Knowledge Base Article Number: Q453237

Question by: Hot Tip    Answered by: Daniel Hyles / Adam Cogan / Joe Hardy    Last Updated: 2/03/2005 3:16:21 PM

Spot an error? Please comment about this article

Question:

Can I block those annoying internet banners and save bandwidth?

Answer:
I reckon the most annoying thing on the Internet is advertising banners. These things are not only ugly, but they also slow my Internet connection down wasting my time and money.

I have two solutions to eliminate these banners, before they even start to download.

Option 1: Fix for all users in ISA Server

This is the best method if you have an ISA server on your network.
We setup a Site and Content Rule on ISA that includes the URL’s from the major known advertisement servers so ISA will not request anything from these servers.

You will need to download these 2 files to a directory (eg. C:\temp)
ISA_Ads.vbs (Run this on your ISA server)
ISA_Ads.xml (This contains a list of sites that will be added)

Then run the .vbs file. This is a script that automatically creates the Site and Content Rule in ISA and then loops through the xml file and adds each url to it.

Then open up ISA to and you will see this


Option 2: Manually modify ‘hosts’ file on the client machine

(I know this works on Windows 2000/WinXP)

1. All you have to do is click your "Start" button, then click on "Run".

2. Type in "Winnt\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts" and click "OK" (Yes this is a file without an extension).

3. When a window comes up called "Open With", scroll down the list until you find "Wordpad", then click "OK"


You should now have some text on your screen looking something like.

4. See the text "127.0.0.1 localhost" at the bottom? Well replace it with this....

# Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 localhost 127.0.0.1 jeeves.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 ads.web.aol.com 127.0.0.1 ads.fp.sandpiper.net 127.0.0.1 ads.link4ads.com 127.0.0.1 js-adex3.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 ad-adex3.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 ads.fairfax.com.au 127.0.0.1 images.ads.fairfax.com.au 127.0.0.1 adforce.imgis.com 127.0.0.1 ad1.pamedia.com.au 127.0.0.1 ad.usatoday.com 127.0.0.1 ads-ussnv.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 us.a1.yimg.com 127.0.0.1 adfarm.mediaplex.com 127.0.0.1 ads25.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 a32.g.a.yimg.com #YahooAds 127.0.0.1 ads-e.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads.admonitor.net 127.0.0.1 www.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.com 127.0.0.1 ads.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ads.doubleclick.com 127.0.0.1 m.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 adserver.ugo.com 127.0.0.1 ads.msn.com 127.0.0.1 ad.webprovider.com 127.0.0.1 image.linkexchange.com 127.0.0.1 jeeves.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 www.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 www.burstmedia.com 127.0.0.1 www.247media.com 127.0.0.1 www.ad-venture.com 127.0.0.1 www.adauction.com 127.0.0.1 www.adsdaq.com 127.0.0.1 www.pagecount.com 127.0.0.1 www1.pagecount.com 127.0.0.1 www2.pagecount.com 127.0.0.1 www3.pagecount.com 127.0.0.1 www4.pagecount.com 127.0.0.1 ad.linkexchange.com 127.0.0.1 www.smartclicks.com 127.0.0.1 mojofarm.mediaplex.com 127.0.0.1 www.etour.com #ads in GetRight 127.0.0.1 www.clickxchange.com 127.0.0.1 www.commission-junction.com 127.0.0.1 servedby.advertising.com 127.0.0.1 ads.devx.com 127.0.0.1 ad.au.doubleclick.net # Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 ads.enliven.com 127.0.0.1 remotead.cnet.com 127.0.0.1 servedby.advertising.com 127.0.0.1 ads.snowball.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.ign.com 127.0.0.1 ads.msn.com 127.0.0.1 global.msads.net 127.0.0.1 popup.msn.com 127.0.0.1 ad.preferences.com 127.0.0.1 altfarm.mediaplex.com 127.0.0.1 view.avenuea.com 127.0.0.1 click.avenuea.com 127.0.0.1 ads.ninemsn.com.au 127.0.0.1 media.fastclick.net 127.0.0.1 ads.x10.com 127.0.0.1 ads.clickagents.com 127.0.0.1 ads.fortunecity.com 127.0.0.1 img.cmpnet.com 127.0.0.1 ads.ad-flow.com 127.0.0.1 focusin.ads.targetnet.com 127.0.0.1 st.valueclick.com 127.0.0.1 ads.nwsource.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.tribuneinteractive.com 127.0.0.1 ads3.zdnet.com 127.0.0.1 mjxads.internet.com 127.0.0.1 creatives.as4x.tmcs.net 127.0.0.1 ar.atwola.com 127.0.0.1 toolbar.netscape.com 127.0.0.1 ad2.pamedia.com.au 127.0.0.1 ads.bitsonthewire.com 127.0.0.1 ads.iwin.com 127.0.0.1 graphics4.nytimes.com 127.0.0.1 ads.bfast.com 127.0.0.1 ads.ucomics.com 127.0.0.1 media.fossil.com 127.0.0.1 campaigns.f2.com.au 127.0.0.1 adsrv.news.com.au # <These address have been obtained from Tweak-XP> 127.0.0.1 ad.ca.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.de.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.dk.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.es.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.fr.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.it.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.jp.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.kr.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.linkexchange.com 127.0.0.1 ad.linksynergy.com 127.0.0.1 ad.nl.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.no.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.preferences.com 127.0.0.1 ad.se.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.sma.punto.net 127.0.0.1 ad.uk.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 ad.webprovider.com 127.0.0.1 ad08.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ad1.adcept.net # Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 ad2.adcept.net 127.0.0.1 ad3.adcept.net 127.0.0.1 ad-adex3.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 adcontroller.unicast.com 127.0.0.1 adcreatives.imaginemedia.com 127.0.0.1 adex3.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 adforce.ads.imgis.com 127.0.0.1 adforce.imgis.com 127.0.0.1 adfu.blockstackers.com 127.0.0.1 adimage.blm.net 127.0.0.1 adimages.earthweb.com 127.0.0.1 adimg.egroups.com 127.0.0.1 admedia.xoom.com 127.0.0.1 adpick.switchboard.com 127.0.0.1 adremote.pathfinder.com 127.0.0.1 adres.internet.com 127.0.0.1 ads.adflight.com 127.0.0.1 ads.admaximize.com 127.0.0.1 ads.beguide.net 127.0.0.1 ads.bfast.com 127.0.0.1 ads.clickagents.com 127.0.0.1 ads.clickhouse.com 127.0.0.1 ads.enliven.com 127.0.0.1 ads.eu.msn.com 127.0.0.1 ads.exhedra.com 127.0.0.1 ads.fairfax.com.au 127.0.0.1 ads.fool.com 127.0.0.1 ads.fortunecity.com 127.0.0.1 ads.freshmeat.net 127.0.0.1 ads.hollywood.com 127.0.0.1 ads.i33.com 127.0.0.1 ads.indya.com 127.0.0.1 ads.infi.net 127.0.0.1 ads.jwtt3.com 127.0.0.1 ads.link4ads.com 127.0.0.1 ads.lycos.com 127.0.0.1 ads.madison.com 127.0.0.1 ads.mediaodyssey.com 127.0.0.1 ads.mediaturf.net 127.0.0.1 ads.msn.com 127.0.0.1 ads.ninemsn.com.au 127.0.0.1 ads.rediff.com 127.0.0.1 ads.satyamonline.com 127.0.0.1 ads.seattletimes.com 127.0.0.1 ads.smartclicks.com 127.0.0.1 ads.smartclicks.net 127.0.0.1 ads.sptimes.com 127.0.0.1 ads.tripod.com # Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 ads.web.aol.com 127.0.0.1 ads.x10.com 127.0.0.1 ads.xtra.co.nz 127.0.0.1 ads.zdnet.com 127.0.0.1 ads01.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads02.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads03.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads04.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads05.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads06.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads08.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads09.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads1.activeagent.at 127.0.0.1 ads1.ad-flow.com 127.0.0.1 ads10.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads11.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads12.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads14.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads16.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads17.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads18.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads19.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads2.zdnet.com 127.0.0.1 ads20.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads21.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads22.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads23.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads24.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads25.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ads3.zdnet.com 127.0.0.1 ads3.zdnet.com 127.0.0.1 ads5.gamecity.net 127.0.0.1 adserv.iafrica.com 127.0.0.1 adserv.quality-channel.de 127.0.0.1 adserver.dbusiness.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.garden.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.janes.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.merc.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.monster.com 127.0.0.1 adserver.track-star.com 127.0.0.1 adserver1.ogilvy-interactive.de 127.0.0.1 adtegrity.spinbox.net 127.0.0.1 afservant.guj.de 127.0.0.1 ant.guj.de 127.0.0.1 antfarm-ad.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 au.ads.link4ads.com 127.0.0.1 badservant.guj.de 127.0.0.1 banner.de 127.0.0.1 banner.media-system.de 127.0.0.1 banner.orb.net 127.0.0.1 banner.relcom.ru 127.0.0.1 bannerads.de 127.0.0.1 banners.easydns.com 127.0.0.1 banners.looksmart.com 127.0.0.1 banners.wunderground.com 127.0.0.1 barnesandnoble.bfast.com # Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 beseenad.looksmart.com 127.0.0.1 bizad.nikkeibp.co.jp 127.0.0.1 bn.bfast.com 127.0.0.1 c3.xxxcounter.com 127.0.0.1 califia.imaginemedia.com 127.0.0.1 cash4banner.com 127.0.0.1 cash4banner.de 127.0.0.1 cds.mediaplex.com 127.0.0.1 click.avenuea.com 127.0.0.1 click.go2net.com 127.0.0.1 click.linksynergy.com 127.0.0.1 clickagents.com 127.0.0.1 cookies.cmpnet.com 127.0.0.1 cornflakes.pathfinder.com 127.0.0.1 counter.hitbox.com 127.0.0.1 crux.songline.com 127.0.0.1 ct.iac-online.de 127.0.0.1 erie.smartage.com 127.0.0.1 etad.telegraph.co.uk 127.0.0.1 exchange-it.com 127.0.0.1 fp.valueclick.com 127.0.0.1 fragmentserv.iac-online.de 127.0.0.1 gadgeteer.pdamart.com 127.0.0.1 gm.preferences.com 127.0.0.1 gp.dejanews.com 127.0.0.1 hg1.hitbox.com 127.0.0.1 image.click2net.com 127.0.0.1 image.eimg.com 127.0.0.1 images2.nytimes.com 127.0.0.1 jobkeys.ngadcenter.net 127.0.0.1 kansas.valueclick.com 127.0.0.1 leader.linkexchange.com 127.0.0.1 linkbuddies.com 127.0.0.1 liquidad.narrowcastmedia.com 127.0.0.1 macaddictads.snv.futurenet.com 127.0.0.1 maximumcash.com 127.0.0.1 maximumpcads.imaginemedia.com 127.0.0.1 media.preferences.com 127.0.0.1 megacash.de 127.0.0.1 mercury.rmuk.co.uk 127.0.0.1 mojofarm.sjc.mediaplex.com # Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 n24.de 127.0.0.1 nbc.adbureau.net 127.0.0.1 newads.cmpnet.com 127.0.0.1 ng3.ads.warnerbros.com 127.0.0.1 ngads.smartage.com 127.0.0.1 nsads.hotwired.com 127.0.0.1 ntbanner.digitalriver.com 127.0.0.1 ph-ad05.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ph-ad07.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ph-ad16.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ph-ad17.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 ph-ad18.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 rd.yahoo.com 127.0.0.1 realads.realmedia.com 127.0.0.1 redherring.ngadcenter.net 127.0.0.1 redirect.click2net.com 127.0.0.1 redirect.iac-online.de 127.0.0.1 regio.adlink.de 127.0.0.1 ResponseMedia-ad.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 retaildirect.realmedia.com 127.0.0.1 rs.webmasterplan.com 127.0.0.1 s2.focalink.com 127.0.0.1 secserv.imgis.com 127.0.0.1 sh4banner.de 127.0.0.1 sh4sure-images.adbureau.net 127.0.0.1 spezialreporte.de 127.0.0.1 spin.spinbox.net 127.0.0.1 srv1.bannercommunity.de 127.0.0.1 srv2.bannercommunity.de 127.0.0.1 srv3.bannercommunity.de 127.0.0.1 static.admaximize.com 127.0.0.1 stats.superstats.com 127.0.0.1 Suissa-ad.flycast.com 127.0.0.1 sview.avenuea.com 127.0.0.1 thinknyc.eu-adcenter.net 127.0.0.1 tracker.clicktrade.com 127.0.0.1 tsms-ad.tsms.com 127.0.0.1 UGO.eu-adcenter.net 127.0.0.1 v0.extreme-dm.com 127.0.0.1 v1.extreme-dm.com 127.0.0.1 van.ads.link4ads.com 127.0.0.1 vant.guj.de 127.0.0.1 view.accendo.com 127.0.0.1 view.avenuea.com 127.0.0.1 VNU.eu-adcenter.net 127.0.0.1 w113.hitbox.com 127.0.0.1 w25.hitbox.com 127.0.0.1 web2.deja.com 127.0.0.1 webads.bizservers.com 127.0.0.1 www.admex.com 127.0.0.1 www.ad-up.com # Advertisement servers to block 127.0.0.1 www.alladvantage.com 127.0.0.1 www.bannerads.de 127.0.0.1 www.burstnet.com 127.0.0.1 www.cash4banner.com 127.0.0.1 www.cash4banner.de 127.0.0.1 www.commission-junction.com 127.0.0.1 www.eads.com 127.0.0.1 www.freestats.com 127.0.0.1 www.imaginemedia.com 127.0.0.1 www.megacash.de 127.0.0.1 www.money4exit.de 127.0.0.1 www.netdirect.nl 127.0.0.1 www.nic.co.il 127.0.0.1 www.oneandonlynetwork.com 127.0.0.1 www.PostMasterBannerNet.com 127.0.0.1 www.sponsor2002.de 127.0.0.1 www.targetshop.com 127.0.0.1 www.teknosurf2.com 127.0.0.1 www.teknosurf3.com 127.0.0.1 www.valueclick.com 127.0.0.1 www.websitefinancing.com 127.0.0.1 www.win24.de 127.0.0.1 www2.burstnet.com 127.0.0.1 www4.trix.net 127.0.0.1 www80.valueclick.com 127.0.0.1 z.extreme-dm.com 127.0.0.1 z0.extreme-dm.com 127.0.0.1 z1.extreme-dm.com 127.0.0.1 pop3.norton.antivirus 127.0.0.1 pop3.spa.norton.antivirus # </These address have been obtained from Tweak-XP> # Version: 1.9 5/8/2003 # Please note that there may be a newer version then this. # Please go to # http://www.ssw.com.au/SSW/KB/KB.asp?KBID=Q453237 # for updates. # Email info@ssw.com.au if you find any more

Note that the 127.0.0.1 that is printed before each of these host names is relating to your local computer. If your PC does not have an HTTP server running on it then change this number to a different IP address of someone else’s computer on the network.


5. Save and Close the file of course

6. Now test, close all your browsers then open one up and go to the web address http://www.smh.com.au You should see the text "The page cannot be found" in place where the banner used to be.

Technical Note:
This seems like magic and it does save a bit on your bandwidth - but how does it work? Most banners come from a relatively small amount of web servers - what we want to do it block them all out.

Your PC will always look in the local hosts file before going out to the web. What this tip does is trick your PC into your computer is the ad server aka diverting them to yourself.

Cool Eh!

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