It has bugged me for a long time but these web sites that pump ads at us are slowing down the internet because every time we open up a page it goes out to these sites and finds an add then loads the adds before the page opens or shortly after.  

There is a file on your computer called a HOST file that can be used to thwart these guys.  What this file does is redirect that website to another place. The Hosts file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. This file is loaded into memory (cache) at startup, then Windows checks the Hosts file before it queries any DNS servers, which enables it to override addresses in the DNS. This prevents access to the listed sites by redirecting any connection attempts back to the local (your) machine.  Example - the following entry 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net blocks all files supplied by that DoubleClick Server to the web page you are viewing. This also prevents the server from tracking your movements. Why? ... because in certain cases "Ad Servers" like Doubleclick (and many others) will try to open a separate connection on the web page you are viewing.  Google now Owns double click but that does not make it any less annoying.   

You may also get an alert dialog from Widows saying that someone is trying to Hijack your host file, that's okay just click ignore as you are the one doing the hijacking.

Steps to stop these adds

• Find YOUR host file located in different locations depending on your operating system

• Windows Vista	=	C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
  Windows XP	=	C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
  Windows 2K	=	C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
  Win 98/ME	=	C:\WINDOWS

• There is a very simple way to fix this situation if you are using XP by downloading a simple zip file that contains a batch file that will do the work for you.  By doing this you will be blocking thousands of adds that will not only speed up your Internet but also block potential dangerous SEPARATE CONNECTIONS plus these sites will no longer be able to track you.

• For further information click on link below.  This also contain information on how to change the host file if you are using Vista and also if the large host file slows down the system, a way to turn off the service (not needed) and prevent the slowdown   http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

• If you have any trouble Please contact Me or Todday.com for further instructions we will be happy to help FREE of charge..

• REMEMBER to reboot your Computer after the host file has been Changed!  This will reload the Host file into Memory so that it can start blocking those adds and tracking.. 

Tested in IE 5.5, Netscape 4.08 and Netscape 6.2.