves it
Opening Notepad as Admin also works, as long as the file isn’t marked as read only of course.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 1 x 24" LG M38H 1 x 32" LF6300 TV Monitor 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    2 x WD something Something 8TB HDD's / 2 x WD something Something 4TB HDD's / 1 x EVO 1TB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB SSD's / 1 x EVO 250 GB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB (External Hub) / 1 x EVO 1TB (Portable Backup Case)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22621.2215
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Graphics processor is an Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
basically a line of

127.0.0.1 (tab) reddit.com (space) reddit

and variations of the url added to end of HOSTS file
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    some kind of old ASUS MB
    CPU
    old AMD B95
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    8gb
    Hard Drives
    ssd WD 500 gb
HOSTS is a bit outdated, just use NextDNS or ControlID.
capture_10212023_232941.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 3600 & No fTPM (07/19)
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 TOMAHAWK 7C02v1E & IFX TPM (07/19)
    Memory
    4x 8GB ADATA XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 3200MHz CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon RX 580 ARMOR 8G OC @48FPS (08/19)
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Z (11/16)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" AOC G2460VQ6 (01/19)
    Screen Resolution
    1920×1080@75Hz & FreeSync (DisplayPort)
    Hard Drives
    ADATA XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro SSD 512GB (07/19)
    PSU
    Seasonic M12II-520 80 Plus Bronze (11/16)
    Case
    Lian Li PC-7NB & 3x Noctua NF-S12A FLX@700rpm (11/16)
    Cooling
    CPU Cooler Noctua NH-U12S@700rpm (07/19)
    Keyboard
    HP Wired Desktop 320K + Rabalux 76017 Parker (01/24)
    Mouse
    Logitech M330 Silent Plus (04/23)
    Internet Speed
    400/40 Mbps via RouterOS (05/21) & TCP Optimizer
    Browser
    Edge (No FB/Google) & Brave for YouTube & LibreWolf for FB
    Antivirus
    NoAV & Binisoft WFC & NextDNS
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170 (09/10)
    Phone: Samsung Galaxy Xcover 7 (02/24)
basically a line of

127.0.0.1 (tab) reddit.com (space) reddit

and variations of the url added to end of HOSTS file
That should work, Have you tried using one space instead of tab

Edit: not sure if the hosts file understands the second entry without a TLD (.com .org or similar)
yes I know you can add more than one domain I think it;s around 8 if memory serves me right
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
0.0.0.0 reddit.com
0.0.0.0 www.reddit.com

The above works!

flush DNS
Then without restarting EDGE, it is blocked
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    some kind of old ASUS MB
    CPU
    old AMD B95
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    8gb
    Hard Drives
    ssd WD 500 gb
I also just tested it

Code:
0.0.0.0 reddit.com
0.0.0.0 www.reddit.com

Simply works. I also opened 4 tabs of reddit before entering it in to the host file. It diddn’t prevent the site from being blocked instantly after the fact. using Firefox.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 1 x 24" LG M38H 1 x 32" LF6300 TV Monitor 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    2 x WD something Something 8TB HDD's / 2 x WD something Something 4TB HDD's / 1 x EVO 1TB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB SSD's / 1 x EVO 250 GB SSD / 2 x QVO 1TB (External Hub) / 1 x EVO 1TB (Portable Backup Case)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22621.2215
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Graphics processor is an Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    some kind of old ASUS MB
    CPU
    old AMD B95
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    8gb
    Hard Drives
    ssd WD 500 gb
I just looked up Redit's ttl it;s set to 3 hours using
Code:
nslookup -debug www.reddit.com

Code:
ANSWERS:
    ->  www.reddit.com
        canonical name = reddit.map.fastly.net
        ttl = 10794 (2 hours 59 mins 54 secs)
    ->  reddit.map.fastly.net
        internet address = 151.101.1.140
        ttl = 24 (24 secs)
    ->  reddit.map.fastly.net
        internet address = 151.101.193.140
        ttl = 24 (24 secs)
    ->  reddit.map.fastly.net
        internet address = 151.101.129.140
        ttl = 24 (24 secs)
    ->  reddit.map.fastly.net
        internet address = 151.101.65.140
        ttl = 24 (24 secs)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
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