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July 18

Immunization (not for Covid)

I use Spybot Search and Destroy for antivirus. The application has a step when they offer you to immunize. Immunize what? I presume it is something in the registry, but this Wikipedia article says otherwise[1]. How does it work? AboutFace 22 (talk) 21:36, 18 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The article you linked to states "Spybot-S&D has an Immunize function to block the installation of spyware before it occurs e.g. by modifying the hosts file". Does that not answer your question?--Shantavira|^{feed me} 07:41, 19 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

See also the FAQ page What is Immunization? on the website of Spybot's developer. --Lambiam 07:47, 19 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Of course, that sentence about the host file did not answer my question. What is the host file? Where is it located? The Spybot website page is more informative, but still I would prefer mode details, although it clarifies many things. Thanks AboutFace 22 (talk) 13:47, 19 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

In the article you linked, hosts file is in blue, which means that it is a link to information about the hosts file.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 15:38, 19 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

And that article has a section titled "Internet resource blocking" which describes this use of the hosts file. Essentially, the entries in the hosts file serve as a blacklist, which override the name-to-IP-address mapping provided by your DNS service. If you attempt to access one of the domains listed in the hosts file, you will be directed to a harmless alternate IP address rather than the real address of the presumably malicious site. CodeTalker (talk) 00:58, 20 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you all, AboutFace 22 (talk) 00:22, 21 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]