Unable to immunise hosts file

[theChameleon]

OS: XP Home SP3

Spybot does not immunise all the entries for the hosts file. when i try to delete the file, windows tell me that it is in use. i may not add/delete entries manually also.

how do i make spybot immunise all entries for the hosts file?

[md usa spybot fan]

theChameleon:

Are you running any security software such as STOPzilla, ZoneAlarm, etc. that may be locking the HOSTS file?

[theChameleon]

theChameleon:

Are you running any security software such as STOPzilla, ZoneAlarm, etc. that may be locking the HOSTS file?

im using Avast antivirus and ZoneAlarm firewall.

stopping these processes does not enable me to immunise, or delete the hosts file.

[md usa spybot fan]

theChameleon:

I no longer run ZoneAlarm, but this is way to unlock the HOSTS file from about two years ago.

Double click on the ZoneAlarm system tray icon to bring up the ZoneAlarm Control Center > Firewall (left pane) > Main (tab in the right pane) > Advanced (button at the bottom) > uncheck Lock hosts file > click OK. Then immunize the HOSTS file.

Note: You can relock the HOSTS file when you're done immunizing.

[theChameleon]

theChameleon:

I no longer run ZoneAlarm, but this is way to unlock the HOSTS file from about two years ago.

Double click on the ZoneAlarm system tray icon to bring up the ZoneAlarm Control Center > Firewall (left pane) > Main (tab in the right pane) > Advanced (button at the bottom) > uncheck Lock hosts file > click OK. Then immunize the HOSTS file.

Note: You can relock the HOSTS file when you're done immunizing.

ah! silly me. now that u mentioned it, yeah, i remember that i locked the hosts file a long time ago to prevent malicious programs from writing stuff there. omg.

thanks again!

[md usa spybot fan]

theChameleon:

I assume that you are all set now and that you were able to "... immunise all the entries for the hosts file ..." after unlocking the host file in ZoneAlarm.

Let us know if you have any more problems.