Setting Up the Hosts File Shields

You can set up Spy Sweeper to continuously monitor two functions related to the Hosts file. The Hosts file is a Windows file that helps direct your computer to a Web site using Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Your Web browser, for example Internet Explorer, uses the IP address to actually connect you to a Web site.

When you go to a Web site, like www.webroot.com, your computer first looks in the Hosts file to see if it already knows where to go. If the domain (webroot.com) is listed, your computer goes directly to the IP address listed in the Hosts file. If the domain is not in the Hosts file, your computer looks up the information from the Internet (a slightly slower process).

The Hosts file has two primary uses, one good and one bad:

Good—You can block a lot of adware cookies and other monitoring by using the Hosts file to route certain domains, such as advertising sites, to a dead end.
Bad—Some spyware, adware, or unwanted programs will route certain domains to false addresses, for example, by making a commonly used search site open to a porn site. We call this hijacking.

Using Spy Sweeper to manage the Hosts file, you can block a lot of unwanted adware activity, while preventing your Internet browsing from being hijacked.

When Spy Sweeper detects activity related to the Hosts File Shield, it displays an alert. For more information, see Handling Alerts and Warnings.

If the shields are unavailable (dimmed), you may not have access to this function. For more information, see Understanding How Spy Sweeper Works with Multiple User Accounts.

Note: This section describes highly technical features associated with how your computer finds the actual address of a Web site. The features described here will not damage your computer or remove anything you need if you enable them, but the underlying technology is complex if you are not aware of how IP addressing works.

To set up Hosts File Shields:

Start Spy Sweeper, if it is not already open, and display the main window.
For more information, see Starting Spy Sweeper.
In the icon panel, click Shields.
For information about the Spy Sweeper window, see Understanding the Spy Sweeper Window.
The Shields panel displays, showing a summary of the available shields and their status. A check mark means the shield is turned on. An x means the shield is not turned on.
Click the Hosts File tab.
The Hosts File tab displays.
Select the options you want to use.

Click to see a description of each option.

Option	Description
Hosts File Shield	This option actively watches the Hosts file for any changes. Some programs will add or change the IP address for a Web site in the Hosts file. When you try to go to the added or changed Web site, you will really go to a different Web site, such as an advertising site. This shield ensures that programs do not change an IP address without you being aware of it. For more information about what happens when an IP address changes, see Handling Alerts and Warnings.
Common Ad Sites Shield	This option adds known advertising sites to your Hosts file and sets the IP address for those sites to the IP address for your computer. This blocks banner and other advertising from these sites. When you go to a Web site that has advertising from one of the blocked sites, you may see a small graphic that indicates a broken link to a graphic (typically a red x in a box). This just shows where the blocked ad would display. Spy Sweeper updates these sites when you update your definitions. For more information, see Working with the Common Ad Sites Shield.