Windows 8 Changes Host File Blocking

[Everlong]

Windows 8 Changes Host File Blocking - Slashdot

The change does seem to be how Windows Defender works. Following the link to the main article on there explains that disabling Windows Defender will stop this behaviour.

 

[eXcite]

Thank you for this! Just disabled the Windows Defender service.

 

[davehc]

I would say, off the cuff, that the report is in error. I have personal reasons for examining the host file from time to time. I have never found any unauthorised alterations there.

 

[Kernel]

Wow, I'll have to check on this behavior to see if it is indeed true. If so, it's a poor choice by Redmond.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I'm on my 7 side presently, but I noticed when installing and using Office 2013 Preview in my 8 that they have a sharing with friends option with Facebook. This is also true with Bing. This must be a partnership between Facebook and M$. Could this pertain to this issue? What about ad.doubleclick.net? Are they in cahoots with them as well?

 

[Coke Robot]

Microsoft has invested a bit in Facebook as they see that and other social media as potential. Facebook just happens to be the bee's knees at the moment, so they're more on Facebook.



It's kind of interesting what they did with Bing. They made searching more social so you can easily ask a question on social media so you can get an answer. I find it interesting, but won't take off for a while.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Microsoft has invested a bit in Facebook as they see that and other social media as potential. Facebook just happens to be the bee's knees at the moment, so they're more on Facebook.

It's kind of interesting what they did with Bing. They made searching more social so you can easily ask a question on social media so you can get an answer. I find it interesting, but won't take off for a while.

Thanks for the video in your sig, Coke. Nice idea!

A little off topic, but yes, it's all about being social and acquiring information, especially being a mobile society. I come from a huge family, Check my profile. There's around 100 to 120 at our family Christmas party. I can't possibly call a quarter of them let alone all. I have enough just to keep up with my children and grand-children, but I can gain more info about the whole family via social sites.

So far as Bing.....What's more appealing here?........

View attachment 7961

View attachment 7962

Google Smoogle. I think Bing is. It's just as good a search engine too!

 

[davehc]

Just a polite query. Did I misunderstand the thread title and OP?
Can't quite get the connection to using Facebook??

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Just a polite query. Did I misunderstand the thread title and OP?
Can't quite get the connection to using Facebook??

It looks as though M$ is allowing these two domains access for a particular reason. I'm sure we'll all find out what that is soon. Please refer to my 1st post about Office 3013. Then take a look at a Bing page. Facebook sharing there also.

 

[davehc]

Thanks. But what is the direct connection with the "Host" file?

 

[Phone Man]

Thanks. But what is the direct connection with the "Host" file?

I believe the article said if you are blocking facebook in the Hosts file it will get unblocked by Windows Defender modifying the Hosts file. A work around is to exclude the Hosts file in Windows Defender.
Here is the original article:

You can’t block Facebook using Windows 8′s hosts file

Jim

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Thanks. But what is the direct connection with the "Host" file?

Hi Dave.

I can't mention the name of the software here for it would be against rules, but on my 7 machine I have a host blocking program installed. It blocks known malicious sites. It does so well that it will even block certain ads in a browser. Obviously M$ doesn't want these two domains blocked. I'm just speculating that M$ doesn't want Facebook blocked so users can use their services from within other Window products via "Sharing".

 

[davehc]

Ok. Thanks Hippsie. I cannot comment on a third party app, obviously. But, without doubt, My "host" file, in System32, is never altered, nor could it be from an outside source. There may be reasons why some users would want to edit it to include Facebook, but I cannot, off the cuff, think of a reason. I don't use social sites so have not experimented with the idea.
It does seem to me, however, (tongue in cheek here!), that, reading the original article, which has been copied into countless sites on the web, that the "author", who remains "anon", may be a senior employee of a rival anti virus organisation - lol.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Ok. Thanks Hippsie. I cannot comment on a third party app, obviously. But, without doubt, My "host" file, in System32, is never altered, nor could it be from an outside source. There may be reasons why some users would want to edit it to include Facebook, but I cannot, off the cuff, think of a reason. I don't use social sites so have not experimented with the idea.
It does seem to me, however, (tongue in cheek here!), that, reading the original article, which has been copied into countless sites on the web, that the "author", who remains "anon", may be a senior employee of a rival anti virus organisation - lol.

I take it you have a blocking program also. I'm sure your more technically advanced than I. I think in the administration control panel of Office 2013 Enterprise 365, one can configure it to allow others in a network to "share" on Facebook there publishing. I'll have to look to make sure. "Sharing" is an up and coming thing. All related to the "Cloud".

LQQk on a Bing page. There's a little Facebook "Like" icon so that one may vote on Facebook? I don't have a Facebook account, so I don't know where that leads. Push it. The Facebook popup for login appears. It also says "Log in to Facebook to personalize your experience with this social plugin".

Perhaps someone can share what this means -> Please?

Although all this may be helpful to some who want to use this option, I think M$ nor anyone do not have the right to change anything in one's system unless they have permission.

LOL on the author comment! In all probability that, or someone from iApple!

 

[Kernel]

Ok. Thanks Hippsie. I cannot comment on a third party app, obviously. But, without doubt, My "host" file, in System32, is never altered, nor could it be from an outside source. There may be reasons why some users would want to edit it to include Facebook, but I cannot, off the cuff, think of a reason. I don't use social sites so have not experimented with the idea.
It does seem to me, however, (tongue in cheek here!), that, reading the original article, which has been copied into countless sites on the web, that the "author", who remains "anon", may be a senior employee of a rival anti virus organisation - lol.

I take it you have a blocking program also. I'm sure your more technically advanced than I. I think in the administration control panel of Office 2013 Enterprise 365, one can configure it to allow others in a network to "share" on Facebook there publishing. I'll have to look to make sure. "Sharing" is an up and coming thing. All related to the "Cloud".

LQQk on a Bing page. There's a little Facebook "Like" icon so that one may vote on Facebook? I don't have a Facebook account, so I don't know where that leads. Push it. The Facebook popup for login appears. It also says "Log in to Facebook to personalize your experience with this social plugin".

Perhaps someone can share what this means -> Please?

Although all this may be helpful to some who want to use this option, I think M$ nor anyone do not have the right to change anything in one's system unless they have permission.

LOL on the author comment! In all probability that, or someone from iApple!

Highly recommend the Ghostery plugin for Firefox (or any other browser) if you are not interested in Facebook tracking your every move on the net.

It easily stops the Facebook Beacon and also Conversion Tracking, as well as a thousand+ others right in their tracks, on any and all sites you may visit.

Ghostery

 

[davehc]

In answer to the last two posts. No, I do not have a separate blocking progra, nor, until now, do I feel a need for one. As I implied, I have no interest in Social sites, nor have I ever had interference from them, so it remains of little interest to me. I must confess, although an experienced computer user, I was not even aware that there were third party blocking programs, other than those for adware.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Highly recommend the Ghostery plugin for Firefox (or any other browser) if you are not interested in Facebook tracking your every move on the net.

It easily stops the Facebook Beacon and also Conversion Tracking, as well a thousand+ others right in their tracks, on any and all sites you may visit.

Thanks for the tidbit, Kernel (Klink)

Does this bypass what they are accusing M$ doing through Defender?

 

[Kernel]

Thanks for the tidbit, Kernel (Klink)

Does this bypass what they are accusing M$ doing through Defender?

You're welcome.

Short answer, no.

Facebook, THE website, can be blocked just like any other address in hosts file.

Ghostery blocks all the trackers embedded on 90-95% of the web. So rare to see a "clean" site and this website is amongst the much, much better ones with only Google Analytics.

So to sum up the above sentences - you can still put facebook.com in the hosts file and Windows 8 will still try to remove the entry under normal circumstances if the article is correct. Ghostery just blocks all of their tracking methods when you visit any site that has trackers. About 95% of web sites have them, by my estimated guess. Install it and you can see what I mean.

Basically, 2 separate things to consider.

 

[davehc]

"Trackers" would be cookies?
I clean these out on an automatic basis, when closing a browser. It does mean I have to log in again, whenever I go to a site - not a gigantic task.
When I first encountered the Internet, it was obvious that website visit could be used by sellers and advertisers to possibly make me offers, or even create a "profile" , possibly anonymous, for the various statistics which one reads on the internet
I was particularly conscious of this for purchase I made, normally with credit cards. However reliable the organisátion, they are normally made up of a multitude of employees of mixed morals, who, unless subjected to internal security could track me and pass on the information to interested parties. In our own line of interest on this forum - Microsoft -, imagine the number of employees, even those with more direct access. Are they all scrupulously honest. It is eveident from the speed of leaks of new software, that they are most definitely not. The on famous guy, of course, who advertises himself as a Microsoft "janitor" - Canouna. (I do believe he has finall been tracked down and is now seeking legal help?)


I was half sure that my online email could be openly accessed as well. Most alarming as revealed in another forum site a few months ago, is that the Admin, at least, could access PMs. (This is no reference to the possible lack of morals of our team here!!) But on that site, not only did the Admin/owner refer to a members PM to another, but actually flamed him in an outbreak of rather poor terms.

Anyway, just looked back. This post is too long. My whole point was that,if you consider the nature of these trackers, I cannot see that any so-called anti tracking software would work anything like close to 100% efficiency. But maybe those who have more experience of them would disagree?

 

[HippsieGypsie]

@ Kernel

Thanks for answering and the explanation. I learned something.

@ davehc

Yes, we all must be careful of online business. No human being is perfect. Some are just more morally upright than others. O know in my own experience that my wrongdoings will always find me out.

All in all, this topic here, if true, has to do with someone changing our systems without our consent. It's just not right. It's intrusion.