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How to Block Any Website On Your Computer, Phone Or Network

How to block any website on your computer

In today’s digital age, the need to control our online environment has become paramount. One effective way to do this is by blocking certain websites. Whether it’s to boost productivity, enhance focus, or ensure a child-friendly browsing experience, website blocking is a valuable tool. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to block any website on your computer, phone, or network.

How to block any website on your computer

how to block any website on Windows computers

If you want to restrict access to certain websites on your Windows computer, you can use the HOSTS file to achieve this. The HOSTS file is a local repository that stores information about domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. Follow these steps to block websites effectively:

Ensure that you have administrator access on your computer. Sign in to your PC using an administrator account.

Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ in the File Explorer.

Double-click on the file named “hosts” and choose Notepad from the list of programs to open the file. Click OK.

If you encounter difficulties editing the file:

  • Right-click the “hosts” file and select Properties.
  • Go to the Security tab, choose the administrator account, and click Edit.
  • In the pop-up, select the account again and check Full control. Click Apply > Yes. Click OK in all pop-ups.

At the end of the file, add the addresses of the websites you want to block. Add a line with “127.0.0.1” followed by the name of the site you want to block. For example, to block Google, add “127.0.0.1 www.google.com” without the quotes.

You can block multiple sites by adding one site per line.

Close the HOSTS file and click Save.

To apply the changes, reboot your computer. After the restart, you’ll find that the specified websites are now blocked.

By following these steps, you’ve effectively utilized the HOSTS file to block access to unwanted websites on your Windows computer. This method is straightforward and doesn’t require any third-party tools.

How to Block Any Website for the Mac user

If you wish to prevent access to specific websites on your Mac, you can utilize the Terminal to modify the HOSTS file. Follow these steps to block websites effectively:

Ensure you have administrator access on your Mac. Open Terminal, which you can find under /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.

Type sudo nano /etc/hosts in Terminal and press Enter. Enter your user (login) password when prompted.

The Terminal will open the /etc/hosts file in a text editor. Add the website you want to block in a new line in the format “127.0.0.1 www.blockedwebsite.com” (without the quotes).

For each website you want to block, start a new line and type the same command with only the name of the website being replaced. Once done, press ctrl+x and then Y to save changes.

Enter the command sudo dscacheutil -flushcache in Terminal and press Enter.

To ensure the websites are successfully blocked, restart your Mac. Alternatively, you can also log out and log back in.

By following these steps, you’ve effectively edited the HOSTS file to block access to specific websites on your Mac. This method provides a simple and direct way to control your internet usage without the need for third-party applications.

Best way to block any website at browser level

Blocking a website directly in your browser is a straightforward way to control your online activities. Here’s how you can achieve this on different browsers:

For Firefox:

Go to the Firefox Add-ons page and install the BlockSite addon.

Press ctrl+shift+a, then click on “Extensions” on the left. Now, select “Options” under BlockSite.

In the pop-up, click “Add” and type the name of the website you want to block. Repeat this process for all unwanted websites. Click OK.

To prevent others from modifying the blocked list, set a password via the Options menu.

Now, the specified websites will be blocked on Firefox.

For Google Chrome (Using BlockSite):

Find and install the BlockSite extension from the Chrome Web Store.

Press ctrl+shift+a, then click on “Extensions” on the left. Now, select “Options” under BlockSite.

Similar to Firefox, click “Add” in the pop-up and enter the names of the websites you wish to block. Click OK.

If desired, set a password in BlockSite’s options to secure the list of blocked websites.

Now, the specified websites will be blocked on Google Chrome.

For Internet Explorer:

Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools (alt+x) > Internet Options.

Click the “Security” tab, then select the red “Restricted sites” icon. Click the “Sites” button below the icon.

In the pop-up, type the names of the websites you want to block one by one. Click “Add” after typing each site.

Click “Close” and then “OK” in all other windows. The specified websites are now blocked in Internet Explorer.

How to block websites on your phone or tablet

Learn how to block any website on your iPhone or iPad

Apple provides useful parental control tools that allow you to restrict access to certain websites on your iPhone and iPad. Follow these steps to set up website restrictions:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and go to “General.”

Tap on “Restrictions” and then tap “Enable Restrictions.” Set a passcode for restrictions; this passcode should be different from the one used to unlock your device.

After setting the passcode, scroll down and tap on “Websites.”

You have two options:

This option allows access only to a predefined list of websites, such as Discovery Kids and Disney. You can add more sites by tapping on “Add a Website.”

Apple will block websites considered objectionable. You can whitelist websites by tapping on “Add a Website” under “Always Allow” or blacklist them under “Never Allow.”

Depending on your chosen restriction level, add or block websites accordingly.

If you attempt to access a blocked website, you’ll see a message indicating it is restricted. To open the website, tap “Allow Website” and enter the Restrictions passcode.

By following these steps, you can effectively use Apple’s parental control tools to block access to specific websites on your iPhone and iPad. This ensures a safer and more controlled online experience, especially for younger users.

Learn how do you block websites on your android phone

Download and install ES File Explorer from the Google Play Store.

Open ES File Explorer, tap the menu button at the top left, and go to Local > Device > system > etc.

In the ‘etc’ folder, find and tap the file named “hosts.” In the pop-up menu, select “Text,” and then choose “ES Note Editor.”

Tap the edit button in the top bar. To block sites, start a new line and type “127.0.0.1 www.blockedwebsite.com” for each website you want to block. For instance, to block Google, type “127.0.0.1 www.google.com.”

Save the changes, exit the editor, and reboot your Android device. The specified websites will now be blocked.

Using Trend Micro (For Non-Rooted Phones)

Download and install the Trend Micro Mobile Security & Antivirus app from the Google Play Store.

Open the app and go to Options > Safe surfing.

Swipe to “Parental Controls” and click “Set up account.” Create an account and look for the “Blocked List” option in the app.

Tap “Blocked List,” then tap “Add.” Add the websites you want to block one at a time.

Once done, you won’t be able to access the blocked websites on your Android smartphone.

How to Block Any Website On Windows Phone

Using Router Settings

Log in to your router’s admin console using a web browser. You can usually do this by entering the router’s IP address into the browser’s address bar.

Look for parental control or website blocking settings within your router’s interface. The exact location of these settings can vary based on the router brand and model.

In the parental control or website blocking section, add the websites you want to block. Save the changes.

Note: This method may affect all devices connected to the router, not just the Windows Phone.

Third-Party Apps

Check the Microsoft Store on your Windows Phone for any third-party apps that offer website blocking features. Search for terms like “website blocker” or “parental control.”

Install a reliable app that suits your needs. Follow the app’s instructions to configure and add websites to the blocklist.

Note: Be cautious when using third-party apps and ensure they are from reputable developers.

DNS Filtering

Some DNS filtering services allow you to block specific websites. You can set up these services on your router or the Windows Phone itself.

In your phone’s network settings, manually configure the DNS server settings to use a DNS filtering service. Follow the instructions provided by the service.

Note: This method may require technical knowledge and might not be as effective as using dedicated parental control features.

Learn how to Block Any Website On Your Network

If you have a Wi-Fi network at home, blocking unwanted websites can be efficiently done through your Wi-Fi router. While the exact steps can vary depending on your router model, the general process remains similar. Follow these steps as a basic guide, keeping in mind that specific details may differ based on your router:

Open any web browser and type “192.168.1.1” into the address bar. Press Enter. If this doesn’t work, refer to your ISP’s documentation for the correct router IP address.

You’ll be prompted to enter a username and password. Typically, the defaults are username: admin, password: password. If these don’t work, consult your ISP to obtain the correct login credentials.

Router interfaces may vary, but look for a section related to website or URL filtering. In some routers, you may find it under “Access Management” > “Filter.”

In the website filtering section, look for a drop-down menu called “Filter type selection.” Choose “URL Filter.”

Locate the URL field and enter the website you want to block.

Above the URL field, find an option called “Active.” Here, you may see buttons like Yes and No. Select Yes to activate the website blocking.

After making the necessary selections, look for a Save or Apply button. Click it to save the changes you’ve made.

Depending on your router, you might be able to create multiple lists of blocked websites. Follow the same steps to add more websites to your blocklist.

Remember, the steps provided are based on routers from MTNL and Airtel, and the interface can vary. If you encounter difficulties or are unsure about any settings, it’s advisable to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance. Incorrect changes could affect your internet connection, so proceed with caution and seek help if needed.

Hi! I am Hamad Hassan, the creator, and owner of AI Craze. I am a professional website developer, designer, and blogger. I am deeply passionate about technology and committed to sharing valuable information with my readers.

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