How do you block specific websites?

PeterT · 18 Apr 2009 at 07:49

Hi,
I have a need to block a couple of websites on my son's computer.
Please could you let me know how to do this without the computer asking for permission to access all websites via a password.
So if he logs onto the specific site there is no access but all other sites are fine.
The computer runs XP.

Thank you for your help,
PeterT

Poolybit · 18 Apr 2009 at 07:54

If it is just a couple of sites that you need to block, the easiest way is to put an entry into the host file on the PC which points those sites to 127.0.0.1. What OS version is the PC running?

Shaye87 · 18 Apr 2009 at 08:06

^ he said win xp
and ye, that will be it.
on vista the parental control otherwise.

PeterT · 18 Apr 2009 at 08:39

Hi,
The computer is running XP with Sp 3 and internet explorer 7.
Any easy to follow instructions would be great!!

PeterT

CaptainCrash · 18 Apr 2009 at 09:17

Go to the folder C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc, and you'll find a file called "hosts" (no extension). Right-click on it, select "Properties" and make sure the "read only" attribute is cleared, then right-click it again, open with Notepad, and for each site you want to block add the line 127.0.0.1 followed by the web address (it's pretty self-explanatory, and should look something like this):

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost
# Start of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
127.0.0.1 www.007guard.com
127.0.0.1 007guard.com
127.0.0.1 008i.com
127.0.0.1 www.008k.com
127.0.0.1 008k.com

Save and exit Notepad, and you're done.

I can't recall if you need to use a full administrator account to save the modified hosts file in XP (you certainly do in Vista) - if so, find Notepad in the start menu, right-click on the icon and choose to run as administrator, then navigate to the hosts file in the location as above.

PeterT · 18 Apr 2009 at 09:55

CaptainCrash, you are a star!!
It worked, well done and thank you ever so much.
Cheers,
PeterT

Wiggins · 18 Apr 2009 at 11:43

An easier way would be to use OpenDNS.

You can control access to ANY websites you deem necessary.

Paul11 · 18 Apr 2009 at 11:44

cant you also just block certain sites in your router?

Solaris · 18 Apr 2009 at 11:46

Depends on the router...

Wiggins · 18 Apr 2009 at 11:55

Paul11 said:
cant you also just block certain sites in your router?

Netgear usually have a blocking feature on their router but I think its on keywords.

Memphis · 18 Apr 2009 at 11:57

Wiggins said:
Netgear usually have a blocking feature on their router but I think its on keywords.

And domain names.

eXor · 18 Apr 2009 at 12:48

If he entered the urls in some anonymizer website, wouldn't he bypass such a block? *

* Assuming he's a tech savvy genius.

Shaye87 · 18 Apr 2009 at 14:43

well yeah exor, that's called a proxy.
there is no 100% block, you can't block all proxies in the world.

m4cc45 · 18 Apr 2009 at 15:49

You could if you were using a proxy but that would be overkill.

Hosts files is easiest if you have a router some come with categories that you could potentially block as well - may well be worth looking into.

Other than that parental controls / safesurf is another good option.

M.