computergeek92 wrote:

How do I use host files?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)

I see no point in personally messing with such things directly. A browser extension like uBlock Origin will accomplish much the same effect.

beastlike wrote:

I really like using a hosts file, because it fundamentally blocks all connections to the known creepy trackers.

Well, it's a blanket solution that kinda works. It doesn't "fundamentally block" anything though. All that needs to happen is for a single character in the host name to change, and bam, it won't match any record in your hosts file any more.

Not to mention it won't do anything about trackers that go directly to an IP address.