win8 You can

[StevenJ]

Ah, that makes sense.

I would be curious to know if other high-profile sites are prevented from being redirected as well. I'd expect at least the Alexa top 50. Right now, we can justify each of those sites individually, but if it's ONLY those two sites, it's worth questioning.

Not really. Remember that Microsoft participated in taking down several botnets, as well as their ongoing security work. They may have learned that those two domains are targeted several times more than others, hence the block.

[evacc44]

All of you conspiracy theorists out there can put away your tinfoil hats. They are not allowing facebook.com doubleclick.net etc. from being redirected because those are the most popular sites for malware authors to redirect. I'm sure there are other sites includes in this list of sites that can't be redirected with Defender enabled.

Do you really think Microsoft wants to protect Google's ad network from being blocked? Stop being paranoid.

[The Dark Knight]

hosts file is not meant for website blocking or anything other kind of blocking. when are people going to learn this.

Out of curiosity, why not? I have been using a HOSTS file for years with no problems. It works very well.

[Jack 0Neill]

a good, educational read: Blocking Malware and Advertisements Safely

[Growled Member]

Like any new product it takes a while to work out the kinks.

[FaeGiN]

hosts file is not meant for website blocking or anything other kind of blocking. when are people going to learn this.

What a pointless comment. It does NOT MATTER what it is MEANT for. The fact is that people are using it for domain blocking ever since MS OS was so useless at security even from a mere ad domain that gives out popups or whatever. People are using it so your concept for people to 'learn' what it is for is hopeless.

[FaeGiN]

a good, educational read: Blocking Malware and Advertisements Safely

You think that SpywareBlaster is not easy to get around either by malware? All it takes is a change of permissions and then a write to the part of the registry that SpywareBlaster stores the domain list in. Wow. Not difficult.

In fact, exactly as difficult as malware affecting changes to the HOSTS file that you said earlier wasn't safe. If you watch your system and have a few security programs in placer, then yopu are doing better than those who have not. Saying the HOSTS file is not for blocking, based on histroical usage and ... tradition(?!) is silly when your advice is to use a program that pretty much has about as much protection as the HOSTS. Adblock Plus should be installed as standard but it still leaves a lot of (HOSTS blockable) domains out. I find this when I am surfing with the HOSTS disabled.

[cork1958]

Personally,

That's a load of crap that ANYTHING would block the ability to block Facebook, whether via host file or other means. I don't care how big and popular that POS site is!!

I don't block Facebook, but also never use it or visit it.

[TPreston]

hosts file is not meant for website blocking or anything other kind of blocking. when are people going to learn this.

+1 The hosts file is limited in that it can only block complete domains, Better to do your content filtering on the router or secure gateway & disable the hosts file via the registry so malware cant do a man in the middle attack using it

[grik]

Look how big facebook.com is. If some trojan decided to link it to a different IP within the hosts file, thats why it only does some domain names. Malware authors dont care about picsofmygranny.com with its 5 users

Thats sums about it. Of course facebook is an sure URL that 90% would visit for certain. A fake website in the end of it with the HOST File vulnerable would be fantastic to spread.

Nice call MS.

[FloatingFatMan]

Thats sums about it. Of course facebook is an sure URL that 90% would visit for certain. A fake website in the end of it with the HOST File vulnerable would be fantastic to spread.

Nice call MS.

Of course, they COULD be smarter about it and check the address being redirected TO. If it's to localhost, leave it be.

[+John Teacake MVC]

Malware authors dont care about picsofmygranny.com with its 5 users

You mean the porn site? :-p

[remixedcat]

block it in your router then if you really don't want it... my router has a thing you can block by url or even keywords.... give that a shot and see if that helps....

[scaramonga]

Facebook should be blocked automatically as the 'default' 'in any OS, upon install, and left to the user to decide whether to unblock.

[Belazor]

Facebook should be blocked automatically as the 'default' 'in any OS, upon install, and left to the user to decide whether to unblock.

Yup, it makes perfect sense to block one of the primary reasons for owning a computer to people who don't work with computers and force everyone to either find out where to unblock it, or go through a wizard on first install to unblock it.

GENUIS.

I do hope you're trolling...

[Growled Member]

block it in your router then if you really don't want it... my router has a thing you can block by url or even keywords.... give that a shot and see if that helps....

That's what I would do too, if I wanted to block it. I still find it hard to believe you can't use the host file to easily do this in Windows 8.

[scaramonga]

Yup, it makes perfect sense to block one of the primary reasons for owning a computer to people who don't work with computers and force everyone to either find out where to unblock it, or go through a wizard on first install to unblock it.

GENUIS.

I do hope you're trolling...

One of the primary reasons for owning a computer is Facebook? lol!! I think not :laugh: For the sake of one's security, it should be blocked permanently and forgotten about, so no, not trolling, I'm serious :)

[remixedcat]

That's what I would do too, if I wanted to block it. I still find it hard to believe you can't use the host file to easily do this in Windows 8.

like other said, mabye becuase of attacks or someone was paid off... LOL... but still they should give users the choice....

[Growled Member]

^ I'd go for paid off.

[remixedcat]

yep :(

[Lord Method Man]

I agree that Facebook should be blocked by default, in fact there shouldn't even be an option to unblock it.

[Shane Nokes]

It's simple folks...the block is due to man-in-the-middle attacks. Secure things properly, don't look for workarounds that cause more problems later on.

[Noir Angel]

One of the primary reasons for owning a computer is Facebook? lol!! I think not :laugh: For the sake of one's security, it should be blocked permanently and forgotten about, so no, not trolling, I'm serious :)

I agree that Facebook should be blocked by default, in fact there shouldn't even be an option to unblock it.

So a billion or more people should be prevented from using something they love and enjoy to satisfy your personal hatred? Classy.

[Growled Member]

I agree that Facebook should be blocked by default, in fact there shouldn't even be an option to unblock it.

Let's not go that far. A lot of people do like Facebook. I just want my host file to work like it use to.

[tiagosilva29]

block it in your router then if you really don't want it...

Unless the router has filtering per machine it really doesn't help me in my case. I have everything blocked in my hosts file, while my wife has to have everything in the clear. Meh.