The Hosts file manager for Mac
The hosts file associates hostnames with IP addresses and can be used to block spyware and malware on a Mac. By editing the hosts file, it is possible to block suspicious websites and IPs, set local test domains, resolve some iTunes errors, and even go back to a previous version of iOS. However, it is not that easy to edit the hosts file. Fortunately, Mac owners can use Gas Mask by Clockwise OU to create and edit multiple hosts file. The hosts file manager runs on OS X 10.6 or later and even supports macOS High Sierra.
The most salient feature of Gas Mask is syntax highlighting. The use of the feature allows to ensure that Terminal command syntax is proper. In addition to editing, Gas Mask helps to manage and automatically update remote hosts files. The utility has global hotkeys the use of which streamlines the work with hosts files. Now, a user can quickly switch between different hosts files by simply pressing several buttons. To further enhance the user experience, Gas Mask has introduced Growl support.
A substantial downside of the hosts file manager is the lack of a change log. This is extremely inconvenient for those users who might need to undo the changes to resume the proper functioning of their Mac. It is also reported that Gas Mask has the Sparkle updater vulnerability, which can be exploited by hackers to transmit the malicious code to Mac users.
Despite the existing vulnerability and the lack of a change log, the simplicity and speed of the hosts file manager will be highly appreciated by Mac users.
Version: 0.8.5
What’s New:
- A bug that had led to Gas Mas crashing when saving a file has been fixed
Price: Free
Developer: Clockwise OU