Is the hosts file ignored in windows if DNS Client service is running?

Posted by Mnebuerquo on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Mnebuerquo
Published on 2010-03-29T22:16:55Z Indexed on 2010/03/29 22:23 UTC
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Filed under:

hosts

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windows-7

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windows-xp

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dns

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networking

I've seen a number of articles about how to edit the hosts file in Windows 7, but it's all about how to open notepad as administrator, not the actual behavior of the dns lookups afterward.

I've read that the hosts file is ignored in XP SP2 if DNS Client service is running. I have tried this on my XP machine and it seems to be true. I can see how it is a security danger to have a hosts file that user programs could modify. If it could write to hosts, then any malware could spoof dns locally with minimal difficulty.

I'm trying to use the hosts file for testing stuff on my local network without it going to the live site on the internet. At the same time I want to be able to use dns on the normal internet.

Mostly though I just want to understand the rules on the newer windows systems.

Thanks!

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