Using batch file to edit hosts file but over writing existing entries

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drbob500

30 posts

Geek

#119022 17-May-2013 12:50

I have a batch file I have done that adds blocked websites to the host file on a clients machines, all works as it should, just wondering if there is a way to force the batch file to not re add an entry if it already exists,

I want it to work so every time I add a new site to the batch file it will either skip or over write the existing entry so it doesn't keep adding the same thing every time its run

gzt

11670 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#821445 18-May-2013 08:03

There is. Maybe post your existing batch to get an idea of how you are doing things and how it can be improved.

drbob500

30 posts

Geek

#821461 18-May-2013 09:11

this is the text I am using its really basic but it does the trick,

@echo off

set hostspath=%windir%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

echo 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com >> %hostspath%
echo 127.0.0.1 www.trademe.co.nz >> %hostspath%

exit

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#821491 18-May-2013 10:36

I haven't worked with batch files much before but StackOverflow is a good place for answer to questions like these. From a simple search you might try conditionally searching the hosts file for the URL:

findstr /c:"127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com" "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts" >nul 2>&1
if errorlevel 1 echo 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com >> C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Code untested, so proceed with caution. This solution becomes a pain when you have a large list of sites to check but then I think Python might be a better solution in that situation.

Virgil

Dangerous Chocolate
181 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#821513 18-May-2013 11:03

Would it be easier to just update a master HOSTS file that you control, and overwrite the client version with your master every time there is an update?

Or is there possibly other things in the client's file which you are not aware of or have no control over?

Cheers

Ragnor

8035 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#822187 20-May-2013 02:53

Using the hosts file to break dns for domain names generally isn't a good idea.

If you must block ads why not just use an ad block plugin in the browser?

jaymz

1096 posts

Uber Geek

#822235 20-May-2013 09:25

Is this on a workgroup or a domain?

Do you have a central DNS server that you could use to apply the changes to instead?

What is the reason for blocking these sites? Is it a company environment, or a internet cafe type environment.

If you are using a domain, i suggest using a web proxy like SQUID that will allow you to block websites, and you can enforce the proxy using group policy.

drbob500

30 posts

Geek

#822382 20-May-2013 12:56

they have an old SBS server that's being decommissioned and have gone cloud based for everything, they just want to stop employee's wasting time being non productive, so thought doing it this way would be a quicker easy fix