Prevent a software from call Home

[vitorio]

If you want to prevent a software from calling home one option is to modify the host file in Windows.

 

Should you use in the host file, which one of the below Ip address

 

0.0.0.0.

 

or 

 

127.0.0.1

 

Why?

 

Thanks!!!

Edited February 18, 2023 by vitorio

[hullboy]

I use 127.0.0.1, but here https://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm is where I once found a reference to this 0.0.0.0 change

 

Quote

Important Note: The HOSTS file now contains a change in the prefix in the HOSTS entries to "0.0.0.0" instead of the usual "127.0.0.1".
This was done to resolve a slowdown issue that occurs with the change Microsoft made in the "TCP loopback interface" in Win8.1.

This change in the prefix should not affect everyday users. I've had some feedback that COMODO antivirus, and System Mechanic seems to have issues with the "0.0.0.0" prefix ... to resolve this issue:

You can use the "Replace" function in Notepad to convert the entries, or either of these freeware utilities (see below) has an option for converting the entries from "0.0.0.0" to "127.0.0.1.

 

Unfortunately the owner had serious health problems, so the site isn't updated anymore.

My two cents

Edited February 18, 2023 by hullboy

[vitorio]

In conclusion the correct is using 0.0.0.0 in the host file to prevent an IP address call home.