Hi.
its just the msn default page on IE and betfair on firefox
Interesting, for me that is not for you obviously...
Checked both out as in:-
http://uk.msn.com/ - Appears to work fine with IE & using the MVPS Host File.
http://www.betfair.com/ - Did notice the below because I do not use Java:-
In order to use the site effectively, you are required to enable javascript in your browser
Though overall appears to be working fine for myself with with FF & using the MVPS Host File.
The only things I can think of may be causing the disruption is possibly avast! Internet Security after a recent update possibly(though no mention of that in the avast forum itself). So try temp disabling the WebShield/all if the need etc and then check the sites again or with-out the Sandbox if using that feature.
McAfee SiteAdvisor, though a slim one that.
Are you using NoScript(I advised about that in my online safey advice a good while back
here), though double checked that and did not notice any problems but entirely feasible you may have.
As above with regard to Script Defender...double checked that also and did not notice any problems but entirely feasible you may have.
May be something your ISP has recently implemented, though cannot think as to why as nothing particulary nefarious on either site.
I can still access the pages but full of error messages, do I contact betfair and ask them?
is it basically just adverts?
Contacting would probably only lead to them advising disabling/removing a lot of safety protocols and most likely adverts anyway.