What is hosts
The hosts file is in the folder c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc. Except for comments marked with #, it contains the last row with the local address of the computer: 127.0.0.1 localhost. For Windows 7 and Windows Vista the last lines of the file look a little different: 127.0.0.1 localhost
::1 localhost
In Internet slang, the word "host" in the broad sense understand the server that provides the access to the files. When you enter the domain name of the website into the address bar of any browser first accesses the hosts file on your computer to check whether it contains that name. If the name is not found, access a DNS server that translates domain names into IP addresses. The website opens if the name matches any IP address.
How to change hosts
The desire of employees spend time working in different social networks often annoys employers. Yes, and parents don't always like what children go missing Classmates.ru or Vkontakte. You can block these sites on your computer, if you change the contents of the hosts file. If you can't come to the VC, it is possible that a user with administrator rights next to the IP address of the local computer wrote the domain name of your favorite site:
127.0.0.1 http://vk.com
127.0.0.1 www.vk.com
The site Vkontakte has several "mirrors", ie domain names, so blocking only one of them does not make sense.
In addition, some viruses modify the file by writing to the right of the IP domain name of fake site, where you may be required to send a fee for access to your account.
To go to the VK, you'll need to restore the original meaning of the hosts. Since hosts is a plain text file, modify it using any text editor, e.g. Notepad. Right-click the mouse on the icon of the file and choose "Open with" then "Notepad." The file will then be available for editing. Write down the correct value of a domain name for the local computer depending on Windows version.
You can simply delete the hosts file – after rebooting the system will restore it with default values.
Note: the hosts file has no extension. It is a text file, not a document. If you see an icon hosts.txt quite possibly it's a fake file created by the virus. To see this, in the etc folder go to menu "Tools", choose "folder options" and open the tab "View". Tick the "Show hidden files and folders".
However, it is possible that the virus or the computer administrator has blocked the ability to change the file. Click on its icon, right-click and choose "Properties". Please note, what permissions are on the Security tab. Check the box next to "Allow change" for your account.
If this action is not available, restart the computer and log on in safe mode. To do this, press F8 after initial boot and choose "Safe mode" in the menu of different boot methods. Then try to edit the file or delete it.
There is another way. If you have not blocked the ability to change the hosts file, download it from another computer and install it on your.