Windows 10: Fios slows down and I find I have a great number of host files.

I have a gigabit Fios connection which has been a pleasure. However, it has recently slowed down a bit and there is a definite short hesitation as sites are loaded. Usually use Chrome. Windows 10 with a wired connection to the fios router. I turned off the router and unplugged connections hoping that might clear its cache (if it has one). I ran ip config\ flushdns and got a message it was successful. But I didn't gain much. I'm presently using dns addresses found by the Gibson program as best for my connection. They are set on the router and the computer.

Googling, I found references to cleaning the hosts file and am confused by what I found. I seem to have several files named hosts.txt in c:\users\name\appdata/local\Google\Chrome\User Data.... All these text files are named # MalwareDomainList.com Hosts List with different dates a few months apart. Is Chrome placing and updating these? Do I need them? My concern is that they are all "consulted" before a site is loaded and perhaps that's the hesitation I'm experiencing?

I also have a hosts (no ext) file in windows\system32\drovers\etc which, when opened in Notepad, is the standard Microsoft boilerplate of a hosts file: Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.## This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows..

Also, three pluginhostshim.js which I think are Chrome related?

So I have a slightly hesitant internet which may be checking all or many of the above files. At the same time, I don't seem to have a hosts file - I don't care if it's ok not to.

Would appreciate an assessment of the above file situation and any recommendations as to whether they need to be cleaned up.

Thanks.

:)

 

Hosts file editing

I have to jump in and say I use, and have used the host file for years. It's an easy way to take stress off of old name servers. I don't add everything, but major shares I do add to the host file. I've used the host file for some tunneling as well. I try to optimize my network as much as possible and I have a solid network. But Easy Rhino is right as well, you'll want to have everything he suggested as well. *Toast :toast:

 

just got fios, and got problems

Verizon FIOS customer service/support is top notch (My experience and Consumer Reports reader survey confirms). I would suggest giving them a call. My brother has FIOS in Florida and it works great, well except the garbage ActionTec router that they provide (There is firmware bug that allows internet connectivity OR WPA but NOT both!).

 

Browser /connection security, hosts file and DNS service

You're saying that Open DNS(and other services like it) house their own list of known 'bad' sites, and by using their DNS servers, it will filter out sites based on that list?

Would you believe I was already using Open DNS servers.
This means the hosts file is moot?

And furthering that, if there's any bespoke sites I want to manually add, I could do it through my router directly.

Thus I can empty my local hosts file and turn my DNS service back on?