How to Block a Website on Any Device or Browser (2025 Guide)  

Key highlights 

• Learn how to block website access on any device or browser to improve focus, protect family members and boost online security. 
• Explore simple, step-by-step methods for blocking websites on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and even entire networks. 
• Understand how to combine browser, device and network tools to strengthen website blocking and prevent bypass attempts. 
• Uncover our role in managing website access and protecting your site with built-in security tools. 
• Know the best practices for blocking websites effectively, including scheduling blocks and locking settings for stronger control. 

Introduction 

Tired of constant distractions, unsafe sites or harmful links while browsing? Learning how to block website access gives you a simple yet powerful way to take back control. 

With just a few tools, you can improve focus, protect your family and strengthen your online security, all without needing advanced tech skills. 

In this guide, you’ll explore practical methods to block websites across browsers, devices and networks. This will help you create a safer and more productive online experience. 

Why do you need to block a website? 

You may wonder why learning how to block website access matters. Blocking websites helps you protect your privacy, control access and improve productivity. Here are some key reasons why blocking websites can make a big difference: 

1. Boosting productivity at work 

Certain websites can easily distract you during work hours. Blocking them helps you stay focused. 

Here’s why it matters: 

• Reduces distractions from entertainment and social media 
• Avoids wasting time on unwanted websites 
• Builds a more productive work environment 

Many companies use group policy, browser extension tools or system settings to enforce these blocks. You can apply similar tools on your personal devices to manage your workflow better. 

2. Protecting children with parental controls 

Parents often want to block websites to keep kids safe online. You can use parental controls or content restrictions to protect them from adult content or malicious content. 

Key reasons to block websites for kids include: 

• Preventing access to adult websites and harmful material 
• Setting a limited list of allowed websites for safe browsing 
• Controlling screen time by blocking distracting or inappropriate sites 

On Apple devices, you can enable screen time controls and select limit adult websites under privacy restrictions. Android users can use blocking apps or built-in tools to block specific websites. 

3. Blocking harmful or malicious websites 

Sometimes, you need to block websites that pose a security risk. This keeps your devices safe from malware or phishing. 

Here’s how blocking helps: 

• Stops access to risky website URLs 
• Reduces exposure to phishing attempts 
• Protects data from malicious downloads 

You can block URLs using browser settings, a text or JSON file or simple Chrome and Firefox extensions. 

Also read: Website Security 101: Easy Steps to Protect Your Site from Cyber Threats 

How to block websites on your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)? 

Blocking websites directly in your browser helps you control distractions, limit access to adult websites and protect against malicious content. 

To help you choose the best method quickly, here’s a summary table of the top methods to block websites across Chrome, Edge and Firefox: 

Browser	Method 1	Method 2	Method 3
Google Chrome	Install BlockSite extension	Turn on SafeSearch in Chrome settings	Edit Hosts file to block URLs system-wide
Microsoft Edge	Use Microsoft Family Safety for parental controls	Edit Hosts file to block URLs	Install BlockSite extension from Edge store
Mozilla Firefox	Install BlockSite (parental control extension)	Edit about:config network settings	Use LeechBlock or similar add-ons

Now that you’ve seen the main options, let’s walk through the step-by-step instructions for each browser so you can apply them easily. 

How to block websites on Chrome? 

Google Chrome does not offer a built-in blocker, but you can block websites using extensions, SafeSearch or system settings. 

1. Using Chrome extensions like BlockSite: 

• Open Google Chrome. 
• Click the three dots in the top right corner. 
• Go to Extensions → Visit Chrome Web Store. 
• Search for BlockSite and click Add to Chrome. 
• After installing, click the BlockSite icon near the address bar. 
• Select Block Sites from the dropdown menu. 
• Enter the website URLs you want to block. 
• Click Add Websites to save them to your block list. 

You can enable password protection to prevent others from changing settings. You can also set a schedule to block websites during specific hours. 

2. Editing Chrome settings with SafeSearch: 

• Open Chrome and click the profile icon in the top right corner. 
• Select Manage your Google Account → Data & Privacy. 
• Scroll down to Content → Search settings. 
• Turn on SafeSearch to automatically limit adult websites and filter explicit results. 

This filters most adult content but does not block specific URLs. 

3. Using the Hosts file for system-wide blocking: 

For Windows users: 

• Open Notepad as Administrator. 
• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. 
• Open the hosts file. 
• Add this line at the end: 

127.0.0.1 www.[example].com (replace [example].com with the website you want to block)

• Save the file and restart Chrome. 

This method blocks the site across all browsers on the same operating system. 

How do you block a website in Microsoft Edge? 

You can block websites in Microsoft Edge using parental controls, hosts file or extensions. 

1. Using Microsoft Family Safety to block websites: 

• Visit family.microsoft.com and log in with your Microsoft account. 
• Select your child’s profile. 
• Click Content filters → Web and search filters. 
• Turn on Filter inappropriate websites. 
• Scroll to Blocked sites and enter specific URLs. 
• Click Add to save them. 

This prevents access to adult websites and other inappropriate content on Edge. 

2. Editing the Hosts file to block websites in Edge: 

Use the same hosts file steps listed under Chrome. It blocks sites across Edge, Chrome and other browsers. 

3. Installing third-party extensions to block websites: 

• Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. 
• Select Extensions → Open Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store. 
• Search for BlockSite or similar tools. 
• Click Get and install the extension. 
• Open the extension’s settings and add websites you want to block. 

You can also enable password protection or set up schedules in the extension. 

How do you block a website on Firefox? 

Firefox offers parental control add-ons and configuration settings for blocking websites. 

1. Using parental control extensions: 

• Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three lines) in the top right corner. 
• Go to Add-ons and themes. 
• Search for LeechBlock, BlockSite or other parental control extensions. 
• Click Add to Firefox and install. 
• Open the extension settings and enter website URLs to block. 
• Save your block list and set a password if needed. 

You can configure blocked sites to show a blocked page message or a redirect to allowed sites. 

2. Editing Firefox configuration settings: 

For advanced users: 

• Type about:config in the Firefox address bar. 
• Accept the warning and continue. 
• Search for network.proxy.no_proxies_on. 
• Add domains you want to block using special proxy settings. 

By following these methods, you can control access to websites across Chrome, Edge and Firefox and tailor your browsing experience to your needs. 

How to block a website on your computer (Windows & Mac)? 

Sometimes, you want to block websites across all browsers on your computer, not just inside Chrome, Edge or Firefox. You can block websites at the operating system level by editing system files or using special apps. 

Here’s a quick summary of the main ways to block websites on Windows and Mac: 

Device	Method 1	Method 2
Windows	Edit Hosts file	Use blocking apps like Cold Turkey
Mac	Edit Hosts file	Use Focus app or similar tools

Now let’s look at step-by-step instructions for each method. 

1. Editing the Hosts file on Windows 

Editing the Hosts file lets you block websites across all browsers, including Chrome, Firefox and Edge. 

Here’s how to do it: 

• Open the Start menu and search for Notepad. 
• Right-click Notepad and choose Run as administrator. 
• In Notepad, click File → Open. 
• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. 
• In the bottom-right dropdown, select All Files to see the hosts file. 
• Double-click the hosts file to open it. 
• Scroll to the bottom and add this line: 

127.0.0.1 www.[example].com 

Replace www.[example].com with the website URL you want to block. 

• Save the file (File → Save) and close Notepad. 
• Restart your browser or your computer. 

This method stops all browsers from accessing the blocked URLs. 

Also read: How to Edit Hosts File: A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide 

2. Using third-party apps (Cold Turkey, Focus) 

If you prefer an app instead of editing system files, you can use tools like Cold Turkey (Windows) or Focus (Mac) to block websites. 

On Windows (Cold Turkey): 

• Download and install Cold Turkey from getcoldturkey.com. 
• Open Cold Turkey and go to Block Lists. 
• Click Create a new block list. 
• Enter the names of your block list and add specific websites or keywords. 
• Save your list and activate it. 
• You can set timers or schedules and password-protect the settings. 

Cold Turkey also lets you block certain apps in addition to websites. 

On Mac (Focus app): 

• Download and install Focus from heyfocus.com. 
• Open Focus and go to Preferences → Blocking. 
• Add website URLs you want to block under the Blocked Websites section. 
• Click Start Focus Session to activate blocking. 
• Set schedules or use a manual timer for blocking sessions. 

Focus helps block inappropriate content, distractions or adult sites while working. 

By using these methods, you can block unwanted websites across your entire computer—not just inside one browser. You can choose either a system-level block or an app-based solution depending on how much control you need. 

How do you block websites on a mobile device (iPhone and Android)? 

Blocking websites on your mobile device helps you control access to adult websites, distractions and malicious content. You can use built-in settings or apps to block specific websites on both iPhone and Android. 

Here’s a quick summary table of the main ways to block websites on iPhone and Android: 

Device	Method 1	Method 2
iPhone	Use Screen Time content restrictions	Use third-party parental control apps
Android	Use Digital Wellbeing tools	Use third-party website blocking apps

This table highlights the simplest methods available on each mobile device. 

Now let’s go through the detailed steps so you can apply these settings easily. 

1. Using Screen Time settings on iPhone 

The Screen Time feature on iPhones allows you to block adult websites or manually block specific websites. 

Follow these steps: 

• Open Settings on your iPhone. 
• Tap Screen Time. 
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. 
• Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to On. 
• Tap Content Restrictions → Web Content. 
• Choose Limit Adult Websites to block known adult content automatically. 
• To block a specific website, tap Add Website under Never Allow. 
• Enter the website URL you want to block and tap Done. 

These settings will block the selected websites in Safari and other browsers on the iPhone. 

You can also add a Screen Time passcode to prevent others from changing the settings. 

2. Using Digital Wellbeing tools or third-party apps on Android 

Android offers Digital Wellbeing tools, but you can also install apps to block websites more effectively. 

Using Digital Wellbeing: 

• Open Settings on your Android device. 
• Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. 
• Tap Dashboard to view your app and site usage. 
• Tap the browser app (like Chrome) from the list. 
• Tap Set timer and choose how much time you allow for that app. 

While Digital Wellbeing cannot block specific websites, it limits how much time you can spend on browser apps overall. 

To block specific websites, you need to use a third-party app. 

Using third-party blocking apps: 

• Open Google Play Store. 
• Search for apps like BlockSite or Stay Focused. 
• Install the app of your choice. 
• Open the app and follow the setup instructions. 
• Add website URLs you want to block to your block list. 
• Enable password protection or schedules if available. 

These apps work across different browsers and let you block websites, apps or even keywords. 

By using these methods, you can block unwanted websites on both iPhone and Android, protect your privacy and reduce distractions wherever you go. 

How do you block websites through your router or DNS? 

Blocking websites at the router or DNS level ensures that all devices connected to your network follow the same restrictions. This method blocks unwanted websites for every user without configuring individual devices. 

Here’s a quick summary table of the main ways to block websites through your router or DNS: 

Method	Description
Router admin panel	Manually enter blocked websites in router settings
DNS filtering services	Use services like OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing to filter web content

This table shows two powerful ways to block websites across your entire home or office network. 

Now let’s walk through the detailed steps so you can set it up easily. 

1. Setting up website blocking rules in your router admin panel 

Many routers let you block websites directly from their settings. 

Here’s how to do it: 

• Connect your computer to the router (wired or Wi-Fi). 
• Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (common ones: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). 
• Log in to the router’s admin panel using your username and password. 
• Look for a section called Access Restrictions, Security, Parental Controls or Website Blocking (depends on router model). 
• Find the option to block specific websites or create a block list. 
• Enter the website URLs you want to block. 
• Save the settings and restart your router if required. 

After setup, all devices on your network will be unable to access the blocked URLs. 

Some routers also let you block by keywords or set schedules to limit access at certain times. 

2. Using DNS filtering services like OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing 

DNS filtering services block websites by filtering requests before they reach the website. 

Follow these steps using OpenDNS as an example: 

• Create a free account at OpenDNS.com. 
• Log in to your OpenDNS dashboard. 
• Add your home IP address under Settings → Networks. 
• Choose a filtering level (for example- moderate, high) to automatically block adult content, malicious content and other categories. 
• To block specific websites, go to Manage Individual Domains and enter the website URLs to block. 
• Save your changes. 
• Now you need to point your router to use OpenDNS: 
• Log in to your router’s admin panel. 
• Find the DNS settings (usually under Network or Internet settings). 
• Replace the existing DNS addresses with: 

208.67.222.222 
208.67.220.220 

• Save the settings and reboot your router. 

Alternatively, you can use CleanBrowsing by replacing DNS addresses with: 

185.228.168.168 
185.228.169.168 

DNS filtering will now block websites across all devices connected to your network. 

By using router settings or DNS filtering, you can block malicious content, adult sites and other inappropriate content for everyone on your Wi-Fi. This method works well for families or businesses that need a network-wide solution. 

What role does a hosting provider play in blocking websites and managing access? 

A hosting provider plays an important role in helping you control access to your website. Instead of blocking websites on each device, Bluehost helps you manage visitors, filter threats and protect content from your hosting account. 

How does Bluehost’s security features support access control? 

You can manage access in several ways when hosting with Bluehost: 

• Use the IP Blocker to block visitors from specific IP addresses 
• Protect private folders with password-protected directories 
• Rely on Bluehost’s built-in ModSecurity firewall to filter harmful requests automatically 
• Customize your .htaccess file to block or allow traffic based on IP or other rules 

These features help you control website access and keep your site protected from threats, beyond just device- or browser-level restrictions. 

Ready to host your website with confidence and control? Get started with Bluehost hosting today. 

What are the best practices for blocking websites effectively? 

Blocking websites works best when you use multiple methods together. Instead of relying on just one tool, you can combine browser, device and network-level solutions. 

1. Combining browser, device and network solutions 

Use a browser extension, set parental controls on your device and add DNS filters to your router. This blocks specific websites across different access points, reducing the chances of bypassing restrictions. 

2. Preventing users from bypassing website blocks 

To stop users from bypassing blocks: 

• Add password protection to extension settings 
• Lock Screen Time or parental controls with a passcode 
• Set router-level blocks so all devices follow the rules 

These steps secure your block list from changes. 

Also read: How to Block an IP Address From Visiting my Website 

3. Scheduling website blocking for specific times 

You can schedule blocking to limit access only during work, school or bedtime hours. Tools like BlockSite, Cold Turkey and Focus let you set times to block unwanted websites automatically. 

By following these best practices, you strengthen your website blocks and keep access under control across browsers, devices and networks. 

Final thoughts 

Blocking websites is one of the most effective ways to improve focus, protect your family and secure your devices. You can start small by setting up browser extensions or parental controls, then strengthen your defenses with router settings or DNS filters. 

Take action today to create a safer, more productive online experience across all your devices. And if you want to secure your own website with built-in access controls and trusted security tools, Bluehost has you covered. With Bluehost, you get everything you need to protect your site and your visitors. 

Need more control over your network? Explore Bluehost Hosting + Security Tools 

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