| Next: No Audio Device - help 23 |
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laxbillw
Joined: Jun 17, 2003
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:05 am Post subject: |
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Is it possible for a virus to block specific web sites? If so, what can I do about it? Since being hit by the Allim worm and then Spybot this past week, I have not been able to go to Symnatec.com or TrendMicro.com. I'm running Windows XP Home.
bill |
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angus
Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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Is it possible for a virus to block specific web sites? If so, what can I do about it?
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Yes, some forms of malware can do that ... through your hosts file ... check that you have folder options set up to show hidden and system files, look in (Windows/WINNT) system32/drivers/etc ... at least that's where mine is ... if not, use search with advanced options to show hidden and system files ... MAKE A BACKUP COPY ... open it in Notepad, remove any entries that refer to sites you can't get to, save and try the sites again ...
Hope it helps ...
Angus |
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Rons
Joined: Dec 07, 2002
Posts: 5667
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| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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Another option - replace your host files with one that provides added security to our system:
MVP Host File
Just a thought.  |
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silmaril8n
Joined: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 1743
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm in awe of viruses sometimes. The first time I saw one put anti-virus websites in the HOSTS file I was floored. Impressed. And floored. Then I killed the virus. |
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laxbillw
Joined: Jun 17, 2003
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Is it possible for a virus to block specific web sites? If so, what can I do about it?
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Yes, some forms of malware can do that ... through your hosts file ... check that you have folder options set up to show hidden and system files, look in (Windows/WINNT) system32/drivers/etc ... at least that's where mine is ... if not, use search with advanced options to show hidden and system files ... MAKE A BACKUP COPY ... open it in Notepad, remove any entries that refer to sites you can't get to, save and try the sites again ...
Hope it helps ...
Angus
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Should I clear out that file? Or just the sites that are blocked? And why the backup copy?
bill |
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silmaril8n
Joined: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 1743
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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Should I clear out that file? Or just the sites that are blocked? And why the backup copy?
bill
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You should make a backup of any file within the Windows directory before editing it. Just in case...
My HOSTS file looks like this before I add in my own entries. At bare minimum you should probably leave that part alone.
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# Copyright © 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 |
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laxbillw
Joined: Jun 17, 2003
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you. I'll follow your instructions.
bill
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