Use host file to check website on windows mac and Linux

The process of using the host file to check a website is similar on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Here are the steps for each operating system:

Windows:

1. Open File Explorer and go to the following directory: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\.
2. Locate the file named “hosts” and open it with a text editor (e.g., Notepad) as an administrator.
3. Add an entry in the “hosts” file by specifying the IP address followed by the domain name. Each entry should be on a new line.
4. Save the changes to the “hosts” file.
5. Open a web browser and type the domain name you added to the “hosts” file in the address bar.

macOS:

1. Open the Terminal application.
2. Enter the following command to open the “hosts” file in a text editor: sudo nano /etc/hosts.
3. Provide your password when prompted.
4. Add an entry in the “hosts” file by specifying the IP address followed by the domain name. Each entry should be on a new line.
5. Press Control + X to exit the text editor, and when prompted to save changes, press Y and Enter.
6. Flush the DNS cache by entering the command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache.
7. Open a web browser and type the domain name you added to the “hosts” file in the address bar.

Linux:

1. Open a terminal.
2. Enter the following command to open the “hosts” file in a text editor with administrative privileges: sudo nano /etc/hosts.
3. Add an entry in the “hosts” file by specifying the IP address followed by the domain name. Each entry should be on a new line.
4. Press Control + X to exit the text editor, and when prompted to save changes, press Y and Enter.
5. Flush the DNS cache by entering the command: sudo service network-manager restart or sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart.
6. Open a web browser and type the domain name you added to the “hosts” file in the address bar.

Remember to remove or comment out the entry in the “hosts” file once you’re done testing to ensure proper DNS resolution for the domain.