Hosts News

Optimizing ReadyBoost

Systems with 2GB Memory or less will see an improvement with ReadyBoost. You should dedicate a (approved) USB Flash Drive and just leave it plugged in ... in other words there is no need to use the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the system tray, even though it exists. This allows you to reboot or shut down the system and Windows will remember and set it up on the next restart.

You should make sure the above setting is enabled (Optimize for quick removal) ... you will find this setting buried in Device Manager, under Disk Drives, highlight your USB device and select: Properties > Policies

ReadyBoost is a nice new feature in Windows Vista, but is not a substitute for Memory it is simply "high-speed cache".

More Info
ReadyBoost Q&A (outdated but informative) | Boost Windows Vista system performance with ReadyBoost 

HOSTS File Update 03-19-07

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [03-19-07]
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Download: hosts.zip (134 kb)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip

How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts2.htm

HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsfaq.htm

Note: the "text" version makes a great resource
for determining possible culprits ... (556 kb)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt

Sign up for HOSTS file update notices
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm#contribute

Malicious Code Appears on Blogger.com

In a warning from Fortinet about malicious code being served up on several Google's blogger sites, the story isn't so much that it happens as much as the method being used (which Fortinet failed to mention). However a similar story at CNET - Phishers attack the green zones provides a better insight into the problem.

"At first it seemed that vandals had used an old-school hacking technique called cross-site scripting to inject malicious iframe links into the displayed pages. Iframes are used by Web designers to open additional windows (often hosted on other sites) within a main Web page. Recently, iframes have been used by criminal hackers to redirect browsers via JavaScript to malicious-code sites hosted elsewhere."

And later in the story ... "In each case, the JavaScript pointed visitors to the Super Bowl or the CDC pages via iframe to malicious content" As I've mentioned before the "IFrame" is the single most exploited setting in Internet Explorer. Turn it off! ... In all my years as a Microsoft MVP I have never had a problem with this setting disabled or found a legitimate site that even uses it.

For IE7 and Windows Vista users this setting is now set to Prompt (default) ... turn it off (disable) anyway!

Editing the HOSTS file generates Event ID: 3004

When you edit the HOSTS file in Windows Vista, Windows Defender (real-time protection) will generate a warning in the Event Viewer about the change. This is normal as long as you really made the change/edit.

The default setting in Windows Defender do not pop-up any kind of message, it just write the above every time there is a change to the HOSTS file. You can also view a similar message from WD, open the program and click History

Dual-Boot Vista and XP = No System Restore!

The only drawback I've found is that XP automatically deletes the System Restore files in Windows Vista. There does not appear to be a feasable work-around ... and yes I've even tried hiding the (Vista) drive using Tweak UI in Windows XP (doesn't work) ...

So a word to the wise ... prior to any major install of either software or hardware (even drivers) make sure you create a Restore Point and do not boot into XP until you are satisified that everything is working properly.

Windows Vista Firewall

Just "Google" Vista's Firewall and you'll find mostly negitive reviews ... and for good reason. The "Inbound" component works much like the XP SP2 version, in that it passes the ShieldsUP test, however the "Outbound" component is de-activated. This means that all outbound traffic is permitted ... ouch!

Now you can activate the Outbound (block all traffic) however Microsoft does not provide any kind of prompt that something wants to make an outbound connection ... it just silently fails. I tried this method for several days and came to the conclusion that a "home-user" would trash their machine before they could figure out all the ins-and-outs.

Microsoft should have included the improved version of OneCare's Firewall interface in Vista.

So now what? ... most of the major Firewall programs are not Vista compatable yet ... duh! there are several of the so-called "Security Suites" that are compatable, but these are now considered "bloatware" ... I did test a freeware add-on "Vista Firewall Control" and found this works fairly well as a program alert. However it fails several basic leak tests including "ping" ... so it's not really ready for prime time.

Looks like we are in for a wait and see ... as with most new programs their first versions will have many problems and revisions. What a shame ... it doesn't look like SunBelt is going to make their  Kerio Firewall "Vista compatable"?

HOSTS file update 03-03-07

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [03-03-07]
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Download: hosts.zip (134 kb)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip

How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts2.htm

HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsfaq.htm

Note: the "text" version makes a great resource
for determining possible culprits ... (555 kb)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt

Sign up for HOSTS file update notices
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm#contribute