This Python script will generate a unique hosts file based on the sources provided. You can either have the script go out and fetch an updated version over the web (defined by the update.info text file in the source's directory), or it will use the `hosts` file you already have checked into your source's data folder.
A hosts file, named `hosts` (with no file extension), is a plain-text file used by all operating systems to map hostnames to IP addresses.
In most operating systems, the `hosts` file is preferential to `DNS`. Therefore if a host name is resolved by the `hosts` file, the request never leaves your computer.
Having a smart `hosts` file goes a long way towards blocking malware, adware, and other irritants.
For example, to nullify requests to some doubleclick.net servers, adding these lines to your hosts file will do it:
Your operating system will cache DNS lookups. You can either reboot or run the following commands to manually flush your DNS cache once the new hosts file is in place.