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Firefox keeps attempting to download .php files from websites which are blocked with a hosts redirect.

  • 2 replies
  • 313 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by garfolino

jcharlesholt
jcharlesholt
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I configured the /etc/hosts file on a number of machines for a client to redirect facebook and myspace to localhost. Ever since, Firefox attempts to download a php file if one exists on a webpage which is hosted on those sites. For example, attempting to visit npr.org/music causes likebox.php to attempt to be downloaded from facebook.com.

The strange thing is that this isn't happening on every machine, but I can't find anything that's related. Same versions of the OS (10.6.4), same versions of Firefox (3.6.8). I tried deleting profiles, cookies, caches, and the mimetypes.rdf file, all with no luck. The firewall is off.

Any thoughts?

I configured the /etc/hosts file on a number of machines for a client to redirect facebook and myspace to localhost. Ever since, Firefox attempts to download a php file if one exists on a webpage which is hosted on those sites. For example, attempting to visit npr.org/music causes likebox.php to attempt to be downloaded from facebook.com. The strange thing is that this isn't happening on every machine, but I can't find anything that's related. Same versions of the OS (10.6.4), same versions of Firefox (3.6.8). I tried deleting profiles, cookies, caches, and the mimetypes.rdf file, all with no luck. The firewall is off. Any thoughts?

All Replies (2)

isaac.flores
isaac.flores
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same problem

garfolino
garfolino
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I found a solution for my case.

First, the problem was happening in only one of my computers... I have a Macbook white running Lion latest version and also Firefox 8.0.1 (latest version when I post this)... And on my Macbook Pro, i have the same stuff...

I blocked www.facebook.com by redirecting it to 127.0.0.1 as usual, and as another sites like twitter and such...

I just decided to change 127.0.0.1 to Google's IP Address... So if i go to www.firefox.com it opens Google, but also if any webpage has those Facebook Like buttons, it doesn't load nor try to load it anyway! So case solved! (With a workaround, but still...)