A prime example of this involves a case CFI has worked on with a nationwide services company. They suspected a key executive was resigning to work for a competitor and taking confidential files to assist them. Using a pretext they obtained his company laptop in advance of his departure. CFI's analysis revealed hidden email communications with his future employer and creation of a confidential Zip archive of files. The company thwarted transfer of data and received a stipulated judgment against future employer and employee.

Mark McLaughlin has amassed nearly 25 years experience in computer forensic analysis, corporate security investigations, information systems management and law enforcement. He's a frequent lecturer and California State Bar qualified instructor for attorneys on computer forensics.

For interviews with Mark McLaughlin or for more information, contact Stacey Kumagai at 818/506-8675 or go to Computer Forensics International website at: www.cf-intl.com

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For example, suppose you want to block a porn site that your teenager has been visiting, you might add an entry like one shown below.

127.0.0.2 www.pornsite.com

Banner ads are usually hosted on an advertiser's domain and linked to sites all over Web. Suppose you want to block annoying banner ads displayed at a site that you visit frequently. You might add an entry like one shown below.

127.0.0.3 www.adserver.com

Then when a file from that domain name is requested, instead of porn site or banner being displayed, browser will display message "The Page Cannot be Displayed".

When you save HOSTS file after editing, make sure that file name does not have an extension. Sometimes Windows Notepad adds extention .txt.

The HOSTS file is a quick, easy way to block access to a Web site. But if you use this method to block a porn site that your teenager has been visiting, make sure they don't find this article. ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to mailto:bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------