There are various reasons someone might want to block websites—whether it’s protecting children, limiting distractions, or maintaining productivity. This comprehensive guide walks you through seven proven methods to block websites on your devices and networks. These methods can be used individually or in combination for stronger results.
Disclaimer: Some of these steps involve system-level changes. Please proceed with caution and ensure you have administrative privileges. The guide is meant for educational purposes and aims to promote digital safety.
1. Use Family Safety Filters on Search Engines
A great starting point is to enable family safety filters directly through search engines like Google.
Steps to enable Google SafeSearch:
- Visit Google SafeSearch.
- Check the box next to “Turn on SafeSearch”.
- This filters explicit images, videos, and websites from Google Search results.
- Repeat similar steps on other search engines like Bing or Yahoo.
This is especially useful for families with children, offering a simple layer of protection across search results.
2. Install Browser Extensions Like BlockSite
Browser extensions provide easy control over which websites can be accessed.
How to use BlockSite on Chrome:
- Visit the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for “BlockSite”.
- Choose the official extension by BlockSite (BlockSite Website).
- Click “Add to Chrome” and follow the setup instructions.
- Use the free plan to block adult content or specific websites (up to 3 sites).
You can also:
- Add password protection to prevent others from changing settings (available in paid plans).
- Block social media, adult content, gambling sites, and more.
BlockSite offers a premium plan for advanced features, including unlimited blocking and password-protected access.
3. Use Built-In Parental Controls in Windows
Windows offers built-in parental control through Microsoft Family Safety.
To set it up:
- Create a Microsoft Family Group via Microsoft Family Safety.
- Add child accounts to the group.
- Set content filters, screen time, and web usage limitations.
- Use activity reporting to monitor web and app usage.
This method works across Windows devices and is ideal for structured control and reporting.
4. Install Dedicated Parental Control Software
If you want even more features, consider premium parental control solutions like Canopy, Net Nanny, or Qustodio.
Example – Canopy:
- Website: Canopy.us
- Price: Starting at $9.99/month for up to 10 devices.
- Features: Blocks explicit content, tracks usage, and protects devices across platforms.
These apps work on PCs, tablets, and smartphones—ideal for complete household coverage.
5. Edit the Hosts File on Windows
Advanced users can block websites at the system level by modifying the hosts file.
How to edit your hosts file:
- Open Notepad as an administrator.
- Navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts - Open the
hostsfile. - Add lines like:
127.0.0.1 example.com 127.0.0.1 www.example.com(Replace example.com with the websites you want to block.) - Save the file.
You can find a regularly updated list of domains to block from this GitHub repository.
Tip: Use Group Policy Editor to lock the hosts file and prevent tampering.
6. Use DNS-Based Filtering (e.g., OpenDNS)
Changing DNS settings allows network-wide content filtering.
How to use OpenDNS:
- Create a free account at OpenDNS.
- Log in to your home router and replace your default DNS with:
208.67.222.123 208.67.220.123 - Configure categories to block (adult content, gambling, violence, etc.).
- Save settings and flush your DNS cache:
ipconfig /flushdns
OpenDNS works on routers, computers, and mobile devices, providing comprehensive protection across your network.
7. Use Router-Level Website Blocking
Many routers include Parental Controls or Access Restrictions.
To enable router-level blocking:
- Log in to your router’s admin panel (usually via
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1). - Locate Parental Controls, Access Control, or DNS Settings.
- Block specific domains or use OpenDNS as your DNS provider.
- Set a strong admin password to prevent changes.
This method ensures all connected devices follow the same rules—perfect for families or shared environments.
Bonus Tip: Clear DNS Cache and Temporary Files
After applying any blocking method, clear your DNS cache and internet history:
Steps to flush DNS and clear cache:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run:
ipconfig /flushdns - Clear browser history and cached data to avoid access via stored information.
Conclusion
Blocking websites can help protect children, improve productivity, and enforce digital boundaries. While no single method is foolproof, combining several of these methods will offer robust protection. Whether you’re using browser-based tools, DNS filtering, or parental controls—it’s easier than ever to create a safer internet experience.
Tags: website blocking methods, block adult content, parental control software, edit hosts file, OpenDNS setup, block websites Chrome, internet safety, Windows parental controls, BlockSite extension, Microsoft Family Safety
Hashtags: #WebsiteBlocking #ParentalControl #InternetSafety #BlockWebsites #OnlineSecurity #OpenDNS #FamilySafety #DigitalParenting
