There are many reasons why Internet users are interested in how to restrict access to a site of this or that content. Some of the most common reasons are restricting children's access to certain content, such as adult and gambling.
Many employers use blocking of entertainment websites as a way to increase employee productivity. Thus, many people may need instructions on how to block access to the site and will help to avoid various problems.
The methods for blocking sites using Internet Explorer settings are free, but they can be easily circumvented. Proxies and the hosts file are also not very reliable methods. Therefore, the best way is to use special software (for example, Employee Monitor or “parental control”), which allows you to block website content in a more efficient way, and also has many other functions.
How to block access to the site using HT Employee Monitor
1. Download and install HT Employee Monitor on your computer.
2. Click the Block Websites button.
3. Click on the button called “Add”.
4. In the window that appears, enter the address of the site you want to block or a keyword, for example youtube.com.
5. Click on "OK."
HT Employee Monitor is easy to use and efficient, limiting user activity and Internet usage.
What you can do using HT Employee Monitor:
- block the download of sites in the most popular browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, etc.);
- set a ban on a site by its URL;
- restrict access to sites by keywords;
- block sites by category (pornography, gambling, drugs, online stores, chats, etc.);
- disable all applications (instant messengers, browsers, programs, etc.);
- Track and record all the computer activities of all your employees (running applications, typing characters, visited websites, system activities, screenshots, and much more).
How to block access to the site using the hosts file:
1. Determine the location of the hosts file, which depends on your operating system:
- in Windows XP, Windows 7 and Vista, it is located along the route: C: \ Windows \ System32 \ Drivers \ Etc \ hosts;
- on Windows 2000, at C: \ WINNT \ System32 \ Drivers \ Etc \ hosts.
Before taking any action, be sure to back up the hosts file and copy it to a safe place.
2. Open the hosts file using notepad or another text editor.
3. Find the line 127.0.0.1 local.
4. To block, for example, the site youtube.com, you must add the following entry: 127.0.0.1 youtube.com.
5. Save and close the hosts file.
6. Restart your computer to save the changes.
7. Try opening the youtube website in a browser window. If it does not open, the changes are saved.
How to block access to the site in Internet Explorer:
1. Open the Internet Explorer window, then select "Tools."
2. Find the item called “Internet Options.”
3. Click on the “Content” tab.
4. Click “Enable”
5. Click on the "Allowed Sites" tab.
6. Enter the address of the website that you want to block in the browser.
7. Select never, and then click OK.
8. In the window that appears, enter and confirm the new password.
9. Click on the “General” tab and make sure that the settings are selected under which users can view websites that do not have ratings.
10. Click on "OK."
A few simple steps and access is limited!