How to block a website

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-block-a-website/

Whether you’re looking to protect your kids from sketchy websites or protect yourself from distracting sites while working, sometimes we all need to block a website for our best interests. Balancing privacy, freedom, and controls can be tricky to navigate.

While many laptops come with some parental controls already installed, some are more user-friendly than others. We’ll walk you through exactly how to use the settings and how to use host files and routers to do this.

Method No. 1: Using parental controls

Both Windows and MacOS have built-in parental controls that you can use, making it easy to block what you don’t want to be accessible on your system. If you find that you want more features, we’ve outlined the best free parental control software here.

Parental Controls in Windows 10

Step 1: You must first set up a child account. To do so, go to the Windows 10 settings menu by searching for it or clicking the cog icon in the Start menu.

Step 2: Click Accounts.

Step 3: Click on the Family & Other People tab and click the Add A Family Member button.

Step 4: Click Add A Child and enter the required information to set up your child’s profile.

Step 5: Go to your Microsoft account page. Select the Web browsing tab and check the box labeled Only See Websites On The Allowed List.

Step 6: Here, you will see sections for Always Allow These and Always Block These. Enter URLs for any sites you want to block in the appropriate section, and click the Block button to the right.

Using parental controls in MacOS

Windows isn’t the only operating system that allows you to monitor your child’s activities online. You can use the Parental Controls feature in MacOS to block websites, which is particularly helpful if you want to keep your kids off certain websites without restricting other users’ access.

Step 1: Open System Preferences and click the button labeled Parental Controls.

Step 2: Your Mac will ask if you want to create a new profile with parental controls or add them to your current profile. Assuming you want to block websites for when your kids use the computer — while keeping them open for you — select Create A New User Account With Parental Controls.

Step 3: If your current profile is password-protected, you will need to enter your password. Once you’ve created the profile, select it in Parental Controls and click the Web tab.

Step 4: If you’re feeling particularly draconian, you can also allow access to only specific websites. If not, click the Customize button.

In the resulting pop-up window, a section to add websites that are always allowed and never allowed will appear.

Step 5: To add a website that you want to block, click the addition sign under the Never allow heading and enter the address of the site you want to block. Now, enter as many websites as you want to block, one per line.

Step 6: When you’re finished, click OK in the bottom-right corner.

Method No. 2: Altering host files

Block using Windows hosts file

Blocking specific websites in Windows is child’s play — and usually child-proof. It’s completely free, doesn’t require any additional software, and takes a few quick alterations to the Windows hosts file on your computer. The hosts file, a plain text file your operating system utilizes for mapping IP addresses and hostnames, can be used to redirect a domain name back to the local computer, essentially blocking the desired website. It’s a great way to restrict users from seeing content you don’t want them to see, regardless of the browser and the time of day.

However, keep in mind that you must have administrator privileges to change the file, and it can be a little technical. You can always undo the change if need be, but the process is a little more hands-on than the Windows/MacOS parental controls.

Step 1: Using Windows Explorer, navigate through to the hosts file by going through C: > Windows > System32 > Drivers >, Etc.

Step 2: Double-click Hosts and select Notepad when prompted to choose a program to open the file with. Alternatively, you can launch Notepad and navigate to the host file by choosing File > Open and locating the file through that window.

Step 3: In Notepad, you will see several lines of text used for mapping purposes. Underneath the last line of text — it should say something regarding a local host — enter 127.0.0.1 and press the spacebar. Next, type the IP address of the website you want to block on the same line. For example, type 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com to block all traffic from the popular video-sharing site.

Step 4: Continue to add websites you wish to block in this manner, each beginning with 127.0.0.1. followed by a space and the appropriate website. Make sure only to use www and avoid adding http unless you want to render the entry invalid. Do not alter any other text in the hosts file.

Step 5: Once you’ve added the sites you want to block, click the File option in the upper-left corner, choose Save — do not change the name or save location — and ignore any warnings regarding editing the hosts file. Then, close Notepad when finished.

Step 6: Open your favorite browser and test the results! You should automatically get a blank page whenever you attempt to access any of the sites on your blocked list. You may have to restart your browser and wait several minutes for the changes to take effect.

Using MacOS hosts file

Blocking websites using MacOS works similarly to blocking them using Windows. The process is free, relatively quick, and requires altering your Mac’s hosts file to redirect a specified domain name. It’s a simple process that will prevent users from seeing content you deem block-worthy across browsers, but one that can be reversed if you want to grant access to the sites in the future.

Step 1: Launch Terminal by accessing the main applications folder, clicking Utilities, and selecting the program from the resulting list. You can also do so by searching for the program in Spotlight.

Step 2: Now it’s time to make a copy of the hosts file just in case something goes awry. Type sudo /bin/cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts-original on the Terminal command line to make a backup of the file in question. Hit Enter and type in your administrative password when prompted. It may appear as though the keystrokes aren’t being registered properly — i.e., your cursor won’t move — but rest assured that they are.

Step 3: Type sudo nano /etc/hosts and hit Enter on the Terminal command line to open up your hosts file in a nano box. Then, enter your administrative password when prompted.

Step 4: Once the hosts file is opened, you will see several lines of text used for mapping purposes. Underneath the last line of text — it should say something regarding a local host — enter 127.0.0.1 and press the spacebar. Next, type the IP address of the website you want to block on the same line. For example, type 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com to block all traffic from the popular video-sharing site.

Step 5: Continue to add websites you wish to block in this manner, each beginning with 127.0.0.1. followed by a space and the appropriate website. Ensure that you only use www and avoid adding http, unless you want to render the entry invalid, and do not alter any other text in the hosts file.

Step 6: When finished, hold down the Control key and press O to save the changes. Then, hold down the Control key and press X to exit the hosts file.

Step 7: Next, type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache and press Enter again to flush your existing cache and put the changes into effect. Alternatively, you can restart your computer.

Once you’re back up and running, open your favorite browser and test the results! You should automatically get a blank page whenever you attempt to access any of the sites on your blocked list.

Method No. 3: Using your router settings

Blocking all users, at all times, on all browsers can take some time using the above methods. Fortunately, your router doesn’t require any external software and is another fantastic tool that will grant you network-wide control over the blocking process. Although we cannot guarantee your router can block specified websites, most routers are equipped with some parental controls for restricting website access completely, during certain days of the week, or even during defined hours.

Step 1: Open the web interface on your router. As a general rule, you can gain access to your router if you input 192.168.1.1 in your browser’s address bar. Next, you’ll need to enter a username and a password, but the defaults can vary based on the router.

If you’re not sure how to access your router, check the device itself for the username and password. You can also check the instruction manual for that information, along with the default IP address. If the information is unavailable, try looking up the router’s defaults at routerpasswords.com or cirt.net.

Step 2: Find your router’s security window that has options for blocking content. You’ll have to do some snooping around to figure out the appropriate settings, but many manufacturers label security menu items as Access Restrictions or Content Filtering.

Step 3: After you find the right window, you’ll be able to type in or copy and paste all of the website addresses you want to block. You might be presented with extra options to restrict the website further through other means. Make sure to click save and apply before closing out the tab.

Blocking a website isn’t difficult, whether you’re trying to prohibit inappropriate content or just trying to keep yourself focused on the task at hand. You can unite a triad of your router, host file alterations, and parental controls to effectively block hazardous websites or inappropriate content.