How to use /etc/hosts file effectively?

[birds-swim]

I've had trouble in the past getting my system to use my /etc/hosts file.

Is there some shake and dance going on between NetworkManager and systemd that I don't understand?

I like setting up my Windows and Linux machines to use both a hosts file and NextDNS as the main DNS resolver. I usually put only malicious domains in my hosts file to guarantee my computer will never even connect to those bad websites full of malware.

I don't know if it's a stupid plan, but it sounds cool to me. Hosts protects me from malware (as a layer of defense) and then NextDNS filters out any advertisements/tracking domains. Then uBlock Origin does the rest in my browser.