This is handy
I have used the pre-set file from the link mentioned for years, first while deployed to speed up my personal laptop and then later to help guard against malware on Army machines. I have no proof but I don't remember getting any malware on the machines that had that hosts file on it and most users seemed to think the 'net was faster. As mentioned earlier, it is also great for using at the house to speed up connections between systems on your network.
I agree with the DNS server issue but is still another layer of defense against not only malware but crapware and all those annoying ads out there.
Good old school tip that most people don't remember anymore.
