Solved Block website instructions with HOST file no good?

Josey Wales · Oct 23, 2023

Kees said:
I am using an extension for my Browser to block unwanted sites. It's called BlockSite and exists for Firefox, but seems to be there as well for Chrome and Edge (and may be other browsers as well).

As I am using only Firefox I can only tell you how it functions in that program: excellent, for blocked sites you get a warning that the site is blocked. You even can link to another https adress if you like that should replace the unwanted site.

When using the method via the Host file, you get no warning message at all, only a browser that is telling you the adress is non-existing or not findable. I used that method before but it's not convenient because you don't know if the site is not reachable because it was blocked in the Host file or that it really does not exist (or may be you made a typing error when manually typing the adress in the https bar).

If you use an extension it will slow your system down and also cause Bloat. I HOST file block is as small as a text file. I do not need to be told that the site is blocked as I am the one who blocks it, and not some Addon Developer that you don't know what they do with the info. Using the HOST's File is 100 % secure.

Almighty1 · Oct 23, 2023

Digital Life said:
Actually nslookup does not use the hosts or the cache file it goes straight to DNS.

It will use whatever DNS server the OS uses or one that you specify in the command.
EG: use googles dns server

Code:

nslookup example.com 8.8.8.8

Yeah, you are right.