How Do I Create a Host File so I Can Block Websites?

Use the hosts file to prevent your child from accessing inappropriate websites.

The Internet is filled with websites that you might want to avoid. Some websites download malicious programs onto your computer. Other websites contain material that you may find inappropriate. Rather than purchasing an expensive software program to block websites, you can edit the hosts file that is found on all Windows operating systems. In addition to being free, editing the hosts file is advantageous because it blocks websites across all web browsers.

Instructions

1. Click "Start," "Computer," type "hosts" into the search box and press "Enter." Alternatively, you can navigate to the "hosts" file manually. The file is located at "SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Etc\hosts."

2. Double-click the "hosts" file.

3. Double-click "Notepad" when asked to choose the program you want to use to open the file.

4. Scroll down to the end of the document and type the text "127.0.0.1 website.com" after the last line. Replace "website.com" with the name of the website you want to block. To block more than one website, simply repeat this step.

5. Click "File" and "Save." The specified websites are now blocked.

References

• Guiding Tech: How to Block Websites by Editing the HOSTS File in Windows