On Mon, 19 Aug 2019 21:24:28 -0000 (UTC), Arlen George Holder wrote:

When we use public openvpn servers, we end up using their crappy HOSTS
files instead of ours, which have 100,000 lines in them to block things.

Is it possible to use a free VPN service but use our own HOSTS file?
How?

By default, local HOSTS file will always used (unless disabled manually).

However, a domain which isn't listed in the local HOSTS file, will be
resovled remotely via VPN. If the VPN server uses DNS filter (HOSTS file or
DNS filter software), a domain name needs to be added to the local HOSTS
file in order to bypass VPN server's DNS filter.

If a domain is already added to the local HOSTS file, and the site is still
blocked, it means that either the VPN server uses IP filter, or the target
site blocks connection from the VPN server. The only way to bypass this is
to use other network to connect to the target site. e.g. use a different VPN
server, use a remote proxy (via VPN or not), or don't use VPN at all.