How to block selected websites ?

[Ralph]

I want to block certain websites from my computer. Here's what I did:
I went to Tools/Internet Options/ Security/ Restricted Sites.
I added a few sites, assuming that IE would block access to these
sites. I was wrong. When I then attempted to load the sites, IE loaded
them.

I noticed the instructions on the Restricted Sites says, "All websites
in this zone will use the zone's security settings". Ok. Is there an
option or "security setting" to completely block access to selected
sites?

What do I need to do to block selected sites using the features
available from IE? (I am not interested in the option to buy some kind
of software that I have to install).

Thanks in advance for any assistance!!

 

[Bill]

Use the Windows Hosts file. This will be in different locations depending on your
operating system. Typically the file is named "Hosts" with no extension.

The file resolves web site names to IP addresses, and you can block any web site by
assigning it to IP address 0.0.0.0.

For example, if you wanted to block www.hotbabesspamwebsite.com, you would enter:

0.0.0.0 hotbabesspamwebsite.com

(by not entering the www., you block the website plus all subdomains).

I use this feature myself to block bad websites. Also blocks advertisement websites,
too!

Bill.

 

[N. Miller]

I want to block certain websites from my computer. Here's what I did:
I went to Tools/Internet Options/ Security/ Restricted Sites.
I added a few sites, assuming that IE would block access to these
sites. I was wrong. When I then attempted to load the sites, IE loaded
them.

I noticed the instructions on the Restricted Sites says, "All websites
in this zone will use the zone's security settings". Ok. Is there an
option or "security setting" to completely block access to selected
sites?

Not in MS Internet Explorer. The "Restricted sites" zone only restricts
the permissions given to the site to run scripts. Ideally, every option
is set to for maximum safety (this is default, nearly as I can tell; but
it can be changed by the user).

What do I need to do to block selected sites using the features
available from IE? (I am not interested in the option to buy some kind
of software that I have to install).

Thanks in advance for any assistance!!

There are no features in MS Internet Explorer to block selected sites.
You can either use a "hosts" file, as described by Bill, or use a
software firewall with outbound application control (there are still
some free versions available), or use a hardware firewall device, or run
your own local DNS service to "null route" undesirable sites.

All options are messy; but the hosts file is probably cheapest and
easiest.

 

[Ralph]

Thanks for both replies.

I did a search on my C drive for file name containing "host", and found
4.

1. hostsmgr in C:\WINDOWS (112KB application)
2. HOSTSMGR.EXE-OCF5A45C.PF in C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch (7 KB PF File)
3. hosts in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (1 KB File)
4. lmhosts in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (4 KB SAM File)

Which file is it?
And what application do I use to open and edit the file?
Thanks!!

 

[Guest]

Hi Ralph,
I hope am not intruding here, it is the file in this path
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc 1KB open this in notepad and edit these
websites as Bill and N.Miller descriped to you.
Do not edit the file Hosts.SAM leave this alone please.
HTH
nass

Thanks for both replies.

I did a search on my C drive for file name containing "host", and found
4.

1. hostsmgr in C:\WINDOWS (112KB application)
2. HOSTSMGR.EXE-OCF5A45C.PF in C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch (7 KB PF File)
3. hosts in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (1 KB File)
4. lmhosts in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (4 KB SAM File)

Which file is it?
And what application do I use to open and edit the file?
Thanks!!

 

[Bill]

Ralph, what version of Windows are you using?

Bill.

Thanks for both replies.

I did a search on my C drive for file name containing "host", and found
4.

1. hostsmgr in C:\WINDOWS (112KB application)
2. HOSTSMGR.EXE-OCF5A45C.PF in C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch (7 KB PF File)
3. hosts in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (1 KB File)
4. lmhosts in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc (4 KB SAM File)

Which file is it?
And what application do I use to open and edit the file?
Thanks!!