Role of the Hosts File:
The hosts file is a local file on a computer that maps hostnames to IP addresses. It can be used to override DNS resolution by providing a static mapping of a hostname to an IP address.
Common Issues with the Hosts File:
If an incorrect IP address is mapped to a hostname in the hosts file, it can cause the computer to resolve the hostname to the wrong IP address. This can lead to navigation issues for specific websites while other users, relying on DNS, do not face the same problem.
Why Other Options are Less Likely:
Self-signed certificate: Relates to SSL/TLS and would cause a security warning, not a navigation failure.
Nameserver record: Affects all users, not just one.
IP helper: Used to forward DHCP requests and is unrelated to DNS resolution issues.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Check the hosts file on the affected user's computer (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts on Windows or /etc/hosts on Unix/Linux).
Look for entries that map the problematic hostname to an incorrect IP address and correct or remove them.
[References:, CompTIA Network+ study materials and system administration documentation., , , , , , , ]
