How to Block an IP Address on a Computer

Each computer, server or a website connect to the Internet is assigned an Internet Protocol, or IP, address that is usually expressed in the dot-decimal form. Blocking an IP address does not permit a network connection to and from a computer with that IP address. This can be accomplished easily by editing the computers host file to redirect any attempt by any browser back to the local computer.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" | "Computer | "C: Local Disk" | "Windows" | "System 32" | "Drivers" | and "etc."

2. Copy the "hosts" file to your desktop, so you have a backup version to fall back to.

3. Right-click on the "hosts" file still in the "etc" directory and choose "Open." If you are asked what program to open the file in choose "Notepad."

4. At the bottom of the file type "127.0.0.1" (without the quotes), then put in a space, and then put in the address you would like to block. For example, if you wanted to block "google.com," you would enter "127.0.0.1 google.com".

5. Click the "File" menu and choose "Save."

6. Restart your computer.

7. Once your computer restarts and you launch your Web browser, if you try to navigate to the website you blocked it will not appear.

References

• FPWeb.net: Editing Your Host File
• Jambai Blog: Blocking Websites Using Host File in Windows

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish