HostsMan

Ok, for this post we will have to go over a little bit of background information. HostsMan is a program that helps you easily edit your hosts file. So, what is a hosts file? A hosts file is something that windows uses to quickly resolve url's to their respective ip addresses. For example, when you type www.google.com in your web-browser that is converted to an ip. The computer then uses that ip to navigate off to google's servers. Ok... so that's what a hosts file is. Now what the hells is HostsMan?

HostsMan allows you to edit this host file and block certain hosts if they aren't wanted. For example, you could add known porn web-sites to your block lists. Also, you can use HostsMan to sync with host files online. I didn't do any manual editing of my hosts file, but I did chose to sync with some that HostsMan. As a result a lot of ads, and pop-up windows pop us as "page cannot be displayed". So I don't have to view annoying ads before they are automatically blocked by HostsMan. HostsMan also includes a "server" component to their software that is supposed to improve web browsing performance. I am not sure how that part works, I don't use it myself.

If you want to take it for a spin, head here.