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Edition No. 1

The Git Gazette

Your weekly repo roundup

·StevenBlack/hosts·Last 7 days

🔒 Consolidating and extending hosts files from several well-curated sources. Optionally pick extensions for porn, social media, and other categories.

5 commits0 PRs3 issues5 releases
Security Status
🟢

No known vulnerabilities.

Last checked: Mar 24, 2026

Patch Wiresec — clear status
summarize

Here's What Matters: 2 Releases, 1 New Ad Domain, Same Steady Ship

Here's what matters this week: 2 releases, 1 domain addition, and zero surprises from the most reliable ad-blocking project on GitHub.

Key takeaways: 1. Release 3.16.70 dropped March 22nd with routine updates from URLHaus, someonewhocares.org, and KADhosts — plus one new addition 2. New domain blocked: optoutadvertising.com (issue #3092) — another advertising network trying to sound privacy-friendly 3. Release cadence remains rock-solid: 5 releases in 2 weeks, all patch-level updates 4. One mystery submission: Issue #3091 presented domains in unbound format without context — maintainer @StevenBlack asked for clarification 5. Quick reminder served: User tried removing eventbrite from fakenews list (#3090) — turns out it's in the base list, not category-specific

Bottom line: StevenBlack continues running the tightest ship in open source security. 30k+ stars, consistent releases, and @StevenBlack personally handling 97% of contributions. If you're using these host files (and millions are), you got fresh malware protection this week with zero breaking changes.

Worth watching: The project's extreme maintainer concentration — impressive dedication, but raises usual bus factor questions for something protecting this many users.

Sources: #3092, #3091, #3090
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The Drama DeskBy Rita Conflictsón

DEVELOPING: Steven Black Plays Digital Judge to Three-Ring Ad-Blocking Circus

BREAKING: The proceedings at StevenBlack/hosts this week read like a courtroom drama, with maintainer @StevenBlack serving as both judge and jury in the ongoing battle against digital menaces.

In issue #3092, witness @MGPoirot stepped forward with evidence against optoutadvertising.com, presenting their case with the precision of a seasoned prosecutor. "Self-described effective, privacy-friendly monetization," they declared, but we all know what that really means. Judge Black rendered swift justice, accepting the testimony and closing the case faster than you can say "commit e85057489."

But then came the mystery of issue #3091. Defendant @krolingo arrived with a cryptic confession about manually adding domains, speaking in the ancient tongue of local-zone redirects. The plot thickened when Judge Black delivered the most devastating cross-examination of the week: "Do you mind if I ask you, what are you talking about?" Chef's kiss — the courtroom equivalent of "sir, this is a Wendy's."

Meanwhile, in a swift sidebar hearing, @globalshrug attempted to free clicks.eventbrite.com from the fakenews-gambling wing, only to be gently reminded to read the fine print. Case dismissed with prejudice!

Folks, when your repository blocks 30,000+ malicious domains, every issue is a small victory in the war against digital chaos.

Sources: #3092, #3091, #3090
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A Profound Silence: When the Gallery Stands Empty

One finds oneself in the peculiar position of critiquing an absence — a void where one might typically encounter the usual parade of merged masterpieces. The StevenBlack/hosts repository, that distinguished bastion of digital hygiene boasting some 30,000 admirers, presents this week a most contemplative tableau: complete stillness.

For those unfamiliar with this particular institution, it serves as a carefully curated salon of host file artistry — consolidating the finest works from multiple well-regarded sources into unified pieces that shield one's digital experience from the crude intrusions of advertisements, malware, and other unsavory elements. Think of it as a digital bouncer with impeccable taste and a Python script.

The absence of pull request activity in such a repository is, paradoxically, rather telling. Unlike repositories that thrive on constant churn — those frenetic galleries where every minor CSS adjustment demands immediate exhibition — hosts files require a different aesthetic sensibility. They are, by their very nature, exercises in stability and deliberate curation.

Perhaps the maintainers are simply savoring the current composition, allowing it to breathe before the next inevitable wave of refinements arrives. In the world of digital pest control, silence can indeed be golden.

Verdict: A meditative intermission. The calm before the next curatorial storm.

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The Shipping ForecastBy Captain Semver

Steady Seas Continue: Host Fleet Maintains Regular Patrol Schedule

SHIPPING FORECAST, issued Monday 0800 UTC: The StevenBlack hosts armada continues its clockwork patrol schedule through malware-infested waters. Latest vessel v3.16.70 made port on March 22nd with routine cargo from URLHaus, someonewhocares.org, and KADhosts stations.

Winds remain light and variable — these are patch-level updates only, maintaining the steady 3.16.x course without navigational hazards. The fleet has been remarkably disciplined, with five vessels deployed in the past fortnight alone, each carrying fresh intelligence on hostile domains.

Of particular note: Issue #3092 brought aboard two optoutadvertising.com domains — minor course corrections that required no chart updates. The harbor master @StevenBlack continues to log every movement with maritime precision.

Sea state remains calm across all shipping lanes. No breaking changes reported, no emergency repairs required. The previous vessel v3.16.69 delivered updates from BigDargon's reconnaissance along with the usual patrol reports. Standard operating procedures maintained throughout.

Forecast: Expect continued regular deployments as upstream intelligence sources provide fresh bearings on emerging threats. GitHub Actions maintenance was completed in earlier runs — ship systems running smooth. All hands maintaining vigilant watch for new hostile domains requiring immediate quarantine.

Next scheduled patrol: Weather permitting, anticipate v3.16.71 within the week. Conditions favorable for continued operations.

Sources: #3092
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Community PulseBy Flo Stargazer

StevenBlack's Hosts Fortress: One-Person Powerhouse Keeps the Internet Clean

What a fascinating study in dedication! The StevenBlack/hosts repository is a testament to what happens when one person becomes the backbone of a critical open source project. With 30,072 stars and serving millions who want cleaner internet browsing, this ad-blocking powerhouse has an interesting contributor story to tell.

@StevenBlack himself has logged an impressive 3,582 contributions — that's 97% of all commits! This week alone, he pushed two releases (3.16.69 and 3.16.70) with fresh updates from multiple curated sources. While some might worry about single-person dependency, Steven's consistent activity shows no signs of slowing down.

The community health picture is mixed but telling: we saw 40 unique actors this week with 33 new watchers joining the fold. That's healthy growth! However, the contribution distribution tells a different story — after Steven, @funilrys trails far behind with 104 contributions, followed by @FadeMind at 101.

What's encouraging? Fresh faces are still discovering this project daily, with 2 new forks this week. The 6 new issues show active community engagement, even if most heavy lifting remains with Steven.

For a security-focused project protecting millions of hosts files, this concentrated expertise might actually be a feature, not a bug. Steven's deep knowledge ensures quality control that distributed contributions might complicate.

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