A unified hosts file aggregator that blocks ads, malware, and other unwanted content by merging reputable sources.
StevenBlack/hosts is an open-source project that aggregates and unifies multiple reputable hosts files to block ads, malware, and other unwanted content. It solves the problem of fragmented and outdated blocklists by merging curated sources into a single, de-duplicated file that can be used across all operating systems. Users can optionally extend the base list with categories like porn, social media, and gambling.
System administrators, privacy-conscious users, and developers looking for a simple, system-wide method to block unwanted domains without installing additional software. It's also suitable for those managing network security on multiple devices.
Developers choose this project because it provides a consolidated, actively curated blocklist from trusted sources, offers extensive customization through extensions and whitelists, and supports easy updates via scripts or Docker. Its cross-platform compatibility and focus on performance make it a reliable alternative to DNS-based ad blockers.
🔒 Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories.
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Merges over a dozen reputable hosts files like AdAway and MVPS into a single de-duplicated list with 90,000+ entries, ensuring broad coverage against ads and malware.
Offers optional extensions for categories such as porn, social media, and gambling, allowing tailored blocking without bloating the base file, as shown in the 31 variant table.
Designed to work on all operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, with specific instructions for each in the README, making it versatile for diverse environments.
Provides Docker images, Python scripts, and batch files for easy updates, reducing manual effort—exemplified by the containerized update option with cron job recommendations.
Regularly updated with contributions from multiple sources and a clear process for submitting domains, ensuring the list stays current, as indicated by the April 2026 timestamp and issue tracking.
On Windows, large hosts files can cause performance issues, requiring users to disable the DNS cache service or use compression tools, adding complexity and potential breakage as warned in the README.
Only blocks domains at the system level, lacking the granularity of URL-based blocking or dynamic DNS filtering that solutions like browser extensions or Pi-hole offer for real-time updates.
The README explicitly warns that cloning the full repository takes a long time due to its history since 2018, recommending shallow clones, which can be inconvenient for deep integration or local development.
Issues with specific domains must be reported to the original sources, not this project, potentially slowing down fixes and fragmenting support, as noted in the IMPORTANT note about data source contacts.