Blog for hpHosts, and whatever else I feel like writing about ....

Saturday 14 November 2015

hpHosts: Updated 14th November 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 336,509 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 14/11/2015
  2. Last Verified: 14/11/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Thursday 12 November 2015

McDonalds: Visit their restaurants, use their car park do you? Be prepared for a FINE

And yes, it is a fine, regardless of the weasel words they use.

Little hint:

1. A parking CHARGE comes and is paid for, either before you park or before you leave
2. A fine is levied after the fact

Why am I writing this here? Well short story shorter, I went there on the way to the social club to play pool (I love pool and snooker, playing and watching) to grab a Late, on October 20th. Around 2 weeks or so later, the fuckwits at Civil Enforcement Ltd (aka Creative Car Parks Ltd), sent me a PCN (Parking Charge Notice) for £60 if paid within 14 days, or £100 if paid within 28 days.

Needless to say, I did two things. First and foremost, asked for evidentiary photographs from Civil Enforcement Ltd (yep, still no response), and second, put a complaint in to McDonalds themselves (I visit fairly frequently). I know for a fact I was not there for the 3 odd hours they claim (I was at the social club, with witnesses). The first reply I got from McDonalds simply asked for details, but gave me hope.

The PCN I received (personal details redacted of course):



The letter I received from McDonalds made me instantly decide I am never going to visit another of their restaurants again (will mean one hell of a headache from my son (he loves McDonalds), but after this, I do not care). It simply advised I contact the company that issued the fine (sorry, "Charge" (IT IS A FINE DAMMIT!)).

To put simply, why am I writing about this here? Let me count the ways;

1. I did my work experience with McDonalds (different restaurant, same company) from the age of 14, and took a full time job when I left (it involved cleaning - I LOVE CLEANING!)
2. I was parked for at most, 20 minutes
3. McDonalds are simply asking for details, then claiming they are not responsible and pointing me to the company that issued the fine (OI McDonalds, YOU CONTRACTED THEM)
4. I visited one of 3 of their restaurants 3-4 times+ per week, and this is how they treat their customers?

Allow me to put it this way.

You are allowed 90 minutes free parking (yep, I'd happily pay if it were required instead), and visit (drive-through or otherwise), then popping back later, whether your kids decide they needs the toilet, you've forgotten something, they've screwed up (none of which was the case here) etc etc etc - you're risking a fine.

Further, the wankhole of a company that issued the fine you'll note, specified a road and postcode YOU CAN NEVER PARK ON, leading to the assumption it is the hotel to blame, when it clearly isn't (I went to the hotel, they made it clear it was McDonalds to blame (not the first time it has happened apparently)).

FYI, a PCN should ALWAYS include;

1. Details of where you were parked
2. Photographic evidence

Needless to say, I am boycotting McDonalds, and shall be fighting this.

Sunday 1 November 2015

Including the hpHosts ad/tracking servers list in your programs?

I've seen quite a bit of chatter recently regarding which URL it should be when including the ad and tracking servers list in things such as AdAway, uBlock etc. Thought I'd pop a note here. The correct URL is;

http://hosts-file.net/ad_servers.txt

There was an issue previously where ad_servers.asp would redirect to a rather strangely formatted URL when redirecting to this file, which is why I'd not recommend it (aside from anything else, it's likely the sites entire codebase is to be re-written in the near future, which will also see the end of the use of ASP (various reasons for this, most notably, lack of native DNS support etc), where the .txt files will not be changing.

If you're using the individual classification files, you'll also notice you no longer need to include the hphosts-partial file, as the individual classification files are updated every single time a site is added/updated/removed.

If you've got any questions, feel free to email me, or drop by the forums.

Sunday 11 October 2015

USA: I'm confused

Okay, I'm officially confused. Watching a documentary on BBC Three at present about the KKK, and something has confused the hell out of me. Namely

1. The KKK and Nazi party claim they're interested in "white power", yet last time I looked, the Jewish etc were white too, and the KKK are apparently (according to the "Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan") are against the Jewish too - why specifically, the Jewish?
2. The "Black Power" group (assuming I got the name right) claim they're against racism, are themselves, racist.

Did I miss something?

Whatever happened to tolerance of others, regardless of race, faith et al? (I can't be old fashioned - apparently I'm not old enough).

Black power apparently means unity between black people, and I can understand that, however, that then questions why they're apparently protesting against EVERYONE ELSE - why not just the idiotic racists?

As for the KKK - their getting a rock thrown at one of their vehicles - are they really surprised by this?

Hint - faith has bugger all to do with it, nor has race/color/sexuality/etc - you're either tolerant, or you're not (and first amendment doesn't mean you can be an arse, it just means you're a legally protected arse (hint: a tolerant person wouldn't care - an arse protests/fights based on color, sexuality, race etc)).

What's that you say, as a tolerant person I shouldn't question these idiocies? To that I say - do a bit of research ;o)
As I said, I'm confused, but as far as I am concerned, as long as you take and judge a person based on the person themselves, the rest is not important, never has been - never will be.

Sorry for the off-topic rant - I needed to rant and question (I had more to say (racism/prejudism should be shot to the floor immediately in my opinion (yep, that's the polite version)), but most would get nuked by legal in seconds).

A fraudster using NameCheap? Who'd a' thunk it!

Just been watching a documentary on Sophie Lancaster, and figured I'd do a quick lookup. We all know that spammers and frausters couldn't give a rats right testicle about where or what they spam, but this got my goat.

Offending site: netcash32.com (162.255.119.250, AS22612 162.255.119.0/24 Namecheap, Inc)



Spammed to;

hxxp://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-10-11/julie-hesmondhalgh-reveals-what-it-was-like-to-play-the-mother-of-a-murdered-girl-in-black-roses-the-killing-of-sophie-lancaster

Which leads to a bogus news site:



The offending redirectors:

hxxp://webemploments.com/jump.php?bo0522
-> hxxp://click.mvc19.com/home/jump?1=bo0522
--> hxxp://trackinguk2.com
---> hxxp://metricology.com/?a=440&c=1517&s1=UK
----> hxxps://cntrck.com/?a=440&c=1517&s1=UK&ckmguid=4427cedc-004b-4e08-9c59-33846e2be99e
-----> hxxp://jbrotrk.com/?a=24&c=23&s1=440&s2=9993117
------> hxxps://jbrotrk.com/?a=24&c=23&s1=440&s2=9993117&ckmguid=8353ce1d-7b2f-4114-ab41-60bf02d65c54

And the offending final site the above leads to;

-------> hxxp://myinternetsuccesscoach.com/responsive
--------> hxxp://myinternetsuccesscoach.com/responsive/
---------> hxxp://myinternetsuccesscoach.com/exit/exit-new.php


The offending (work from home) fraudsters are not surprisingly, myinternetsuccesscoach.com, and the template, nothing we've not seen before. Only difference is the actual content.





Not surprisingly, I recommend blackholing the entire bleedin lot of them.

As an aside, a quick FYI for the likes of the Radio Times - if you're going to allow comments (especially via the Facebook cesspit), at the very least MODERATE THEM! (other media sites have exactly the same issue).

References:

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation
http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/

BBC: Black Rose - The Killing of Sophie Lancaster
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00z62b1

BBC: Boys sentenced over Goth murder
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7370637.stm

hpHosts: Updated 11th October 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 331,801 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 11/10/2015
  2. Last Verified: 11/10/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Wednesday 7 October 2015

[ALERT] AOL users beware!!

No idea why anyone would still be using AOL, but for those that are, perhaps a good reason to finally move?

US telco giant Verizon has given notice it will be providing information on its subscribers to AOL for targeted advertising.

A notice in Verizon's privacy policy warns users that beginning next month, information such as device information, addresses and whereabouts, and browsing habits, will be given to AOL so it can sling relevant ads at netizens.


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/07/verizon_owns_aol_and_your_slurped_data/

Friday 21 August 2015

hpHosts: Updated 21st August 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 357,347 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 21/08/2015
  2. Last Verified: 21/08/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Monday 3 August 2015

hpHosts: Competition now closed

Seems no-one wanted to enter the latest competition, not sure why (noticed how messy the code was maybe?).

Decided I'm going to drop the competitions for now.

Radix - at least have it working!!

You'd have thought they'd have spotted this prior to publishing the Whois Access Policy and making it public, but apparently not ...



Hint Radix, if you're going to be operating a registry at least gets the basics right!

Thursday 30 July 2015

hpHosts Competition: Deadline tomorrow

Just a final note folks - the deadline for the latest competition is tomorrow. If you've got something and haven't submitted it yet, you've got a little over 24 hours to do so (competition closes midnight (GMT London) tomorrow):

http://forum.hosts-file.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&p=20493

Saturday 18 July 2015

hpHosts: Updated 18th July 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 349,201 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 18/07/2015
  2. Last Verified: 18/07/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Friday 26 June 2015

Reminder: hpHosts competition

Just a reminder folks, the closing date for the current competition is July 31st.

http://forum.hosts-file.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&p=20493

Saturday 13 June 2015

hpHosts: Updated June 13th 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 345,549 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 13/06/2015
  2. Last Verified: 13/06/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Monday 18 May 2015

hpHOSTS - Updated Monday 18th May 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 606,979 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 18/05/2015
  2. Last Verified: 18/05/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Saturday 16 May 2015

Tesco Direct: How much does a FREE one year of Office 365 cost?

You'd think by now, that companies such as Tesco would be a little more honest, but alas no. I figured I'd take a break from what I was working on and go on a browsing session.

Going to the Tesco Direct site, knowing there's usually bugger all worth looking at (I don't shop at Tesco as a rule), I figured I'd just look at the desktops and perhaps afterwards, the laptops. Looking at the desktops, I noted an HP ProDesk, and figured I'd take a look (only ever seen ZooStorm (BAH!) at supermarkets). However, I then thought I'd spotted a rather major error on their site, as I noted on the line below it, was another exact model, with the words "I'm new" and a slightly different thumbnail.


Loaded both in new tabs, and then noted a couple rather important differences;

1. The price (£60 difference)
2. Office (one had it, one didn't)

These however, were the ONLY differences. Which then begs the question of why there is a 60 quid difference? It couldn't just be because the more expensive one comes with Office, given it's advertised as one free year, surely?

Enquiring minds want to know Tesco ....



The pages in question, for those wondering, are (and yep, I've deliberately NOT linked them);

With Office
hxxp://www.tesco.com/direct/hp-prodesk-405-g1-microtower-pc-quad-core-a4-5000-15ghz-4gb-500gb-with-microsoft-office-365-1-year/427-8182.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=427-8182

Without Office:
hxxp://www.tesco.com/direct/hp-prodesk-405-g1-microtower-pc-quad-core-a4-5000-15ghz-4gb-500gb/253-7851.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=253-7851

Monday 20 April 2015

hpObserver: v0.6.18

Fixed a bug in the CSV export (missing quotation at the end of the header info).

Download: http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&act=DL&p=hpobserver

Saturday 11 April 2015

Request: Apparent F/P's

An email came in whilst I was sleeping, reporting static.issuu.com as an F/P, and indeed, it was.

However, along with this, was the following tidbit;

"The amount of false positives here is just sad, every time something is broken I know instantly where to look at. You should try to up the quality control a bit."

Unfortunately however, the person reporting it, didn't actually leave a usable return address I could respond to.

I've seen things like this however, for quite some time now and one thing always strikes me - those mentioning things such as the above, rarely if ever, actually expand on this or indeed, contact me, to advise what these "lots of false positives" actually are. As such, I've got a request - CONTACT ME AND TELL ME!

I don't bite, I'm not going to shout at or ignore you. hpHosts is a COMMUNITY HOSTS file, which means YOU have input too. I do my best to ensure F/P's don't slip through the net, and when they are (I make mistakes too), they are dealt with quickly.

I'm easy to reach, so if you believe a listing in hpHosts is indeed an F/P, CONTACT ME! - you can do so at;

http://mysteryfcm.co.uk/?mode=Contact
http://forum.hosts-file.net

Or directly; hphosts AT it-mate DOT co DOT uk

Sunday 5 April 2015

hpHOSTS - Updated Sunday 5th April 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 722,415 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 05/04/2015
  2. Last Verified: 04/04/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Tuesday 31 March 2015

Competition: April 2015

There's a new competition folks!. If you like such things, the details can be found at;

http://forum.hosts-file.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4456

Have fun!

Monday 2 March 2015

hpHosts: Updated 02-03-2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 693,309 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 02/03/2015
  2. Last Verified: 01/03/2015
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Saturday 14 February 2015

hpHosts: Updated 03-02-2015

Seems I forgot to post the notice about this. hpHosts primary files were updated Feb 3rd. In additon, there's new download options available (see the Downloads page)

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 842,335 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 03/02/2015 01:00
  2. Last Verified: 25/01/2015 18:00
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!

Release: hpObserver v0.6.15

Modified: Save as CSV now correctly formats file saved
Modified: Other minor modifications

Added: Change CSV delimiter (Tools > Settings > Export)
Added: Obtain country information
Added: Send to ISSViews WhoIs
Added: Send to VirusTotal
Added: Send to Quttera
Added: Send to Sucuri
Added: Search ASN using Peering DB

Removed: Send to BrowserDefender (no longer exists)

Homepage: http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=hpobserver

Monday 2 February 2015

INFO: Individual classification downloads

I'm currently preparing the latest full file updates, but in the meantime, I've also added the ability to download files for each individual classification (EMD, PSH and of course the ad/tracking servers lists have been available in this form for some time). These are constantly updated each time a new domain with the respective classification is added/removed. You can find these under "Individual Classifications" on the Downloads page.

http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Friday 16 January 2015

INFO: fSpamlist, Abelhadigital forums

Just a note folks, the database server that houses the databases for fSpamlist and the Abelhadigital forums had a slight case of death today. I've already got a new machine on order and have migrated the databases to a temporary server in the meantime.

Sunday 11 January 2015

Microsoft pulls the plug on the heads up notification

So today, instead of the normal first Thursday of the month heads up bulletin, the one that says how many security bulletins to expect and what type, they sent out an email saying that they are discontinuing it for everyone but their premier support customers.

So let’s review what actions Microsoft has done since they announced the closure of the Trustworthy computing group:


Read more:
http://blogs.msmvps.com/bradley/2015/01/08/microsoft-pulls-the-plug-on-the-heads-up-notification/

Release: Spambot Search Tool v0.58

AHBL lookup has been removed folks, as per;

http://www.ahbl.org/content/last-notice-wildcarding-services-jan-1st

Hat tip to Julie for the heads up!

Download
http://support.it-mate.co.uk/index.asp?mode=Products&p=spambotsearchtool
http://forum.hosts-file.net/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=4227

Wednesday 7 January 2015

INFO: hpHosts website

Just a note folks, the hpHosts site is now working properly (issue was caused by my specifying an incorrect path for one of the paths in the code that grabs the latest date).

Cheers goes to my friend Alex!

Monday 5 January 2015

hpHosts: Updated January 6th 2015

The hpHOSTS Hosts file has been updated. There is now a total of 1,014,846 listed hostsnames.

If you are NOT using the installer, please read the included Readme.txt file for installation instructions. Enjoy! :)
  1. Latest Updated: 06/01/2014 01:00
  2. Last Verified: 05/01/2014 18:00
Download hpHosts now!
http://hosts-file.net/?s=Download

Enjoy!