When you see the notification it means Avira’s Real-Time Protection (specifically the Hosts File Protection module) has detected a write attempt to that file and stopped it.
: Once your changes are saved, remember to turn System protection back on to keep your device secure. Alternative: Adding Exceptions
Save and close.
After editing your Hosts file with Avira disabled, run a quick custom scan on the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder to ensure no second-stage malware dropped a payload. Stay safe.
The is a plain text file (without a file extension) that maps hostnames to IP addresses. It operates at a higher priority than DNS (Domain Name System). When you type a URL into your browser, Windows checks the Hosts file first. If an entry exists, Windows goes to that IP address directly, bypassing the DNS server. avira host file blocked
: For your security, it is highly recommended to re-enable this feature once you have finished making your changes to keep your system protected from future hijacking attempts. Still Seeing the Error?
If a virus infects your computer, it often attempts to modify the hosts file. By doing so, it can: When you see the notification it means Avira’s
If you see that, delete everything except the default two lines, save, and run a full malware scan.
: If you're receiving alerts but aren't sure which application is trying to modify the file, tools like the Process Monitor from Microsoft can help you track real-time access attempts to the False Positives After editing your Hosts file with Avira disabled,