Whether the app has inappropriate content or you just find it annoying, there’s always a reason to block a site. The good news is that popular browsers such as Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Chrome have that covered.
Each browser allows you to block as many sites as you want. It’s a beginner-friendly process that will get the job done in no time. The steps may vary a bit from browser to browser, but they shouldn’t differ too much.
How to Block a Site in Chrome
A popular extension in Chrome to block any site is Block Site. The extension is free, with the option to upgrade to a paid account. If you decide to upgrade you get premium features such as:
- Block in bulk with categories
- Customize your block page (Choose your own images and text)
- Sync between extensions
But, you still get some excellent features with the free account, and it still gets the blocking job done. You can block sites permanently or for a specific amount of time. To block sites permanently or by schedule, go to the extensions Block Site section.
Enter the addy of the site you want to block and click on the plus sign to add it to the blocked list. If you click on the Whitelist mode option, you’ll block all sites except the ones you’ve whitelisted.
To remove a site from the block list, click on the remove option; that’s the red circle. If you already have a block list of your own, click on the arrow pointing up to import your list.
By clicking on the Re-direct option, you can be re-directed to another site. Just add the URL of the alternative site and click on the green OK button.
How to Set up a Site Blocking Schedule
The schedule option allows you to block sites on a schedule. All you need to do is add the time and choose the date you want to block the sites. But, if you wish to access specific sites when it’s lunchtime, click on the Add interval option, and add the time.
With Work Mode, only sites you need to access for work will be available. Just add the sites you want to block and start the work timer. Open the extension menu > Click on the Work Mode tab > Click on Start.
In the Password Protection tab, you can add a password to the extension’s options/Chrome extension page To all blocked sites, and there’s an option to get notified by email if the extension is uninstalled.
Finally, you can block sites based on words. Type the words the extension needs to look for and click on the plus option.
How to Block Any Site in Opera
The Block Site add-on is also available for Opera. It has the same layout as it does in Firefox. If you want to pin the add-add to make it visible, you’ll need to do that manually.
How to Block Any Site in Firefox
To restrict access to a specific site in Firefox, you’re going to need an add-on called Block Site. The add-on is straightforward to use and has options when it comes to customizing how you want it to work.
To block a site, go to the website you want to block and click on the add-on icon. You’ll see a messaging asking you if you’re sure that you want to block the site. Click OK, and the add-on will add that site to the list.
To unblock the site, it’ll ask you to enter a master password at the bottom. Since it’s going to be your first time using the add-on, you’ll need to create a master password.
To create the master password, click on the Option Page link at the bottom right of the page you just blocked.
Once the Options Page opens, scroll all the way down to the Tools section and create your master password. The password won’t be visible, and even if you erase after clicking on the Save button, the add-on will still accept the password.
In the Options Page, you’ll also see options such as:
- Allow temporary access to blocked sites.
- Re-direct blocked page to
- Create a user message that’ll be shown on the blocked page
- Custom CSS
- Import Rules
- Backup and restore
There’s also an option at the top right of the blocked page to switch from dark and light mode.
Conclusion
Hopefully, soon, all major browsers will add an integrated way to block sites without having to turn to add-ons. How many sites do you think you’ll be blocking?
9thwonder says
How do you stop a child from simply unistalling that extension?