HOSTS File

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EXCONN block list for:

• stop tracking and analytics in video games and software saled on Steam
  
• block domains which are unnecessary for gaming

Adding the entries from the post below to the hosts file, will redirect the domains to 0.0.0.0 and no connection can be established then. More info about the hosts file.[en.wikipedia.org]

Block list is also hosted here[codeberg.org] for automated hosts generation applications.

The hosts file is located on Linux and Mac OS X under:  

/etc/hosts

under Windows:

 %systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

Example:

Because the reviews based on a Windows 7 test machine here is the example for Windows:

1. Open notepad.exe as administrator.
   Right click on notepad.exe -> "Run as administrator"
   
   
2. Open the hosts file in notepad.exe
   CTRL+O and then paste the path to the hosts file:
   

   %systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

3. Copy the EXCONN block list and paste it to the bottom of the opened file.
   
   
4. Save the opened file with CTRL+S

Test:

1. Open cmd.exe
   
2. Execute following command:
   

   ping stats.unity3d.com

3. The host should not be found.

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# EXCONN GAMING PRIVACY LIST
# https://steamcommunity.com/groups/exposedconn
#
# - Last modified: 2025.04.29 -
#
# [License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0]
# This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 
# Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
# https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
#
# [WARNING]
# Optional domains at the end of the list are blocked by default too!
# Detailed overview of optional connections for some games can be found here:
# https://steamcommunity.com/groups/exposedconn/discussions/0/


# [Steam client domains]
0.0.0.0 test.steampowered.com
0.0.0.0 crash.steampowered.com

# [Steam payments]
# [Via paysafecard]
0.0.0.0 tm.paysafecard.com
0.0.0.0 eu-aa.online-metrix.net
0.0.0.0 stags.bluekai.com
0.0.0.0 tags.bluekai.com
0.0.0.0 js-agent.newrelic.com
0.0.0.0 bam.nr-data.net

# [Unity Engine]
0.0.0.0 stats.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 cdp.cloud.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 public.cloud.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 api.uca.cloud.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 config.uca.cloud.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 perf-events.cloud.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 pls.prd.mz.internal.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 userreporting.cloud.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 operate-sdk-telemetry.unity3d.com
0.0.0.0 data-optout-service.uca.cloud.unity3d.com

# [Unreal Engine]
0.0.0.0 et.epicgames.com
0.0.0.0 et2.epicgames.com
0.0.0.0 udn.epicgames.com
0.0.0.0 etsource.epicgames.com
0.0.0.0 metrics.ol.epicgames.com
0.0.0.0 datarouter.ol.epicgames.com

# [Google]
0.0.0.0 script.google.com
0.0.0.0 cm.g.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 static.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 adservice.google.com
0.0.0.0 stats.g.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 ssl.google-analytics.com
0.0.0.0 www.google-analytics.com
0.0.0.0 8744582.fls.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 googleads.g.doubleclick.net
0.0.0.0 www.googleadservices.com
0.0.0.0 www.googletagmanager.com

# [Microsoft PlayFab - Analytics]
0.0.0.0 558c.playfabapi.com
0.0.0.0 6231C.playfabapi.com
0.0.0.0 c8884.playfabapi.com

# [SEGA Analytics]
0.0.0.0 garry.sgaas.net

# [Adobe]
0.0.0.0 assets.adobedtm.com
0.0.0.0 airdownload2.adobe.com

# [Ubisoft domains - Uplay not included]
0.0.0.0 gconnect.ubi.com
0.0.0.0 onlineconfigservice.ubi.com

# [Analytics tools and advertisement]
0.0.0.0 sentry.io
0.0.0.0 api.redshell.io
0.0.0.0 cloud.count.ly
0.0.0.0 events.backtrace.io
0.0.0.0 submit.backtrace.io
0.0.0.0 in.treasuredata.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.appdynamics.com
0.0.0.0 api.gameanalytics.com
0.0.0.0 balancer.devtodev.com
0.0.0.0 panel.loyaltygame.com
0.0.0.0 cgpromotion.azurewebsites.net
0.0.0.0 api.ingest.marketing.gamesight.io
0.0.0.0 us-central1-boost-analysis.cloudfunctions.net

# [Unnecessary connections in games]
0.0.0.0 eqlauncher.com
0.0.0.0 gameserver.capeguy.co.uk
0.0.0.0 gameguide3.aspyr.com
0.0.0.0 brink.hydra.agoragames.com
0.0.0.0 www.santaragione.com
0.0.0.0 web.amanita-design.net
0.0.0.0 www.uselumos.com
0.0.0.0 patch.fatsharkgames.com
0.0.0.0 patch.fatshark.se
0.0.0.0 ftp.fatshark.se
0.0.0.0 backup01.i.fatshark.se
0.0.0.0 cdn.fatsharkgames.se
0.0.0.0 cognito-identity.us-west-2.amazonaws.com
0.0.0.0 stats.drycactus.com
0.0.0.0 samogon-stats.joybits.org
0.0.0.0 hff.terahard.org
0.0.0.0 abfdpe30ti.execute-api.us-west-2.amazonaws.com
0.0.0.0 p.line.dev.2kgames.com
0.0.0.0 castlesteam.castlecrashers.com
0.0.0.0 dfw-gobbler.doom.amok.systems
0.0.0.0 discovery.analytics.zion.idtech.services
0.0.0.0 zat-content.rebellion.co.uk
0.0.0.0 tracking2.avalanchestudios.com
0.0.0.0 crashreporter.avalanchestudios.com
0.0.0.0 launcher-content.rebellion.co.uk
0.0.0.0 athena-v1.rebellion.co.uk
0.0.0.0 nephelus-v1.rebellion.co.uk
0.0.0.0 telemetry.deeparc.net
0.0.0.0 collect14853cntrl.deltadna.net
0.0.0.0 www.tortugateam.com
0.0.0.0 ld.tmweb.ru
0.0.0.0 secretexit.com
0.0.0.0 gtfo-python-func-gfdg36.azurewebsites.net
0.0.0.0 1k4ky47q80.execute-api.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com

# [Unnecessary connections in software]
0.0.0.0 controllercompanion.com

# [NVIDIA]
0.0.0.0 telemetry.nvidia.com
0.0.0.0 events.gfe.nvidia.com
0.0.0.0 services.gfe.nvidia.com
0.0.0.0 activation.gfe.nvidia.com
0.0.0.0 ngx.download.nvidia.com

# [TeamSpeak 3]
0.0.0.0 la.teamspeak.com
0.0.0.0 install.overwolf.com
0.0.0.0 news.teamspeak.com
0.0.0.0 statistics.teamspeak.com
0.0.0.0 blacklist2.teamspeak.com
0.0.0.0 ts3services.teamspeak.com
0.0.0.0 badges-content.teamspeak.com


# [Optional connections]
# Delete an entry if you are using some side features!
#
# [Bad North - Unblock when your Windows should check for network connectivity]
0.0.0.0 www.msftncsi.com
# [The First Tree - Messages from other players]
0.0.0.0 thefirsttree.davidwehle.net
# [Killing Floor 2 - Time sync for the daily jobs]
0.0.0.0 time.google.com
# [Late Shift - Mixer streaming integration. Unblock when you visit the website normally]
0.0.0.0 mixer.com
# [Life is Strange - Square Enix account]
0.0.0.0 lis.os.eidos.com
# [The Long Dark - Newsletter]
0.0.0.0 thelongdark.com
# [LYNE - Daily challenges]
0.0.0.0 vecflo.thomasbowker.com
# [The Plan - Your message in the end]
0.0.0.0 krillbite.com
# [Poly Bridge - Gallery and 3rd party integration]
0.0.0.0 api.gallery.drycactus.com
0.0.0.0 oauth.drycactus.com
0.0.0.0 twitch.drycactus.com
# [Poker Night 2 - Borderlands skins]
0.0.0.0 api.telltalegames.com
# [SIMULACRA - End statistic]
0.0.0.0 simulacragame.appspot.com
# [Steam - IPv6 mass analysis]
0.0.0.0 ipv6check-udp.steamcontent.com
0.0.0.0 ipv6check-http.steamcontent.com
# [SUPERHOT - Replays upload]
0.0.0.0 killstagram.azurewebsites.net
# [TeamSpeak 3 - Updates, account, add-ons, public server]
0.0.0.0 versions.teamspeak.com # Client updates
0.0.0.0 clientapi.myteamspeak.com # myTeamSpeak account
0.0.0.0 www.myteamspeak.com # Add-Ons
0.0.0.0 weblist.teamspeak.com # Server list
# [theHunter: Call of the Wild - Hunter-Club BETA]
0.0.0.0 thp-social.avalanchestudios.com

[n†x]

Updated this post here.
Better example and replaced localhost vs 0.0.0.0

[n†x]

Added NVIDIA telemetry domains to the block list.

[n†x]

Added TeamSpeak 3 domains.
Client works perfect like it should.
For updates, myTeamSpeak account, add-ons or the public server list, please disable the optional domains.

[n†x]

Updated structure and added license: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0