What is the hosts file?  Is it something that we (the users) should be aware of and use it to our advantage ?

Thanks...

Ned

Hosts file maps hosts to IP addresses.
If you type in a .com address [or .net, etc.] and the browser opens another address instead, then your hosts file is corrupted.
To correct the problem, you will probably have to delete the hosts file on your computer. It is located at system root\system 32\drivers\etc. [system root is normally C:\Windows for an individual computer]
If your computer doesn't have a listing here for the web site you typed in, then it contacts the DNS server assigned by your internet provider to get one.

You can find a lot of useful info here at

http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/

Your HOSTS file should normally be in C:\WINDOWS, should be in CAPITAL LETTERS and does not have an extension. You could run a shortcut to your Desktop for convenince.

See if you've got a file called HOSTS.SAM. This is a sample hosts file.

There is another thread about this here

http://www.regvac.com/forum/b-websites/m-1155588688/