how do I block websites with firefox

I want to block some websites that my kids go to. I use Firefox and
firefox does not use a host file

 

what do you mean "Firefox does not use a host file?" Sure it does. It
works great with mine. It works with any program that is connected to
the internet. Maybe you just don't know how to use it properly.

 

You have many options:

1. Third-party site-blocking software
2. Add entries in the hosts file
3. Get a router, or if you already have one, use it to block access to
various web sites.
4. ...

 

Sure it does.

You're running Windows XP.

Be logged in as a privileged user.

Open a DOS command window, type:
notepad C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

Put the following line in hosts:
127.0.0.1 www.google.com

File > Save.

Now try to open http://www.google.com with any web browser on the PC.

Remove the line you added from hosts to restore access to the Googl;e
web site

 

Firefox has nothing to do with it. A Hosts file is a Windows-level
function. If a Hosts file is present and has correct entries in it NO
browser on your system will be able to access those entries: Windows
prevents it.

http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=off&q=hosts+file&btnG=Search
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file

- You can download a Hosts file
(http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm) and use it "as is" or edit it.
- You can create your own Hosts file by editing the sample Windows
provides (C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.sam)

 

I'll also add to your last entry Ed, that you should save it as a text
file and without any extension.

 

Yup! Good one.

 

host file doesnt block with firefox

okay im way frustrated, editing the host file blocks in internet explorer, but not in firefox, i tried it. i tried blocking google and in internet explorer it is blocked, but in firefox it still works..... WHAT CAN I DO!!!!

 

OK Ive waisted enough time trying this alone ... I need help

I have had success with these.

www.google.com
www.myspace.com

I have tried for hours to block these sites by entering them into my hosts file.

www.craigslist.com
www.craigslist.org
richmond.craigslist.org
richmond.craigslist.org/cas
richmond.craigslist.org/w4m
richmond.craigslist.org/m4w
richmond.craigslist.org/w4w

and the list goes on.

WHAT GIVES?!?!

Can someone else try this and tell me its possible?

I would like to redirect these attempts to others sites like
disney.com
nick.com
cartoonnetwork.com
etc...
( you know for shits and giggles) :twisted:

 

I have tried multiple times to block a website in my hosts file but it won't work in Firefox OR Internet Explorer. What am I doing wrong? Here is my host file:

Code:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2004 Microsoft Corp.
#
# AutoGenerated by Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Malicious Software Removal Tool.
# 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

127.0.0.1       www.miniclip.com

Am I doing something wrong or what? Why isn't this working?

 

Small problem with 'hosts' file

All the 'hosts' file method does is 'lies' to your internet browser, disguising the real location of a website, and associating the address with the local machine (127.0.0.1). Even if you are successful in setting this system up, it's little more than a minor inconvenience. Try this:

Use the system described to block 'google.co.uk' as you have been doing, then follow any of these links:

www.google.co.uk
www.google.co.uk
www.google.co.uk

Just to prove that the problem is inherent in the system, and is not just because of the way you set it up, click this one:

www.google.co.uk

Why does it work?

Whenever you type an address, your internet program asks windows for the numerical 'IP address'. The first thing windows does is looks in its 'hosts' file, to see if it already knows it. If it doesn't, then it contacts your ISP, and asks them if they know (a DNS server). By putting entries in your 'hosts' file, you mislead windows into thinking it knows the address, but you feed it an incorrect one, and since it doesn't bother to check this address with the ISP, then for all intents and purposes, the website is down.

This is the crunch though, if you already happen to know the NUMERICAL address, you can just type that straight in. The easiest way to find this is to open a command prompt, and type nslookup google.co.uk. This should give you at least one valid numerical address.

Now - what can you do about this? Very little, you could deny access to the command prompt, or specifically to nslookup, but this would have little effect, with significant hindrance to the system, since there are also multitudinous websites, literally thousands, that offer the same service as nslookup, such as This One, so unless you also plan to block all these, then blocking nslookup is futile, and hence so is using the hosts file for security.

The bottom line is that although there isn't really any system guaranteed to keep your browsers clean, this is probably the least effective, not least because you have to manually update the list whenever you want to block a site. If you want my advice, invest some time in setting up a tried and tested content filter.

P.S. Patricia - You might find that Windows is set up to ignore the hosts file altogether, a setting you can probably change, but believe me, it's not worth the effort.

It's not just me! edit: Also, check this page out!

 

Hello: If I can be of help. One of the softwares which I use is: ZoneAlarm, you can set this program to block websites; I do it all the time. For further information, go to:

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/media/flash/clientTutorial/overview.html

 

hello jerry

hope im not too late.

host file blocking dont work on dynamic IP.

Use firefox extension called adblock its free.

 

firefox ignoring host file

If the hosts file is not working with mozilla firefox, clear the cache file by clicking tools->clear private data. Clear all fields except for 'cache' and then click on 'clear private data now'. Restart firefox. The hosts file should now work as expected.

Regards,
Nick

 

Using edit

The problem may be that there is an extension added by note pad. Instead, use edit whenever you are changing the host file.

 

You must reboot after making changes to Hosts

I'm sure this is old news to most, but for those having trouble editing
hosts, you should reboot the pc after editing hosts to apply
any changes.

 

Alright I've tried this method numerous times in order to block certain websites on my computer and it has yet to properly block the sites.
Everytime I block a website it only does it for one user, for every other user the site isn't blocked.
Can anyone tell me why that is?

 

I can recommend the Firefox add-on BlockSite, which is available at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3145

It works for me. It is possible to prevent others from switching it off with password. Further instructions are at the site linked to.

Hope it works!

 

yes patriciaj102, you were doing it wrong

give next ip address for blocking urls

that is instead of using 127.0.0.1 use 127.0.0.2

for next url u want to block use 127.0.0.3 and so on....

url = uniform resource locator (this is the address of websites eg: http://www.google.com)

 

:???:
I think this person is looking for what she CAN do and NOT what she CAN'T do...
Here is a link for an add-on from Mozilla to block websites. It appears to work similar to the IPTABLES in Linux boxes...
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3145