Why the hosts file is reset periodically?

Hello, I would like to redirect an IP address to a localhost, but whenever something comes back the original contents of the hosts file.

I open windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts with Notepad under run as administrator, and then make a change in the hosts file. All new Vett are redirecting to localhost (127.0.0.1), but suddenly some time my hosts file is returned to the original state.

My system runs Windows Vista x 64-bit edition.
What can change my hosts file and how to make a constant change in it?

Best regards
Voronkov Konstantin

Konstantin,

I'm not familiar with VPNS modifying the file hosts as Brian suggested. Also, VPNS are a bit outside the scope of support here in answers and if you need more information about the VPN, I would recommend display in TechNet Windows Vista Networking:

http://social.technet.Microsoft.com/forums/en-us/itprovistanetworking/threads

From personal experience, I find some antivirus software will monitor and restore the hosts file. If the host file is always reset to 0, you can perform a clean boot, use the system and see if the file resets. If not, it means that something in startup is reset the hosts file and from there you can determine what startup item is causing the problem.

Check out the link below for instructions to boot:

http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/929135

I hope this helps!

Cody C
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft answers feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Tags: Windows

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