How to Block Web Sites Using Notepad
By Jason Artman
Parents have a very difficult job when it comes to protecting their children from dangerous sites on the Internet. Although there are several ways to prevent harmful websites from being visited, many of these methods are easily circumvented with a little research. However, there is one way to block websites on a computer that many children may be unaware of, and the only program required to implement this method already exists on your computer.
Instructions
1
Launch Notepad, and type a line containing the number string “127.0.0.1″ followed by a space and the name of the website that you wish to block. For example, a completed line might look like “127.0.0.1 www.example.com.”
2
Hit “Enter” to drop to the next line in the file, and repeat Step 1 for each website that you wish to block, using the same number string next to the name of each website.
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3
Click “File” at the top of the Notepad window, then click “Save As.” Name the file “HOSTS” and save it to your desktop.
4
Click the “Start” button, then click “Computer” in Windows Vista and 7 or “My Computer” in Windows XP.
5
Click “Organize,” then click “Folder and Search Options” in Windows Vista and 7. In Windows XP, click “Tools,” then click “Folder Options.”
6
Click the “View” tab. Remove the check from the box labeled “Hide Extensions for Known File Types” and click “OK.”
7
Minimize the “Computer” or “My Computer” window and return to your desktop. You should now see that the HOSTS file is named “HOSTS.txt.” Right-click on the file, and click “Rename.” Change the name of the file to “HOSTS” with no file extension. Click “Yes” to confirm the change.
8
Right-click on “HOSTS” and click “Cut.” Return to the “Computer” or “My Computer” window and browse to “C:,” “Windows,” “system32,” “Drivers” and “Etc.”
9
Right-click in an open area of the Explorer window and click “Paste.” Confirm that you wish to overwrite the existing file by clicking “Yes.”
10
Restart the computer. After Windows reloads, the websites that you listed in the HOSTS file will be blocked.
