It is quite easy to block websites on Computer, Mobile devices (Android, iOS, Windows) and Mac OS. Let’s see the detailed guide one by one.
#1. How to Block a Website on Computer
It is possible to set control access to websites at OS level. Below listed is a generic method and will work irrespective of browser.
A. How to Block a Website on Windows OS
This one will require admin access. Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Sign in your system using admin credentials and go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
Step 2: At this location search for the file named “hosts”. Open this file with Notepad by doing right click and selecting “Open With”. After that, select Notepad from the list of programs.
Step 3: Now, the last two lines of this file should be- “# 127.0.0.1 localhost” and “# ::1 localhost”.
Note: a. If you are unable to edit the file, then right-click the file and select Properties. Go to the Security tab, select administrator account and click Edit.
b. A pop-up will appear, select the account again and check Full Control. Click Apply and do OK in all pop-ups.
Step 4: Beneath these two lines add the addresses of the websites you wish to block by adding writing 127.0.0.1 in a new line. This will redirect the website’s name to your local system.
Add as many site’s names you want, one in each line. For eg., to block Google, type “127.0.0.1 www.google.com” at the end of the file without quotation.
Step 5: Once done, save the hosts file and close it.
Reboot your computer and try opening those sites. All would be blocked.
B. How to Block a Website on Mac OS
Step 1: Sign in your Mac OS using admin credentials.
Step 2: Open Terminal by following this path- /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.
Step 3: Now type sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Enter. Enter the login password. It will open the file – /etc/hosts in a text editor.
Step 4: Now, you have to enter the addresses of the websites you wish to block by adding writing 127.0.0.1 in a new line. It will redirect the website’s name to your local system.
Add as many site’s names you want, one in each line. For eg., to block Google, type “127.0.0.1 www.google.com” at the end of the file without quotation.
Step 5: Once done, press ctrl+x and then Y to save changes.
Step 6: Now key in the command “sudo dscacheutil –fluscache” and press Enter or else restart your system to ensure websites are blocked.
#2. How to Block a Website on Mobile Devices
If you want to block websites on your Mobile/Tablet device also, get the detailed guide below for iOS, Android and Windows OS:-
A. How to Block a Website on iOS (iPhone or iPad)
Apple has handy control tools that ease the process of blocking websites. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings -> General.
Step 2: Click Enable Restrictions. Set a passcode for restrictions. It is always advised to use a different passcode than what you use to unlock your phone.
Step 3: Now, scroll down and tap websites. Here you can block websites based on their genres or block specific websites.
Step 4: In specific websites only, you’ll see a list of allowed websites like Discovery kids, Disney, etc. You can add more sites as per your choice.
Step 5: If you select limit adult content, Apple automatically blocks the pornographic content. Here you can also whitelist websites that you don’t wish to block.
Now try to access a blocked website through the browser. It will show access restricted message, but you can pass this by giving access passcode whenever required.
B. How to Block a Website on Android Device (Mobile/Tablet)
On Android Device you can block a website by simply editing ‘Hosts’ file. For this, you have to use File Explorer. We suggest you use ‘ES File Explorer’ one of the best file explorers for Android device.
Let’s see the simple steps to block a website:
Step 1: Install ES File Explorer on your Android device from Google Play Store.
Step 2: Now, open ES File Explorer app and tap on the 3 horizontal bar menu icon from Top-Left.
Step 3: Just navigate to the path: “Local -> Device -> system -> etc”.
Step 4: Here there’ll be a file named ‘hosts’. Tap on it and tap text in the pop-up menu.
Step 5: Now tap on ES Note Editor in the next pop up. Simply tap on the ‘Edit button’ from the top bar.
Step 6: Now, enter the addresses of the websites you wish to block by adding writing ‘127.0.0.1’ in a new line. This will redirect the website’s name to your local system.
Add as many site’s names you want, one in each line. For eg., to block Google, type “127.0.0.1 www.google.com” at the end of the file without quotation.
Just reboot your mobile device so that these changes could take place.
C. Blocking Website on Windows Phone
It’s not possible to do a full block of websites in Windows ph1. Hence, you’ll need to download safety browser like: “AVG Family Safety Browser”. These safety browsers blocks websites with malicious or explicit content by default.
#3. How to Block a Website On Network
If you use Wi-Fi, then you can block unwanted websites through Wi-Fi router. Be careful while handling your router for this purpose as changing the wrong setting might de-activate your connection. Follow the below steps for Beetel 450TC1 router (MTNL, Delhi) or Binatone Router (Airtel).
Step 1: First Go to router settings. for this open any browser on your system or device and type ‘192.168.1.1′ (localhost address) in the search bar.
Step 2: Now, Enter username and password set up during the installation of your connection. In most of the cases, the default username and password for routers are: ‘admin, admin’, ‘admin, password’, ‘root, password’.
Step 3: Now go to Access Management -> Filter.
Step 4: You’ll see a drop-down called Filter type selection. Select URL Filter and type the name of the website you wish to block.
Step 5: Now, go to Active option and select ‘Yes’, select Save.
That’s it. The website will be blocked on the network.
These are the methods to block websites on different devices without using any third party tool/app (except Windows Phone). There are many third-party tools, apps, extensions available for your device and browser so that you can directly block a website by simply adding into these tools.