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+#Amalgamated hosts file
+
+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:
+
+    # block doubleClick's servers
+    127.0.0.1 ad.ae.doubleclick.net
+    127.0.0.1 ad.ar.doubleclick.net
+    127.0.0.1 ad.at.doubleclick.net
+    127.0.0.1 ad.au.doubleclick.net
+    127.0.0.1 ad.be.doubleclick.net
+    # etc...
+
+## Source of host data amalgamated
+
+Currently the `hosts` files from the following locations are amalgamated and de-duped to create one large consolidated hosts file.
+
+* MVPs.org Hosts file at [http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm](http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm), updated monthly, or thereabouts.
+* Dan Pollock at [http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/](http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/) updated regularly.
+* My own small list in raw form [here](https://raw.github.com/StevenBlack/hosts/master/data/StevenBlack/hosts).
+
+**Currently this hosts file contains 22210 unique entries.**
+
+
+## Location of your hosts file
+To modify your current `hosts` file, look for it in the following places:
+
+**Mac OS X, iOS**: `/etc/hosts`
+
+**Windows**: `%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts`
+