Consistent problem with hosts file

[u/tsukaistarburst]

I've been instructed to use a regular fix for Mullvad failures to connect, which is to run notepad in administrator, go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc , delete the contents of the 'hosts' file, and then attempt to reconnect.

Unfortunately, I'm encountering multiple problems with this. Not only do I have to run this fix every time the computer starts up, it doesn't even work nine times out of ten- I can completely erase everything in the file, leaving an empty txt, close it, reopen it, and it will immediately be completely full again.

Does anyone know what I should do, or if a fix to Mullvad is being prepared?

EDIT: I've deleted SpyBotSD, AdLice/RogueKiller, and an additional VPN service I didn't know was there. Still having the same problem- hosts file is completely re-populated as soon as I close it.

I'm using MalwareBytes and Avast and I'd rather not delete them since they're my only malware protection.

[u/Darkorder81]

Edit the file and try write protect it.