For extra protection against spyware/adware/malware, I use this HOSTS file from the following site, http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm. It prevents outbound connections to any sites listed in the HOSTS file.

However, when I connect to eBay and click on some links, it blocks the following connection, “The connection was refused when attempting to connect to altfarm.mediaplex.com” and prevents the HTML page from loading. According to Google, mediaplex is an advertising company and direct marketing company. Although it sounds like an innocent site just serving up ads for eBay, should I still block the site from being accessed for addtional security? Sounds like adware to me! or am i just being too paranoid!!

Thanks