How to Block a Website With a Filter

Setting a filter at the system level will block inappropriate sites across all browsers.

The Internet is filled with websites that introduce harmful viruses and malware (short for malicious software) to systems, as well as websites that contain material that may be inappropriate for certain users. Each individual Internet browser comes with the ability to filter certain websites based on the URL entered by the system administrator. This method, while effective, may be bypassed in a number of ways. The best way to block a website is by setting a filter at the system level which will block the site across all browsers.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection

Instructions

Setting the Website Filter

1. Open the Windows Start Menu and click the "Run" option.

2. Type "cmd" (without the quotation marks) in the blank field and click "Run."

3. Type the following command in the command prompt window: notepad C:/Windows/System32/drivers/etc/hosts.

4. Scroll down to the line in the notepad file that reads "127.0.0.1 localhost".

5. Press the "Return" key on the keyboard to start a new line below "127.0.0.1 localhost" and type:
   127.0.0.1 undesired_site1.com
   127.0.0.1 www.undesired_site1.com

6. Enter a new set of command lines for each website that needs to be blocked. Each website address must be preceded by 127.0.0.1.

7. Save and close the notepad file and close the command prompt window.

8. Open an Internet browser and test the new filter.

Tips & Warnings

• To remove a filter, simply delete the two lines of code that contain the website's address.

References

• Delete Computer History: How to Block a Website