Q: how can I block specific URLs on my PC?

[npincus]

Is there a way to do this?

I know in "Internet Options" then "Content", it is possible to set access for websites according to "ratings" (for language, violence, nudity,e tc.) but if you do this, the frigging dialogue box pops up EVERYTIME any new web page loads (a message tells me that the web site is "not rated"). this is too annoying. There are a couple of web sites I want to block access to on my computer. Is there any way of doing this?

thanks a lot.

[catmandu57]

1. I don't know about that, but

there is a program that I use called noads, it is a pop up killer mostly, but, you can tell it to block a website if it comes up. Noads will then quarantine it and block it from coming up in the future. http://noads.com should get you there.

[entanglement]

2. A software or hardware firewall should do the trick

n/t

[CBGLuthier]

3. hosts file

Don't know your OS but there should be an equivelant on every OS.

Here are a couple of links about it and you may want to do some more research;

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file


Essentially, within this file, you define the website you want to define with the IP address of 127.0.0.1

That is the local "loopback" address for your machine and will prevent those websites from loading.

[ET Awful]

4. Yup, that was going to be my suggestion :) n/t

[npincus]

5. that sounds great- I have Windows XP.

I'll try this... I am a techno-boob and may return with questions!

thanks so much all.

[npincus]

6. HELP- I found the "Hosts" file

what program should I use to open it for editing? I'm being prompted to selct the program to open.

THANK YOU.

[DS1]

7. notepad will be fine

there will be examples inside

[npincus]

8. thanks- and when I'm done, just "Save"

- will it automatically save as the proper file type? Or will it just save it as text tile?

Sorry, I am out of my depth.

[DS1]

9. I'd use Control-S

that way it'll save as is

[npincus]

10. added entry... didn't work, do I need to reboot system?

thanks

[DS1]

11. it'll help

[npincus]

12. thank you- that worked!