When opening up a webpage, we often see advertisements displayed all over the page. Some of these ads can be annoying to look at, or may even try to redirect you to a virus-infected webpage. While not all ads displayed on websites are malicious, many of these ads do affect how fast a webpage opens. For a computer user with a slow Internet connection, any speed increase is surely welcome. Whatever the reason, sometimes computer users find it necessary to block an advertising website such as Tribal Fusion®.

Blocking Websites with the HOSTS File

Computer users who have Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista have a file in one of the operating system folders (SYSTEM32) that is called "HOSTS." This particular file is a local file that acts as a "routing table" for Internet addresses. This file can be configured to route requests from an Internet browser to a different address. For example, if an Internet browser requests a file from "mywebsite.com," the HOSTS file can route that request to another address, such as 127.0.0.1. Due to the finite number of available Internet addresses worldwide, several addresses have been set aside as "local" addresses for use on local area networks (such as an office or home network). These addresses are 10.0.0.1 -- 10.255.255.255, 192.168.0.1 -- 192.168.255.255, and 127.0.0.1. In particular, 127.0.0.1 is set aside as a "local machine" address, which essentially points an Internet browser back to your own computer. In practical terms, then, rerouting any Internet requests for advertising websites to 127.0.0.1 would essentially be equivalent to requesting data from nowhere.

How To Modify the HOSTS File

Assuming that the operating system is installed on a computer's C: drive, the HOSTS file can be found in the following locations: Windows XP and Vista: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC Windows 2000: C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC Right-click on the HOSTS file and select "Open With". Select "Notepad" and the HOSTS file will open for editing. Scroll to the bottom of the page. You will see the following entry: 127.0.0.1 localhost Below that entry, insert the following: 127.0.0.1 tribalfusion.com After you have inserted the entry, save the file and close Notepad. Any new browser requests for files from Tribal Fusion® will be effectively blocked.

Source:

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File; MVPs.org; 2009