The hosts file is a key system file that allows you to create correspondences between host names and IP addresses. This allows you to speed up the DNS queries and to block the access from/to certain domains, among other interesting tasks. Although the hosts file can be edited with any standard text editor, HostsMan provides you with an easy yet powerful way to do it.
First of all, the program allows you to enable or disable the use of the hosts file, and shows you its current status. Then, you can start editing it using the HostsMan's editor. This editor visualizes the contents of your hosts file and allows you to add or remove comments and host name/IP address correspondences. Using the HostsMan's editor, you will avoid many errors that may occur when editing your hosts file with a standard text editor directly.
Another very helpful tool included with HostsMan is the hosts updater. It allows you to update your hosts file's contents automatically from one or more reliable servers of your choice. Those servers provide up-to-date information about domains that contain ads or malware, and include this information into your hosts file. Now you system can block access to those domains and keep itself protected.
Furthermore, the program includes some extra tools and functions that may come in handy to you, especially if you are a network administrator. One of these tools is the host name resolver, that allows you to get the IP address that corresponds to a given host name by using either your hosts file or the standard DNS system. The program also provides you with commands to find duplicates on your hosts file, remove comments from it, and rearrange the hosts list. Finally, HostsMan allows you to create an exclusion list, so that you can prevent certain host names from being added to your hosts file.
All in all, HostsMan offers you a simple yet powerful set of tools to keep a clean and up-to-date hosts file. Best of all – you can use it for free. Therefore, I would recommend any system or network administrator to give it a try.
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