Mastering Internet Control: How to Block Specific Websites Effectively

For a start, the biggest assumption most people make is that the browser is the problem.

Not so.

People start with Chrome extensions because that's what Google wants you to use. And if all you want is to stop being distracted all the time, then that's probably fine. You block a few sites. Limit your time on others. And hey, it all works - until you get fed up and turn it off.

But in an organisation? Someone disables the extension. Someone else decides to switch browsers. And suddenly rules no longer apply when people work remotely, and before long nobody even knows this is happening until the money starts running dry or security incidents start occurring.

Then IT and admin console rules. URL policies. Managed browsers. It helps, but barely. As soon as someone steps outside that very specific box, all the control just melts away like sand in the rain. Different browsers. Different devices. Different network. Same old internet, no rules to stop you getting into trouble.

But then there's mobile devices and Android and all. You can block whole categories. Filter the DNS. Or install some enterprise controls. But before you know it, a single VPN app can undo half of your good work without anyone even noticing, even if it's not deliberate. Sometimes it's even just because someone wants to test their privacy settings for a bit.

Network level blocking sounds good because it gives you that authoritative 'one rule to rule them all' vibe. Works great in offices. Schools. Places with shared Wi-Fi. But let's face facts. Laptops and phones and home Wi-Fis all have different owners now.

And when it comes to it, you're still making it all up as you go along. You know something got blocked, but you have no idea who or why or how many times.

Windows and macs bring things back down to earth. You can edit hosts files and it works for a bit - like duct tape. Briefly, if no one disturbs it. And that's about as useful as it gets. No one seriously relies on it any more, even if they do remember how.

So what actually works in practice?This is why endpoint-focused platforms like CurrentWare exist at all. It's because everything else just breaks when users

try and tiptoe around things. Sometimes on purpose. Sometimes by accident. VPNs. Proxies. Browsers in a box. Half a dozen random tools downloaded for that one thing that needed fixing in a hurry, none of this is hypothetical, it's day to day.

 

Blocking Websites on Google Chrome

To block a website on Google Chrome, users can install browser extensions from the Chrome Web Store, such as BlockSite or StayFocusd. These extensions allow users to block specific websites, set time limits, and customize their blocking settings for better control.

Users can also use the Google Admin Console to block websites on Chrome, providing a more centralized approach to website blocking. By blocking websites on Chrome, users can improve their productivity and online safety, reducing the risk of accessing unwanted websites.

Blocking Websites Using Google Admin Console

As a Chrome Enterprise admin you can block and allow URLs so that users can only visit certain websites. For the most up-to-date instructions, visit this Chrome help article.

The Google Admin Console provides a centralized platform for blocking websites on Chrome, allowing administrators to set policies and restrictions. Users can block specific websites, set URL exceptions, and customize their blocking settings using the Admin Console.

This method is ideal for organizations and businesses looking to control website access on their network, providing a more centralized approach to website blocking. By using the Admin Console, administrators can ensure a safer online environment for their users, supporting online safety and robust protection.

1. Sign in with an administrator account to the Google Admin console.
   If you aren’t using an administrator account, you can’t access the Admin console.
2. Go to Menu  Devices > Chrome > Settings. The User & browser settings page opens by default.
   Requires having the Mobile Device Management administrator privilege.
   If you signed up for Chrome Enterprise Core, go to Menu  Chrome browser > Settings.
3. (Optional) To apply the setting only to some users and enrolled browsers, at the side, select an organizational unit (often used for departments) or configuration group (advanced). Group settings override organizational units. Learn more
4. Go to Content.
5. Click URL Blocking and enter URLs as needed:
   • Blocked URLs—URLs that you want to prevent users from accessing.
     For syntax and examples, see Users & browsers > URL blocklist.
   • Blocked URL exceptions—URLs that you want to allow users to access (allowlist). Access is allowed even if the URLs are also defined in Blocked URLs.
     For syntax and examples, see Users & browsers > URL blocklist exceptions.
6. You can block and allow up to 1,000 URLs.
7. Click Save. Or, you might click Override for an organizational unit .
   To later restore the inherited value, click Inherit (or Unset for a group).

After you apply any Chrome policies, users need to restart Chrome browser for the settings to take effect. You can check users’ devices to make sure the policy was applied correctly.

1. On a managed device, go to chrome://policy.
2. Click Reload policies.
3. For URLBlocklist and URLAllowlist, make sure Status is set to OK.
4. For URLBlocklist and URLAllowlist, click Show value and make sure that the value fields are the same as what you set in the policy.

Also Read: Leading Employee Monitoring Software to Protect & Optimize Teams

Blocking Websites on Android Devices

Android users can block websites using third-party apps or by modifying the hosts file, providing a flexible approach to website blocking. Microsoft Family Safety and other web filtering apps offer features to block specific websites, restrict access to adult content, and set screen time limits.

Users can also use the DNS server settings on their Android device to block websites, providing a more technical approach to website blocking. By blocking websites on Android devices, users can protect their devices and ensure a safer online environment, supporting online safety and robust protection.

How to use DNS Server Settings on Android Device To Block Websites

On most modern Android devices (Android 9 and newer):

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet (or Connections on Samsung).
3. Tap Private DNS.
4. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
5. Enter the hostname of a filtering DNS service (examples below).
6. Tap Save or OK.

Once set, all network traffic from that device will pass through the filtered DNS and matching sites will be blocked

Example DNS hostnames to block sites

Here are commonly used DNS hostnames you can paste into Private DNS provider hostname:

• CleanBrowsing – Family Filter (blocks adult content, mixed-content sites like Reddit, VPN/proxy sites, and malicious domains): family-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org
• CleanBrowsing – Adult Filter (blocks adult content and malicious domains): adult-filter-dns.cleanbrowsing.org
• Cloudflare Family DNS (blocks adult content and malware): family.cloudflare-dns.com

 

Also Read: Software License Optimization to Save Money & Stay Compliant

Network-Level Blocking

Network-level blocking involves blocking websites at the router level, affecting all devices connected to the network. This method provides a more comprehensive approach to website blocking, covering all devices and browsers.

Users can configure their router’s settings to block specific websites, set up DNS filtering, or use a third-party service for content filtering. By blocking websites at the network level, users can ensure a safer online environment for all devices connected to the network, supporting access control and content restrictions.

Windows System-Wide Blocking

Windows users can block websites system-wide by editing the hosts file or using third-party software. This method affects all browsers and devices on the Windows system, providing a more comprehensive approach to website blocking.

By blocking websites system-wide on Windows, users can ensure a safer online environment for all devices and browsers, supporting access control and content restrictions.

Blocking Websites on macOS

macOS users can block websites using the Screen Time feature, which allows parents to restrict access to specific websites and set screen time limits. Users can also modify the hosts file or use third-party apps to block websites on macOS, providing a flexible approach to website blocking.

By blocking websites on macOS, users can improve their productivity, reduce distractions, and ensure a safer online environment, supporting online safety and robust protection.

Screen Time Feature

macOS users can block websites using the built-in Screen Time feature, which offers options to limit adult content, block specific sites, or allow only approved ones. This works primarily in Safari and applies to user accounts with restrictions enabled.

Enable Screen Time restrictions

Open System Settings (Apple menu → System Settings).
Select Screen Time in the sidebar, then choose Content & Privacy (or Content & Privacy Restrictions).
Turn on Content & Privacy and set a Screen Time passcode to prevent changes.

Block websites (Limit Adult + Custom)

Click Web Content (or App Store, Media, Web, & Games → Access to Web Content).
Choose Limit Adult Websites to auto-block most inappropriate sites.
Click Customize → Never Allow (or Restricted) → + to add specific URLs like "example.com".

Allow only specific websites (whitelist)

Under Web Content, select Allowed Websites Only → Customize.
Add approved sites (e.g., "google.com") to the Always Allow list.
All other sites will be blocked by default.

Additional tips

• These restrictions apply to the selected user account; use Family Sharing or child accounts for parental controls.
• Screen Time primarily affects Safari; for other browsers like Chrome, consider third-party blockers or extensions.
• To monitor usage, check Screen Time reports for app/website activity.

Also Read: Insider Threat Detection Software for Monitoring & Prevention

SafeSearch and Content Filtering

SafeSearch is a feature that filters out explicit content from search results, providing a safer online environment for users. Content filtering involves blocking specific websites or types of content, such as adult websites or violent content.

Users can enable SafeSearch and content filtering on their devices or browsers to restrict access to inappropriate content, supporting online safety and robust protection. By using SafeSearch and content filtering, users can improve their online safety and reduce the risk of accessing unwanted websites.

Also Read: Remote Employee Management Software | Monitor & Optimize Teams

Enable SafeSearch in Chrome settings

Open Chrome and go to Settings → Privacy and security → Safe Browsing.
Select Enhanced or Standard protection, then visit google.com/safesearch and toggle SafeSearch on.
Click Lock and sign in with a Google account to restrict changes

Single layer blocking doesn't work. Browser-only controls fail. Network-only controls fail. And policy only controls only work when you've got someone to enforce it. SafeSearch is a good example. Filters the search results. That's it. Doesn't block URLs. Doesn't stop people going direct.

And another thing people really underestimate is maintenance. Block lists have a very short shelf life. Sites go and change. New tools come along. What was important last quarter might be a non-issue now. And if no one goes back to see how it's all working out, you're not controlling access at all, you're just carrying old ideas forward.

Where BrowseControl Fits (And Why Admins Actually Care)

BrowseControl isn’t about adding “yet another way” to block websites. It exists to solve the gaps admins repeatedly hit:

• Policy enforcement at the device level, regardless of browser or network
  
  
• Consistent rules across Windows and macOS endpoints
  
  
• User level and group based controls that actually follow the user
  
  
• Visibility into who accessed what, when, and how often
  

From an admin standpoint, this matters because now you can:

• Block categories or specific URLs without relying on browser compliance
  
  
• Detect negative browsing trends early instead of after the damage
  
  
• Prove that controls are enforced, not just configured
  
  

Real World Impact: Shady Maple Case Study

For operations, heavy environments, visibility matters just as much as restriction.

Shady Maple Farm Market used BrowseControl to identify and stop negative browsing behavior quickly, before it became systemic.

“Being able to identify negative browsing trends and put a stop to them within a couple of hours has meant that our employees are focused on the job almost all of the time. We have become an extremely efficient workforce.”
Shady Maple Operations Team

From an admin lens, the value wasn’t just blocking access, it was knowing where intervention was actually needed.

https://www.currentware.com/customers/shady-maple-farm-market/

The honest truth is blocking websites isn't really about blocking websites.

It's about intent.

Who should be able to access what, from where, and under what circumstances and actually, can you prove that you are controlling this at all?

The quick fixes are fine, because the stakes are low. But when it comes to productivity, security and compliance? Half measures just get you by until you finally do come to terms with the fact that they never were enough.