So all you would have to do is use your hosts file to preempt your computer's lookup of that domain name.

But the hosts file only does exact matches.

I use a local hosts file to block the malicious/sketchy and annoying ads (those ones that make noise particularly).

From what you've said in 227 - our last episode - wouldn't blocking 318x.com with a hosts file entry now be a very good idea?

But just the hosts file itself, it's just going to give you little red Xs.

I mean, essentially you edit your hosts file to - for example, I'm just looking at mine right now.

The first thing the computer does is look up in the hosts file to see if that domain has been defined.

You're able to - there are ways you can protect your hosts file from modification.

So the hosts file just prevents your machine from touching those.

So you'd have to edit the hosts file entry also.