There are various reasons why you would want to block websites. They could host inappropriate content, be a known website that hackers use to gain unauthorized access to your computer, or you do not want a specific website to be accessible to the users who use your network.
Protect yourself, your family, and your company today.
Table of Contents
How To Block Websites On Chrome
Blocking websites on Chrome’s web version is pretty straightforward. Google has dedicated many hours and engineers to creating an easy-to-use interface that allows anyone to block websites as they see fit.
Following these six steps, you will acquire everything you need to know about blocking sites on Google Chrome’s web version.
Step 1. Sign Into Google Admin Console
The first step is to sign into Google’s “Admin console.” Google’s admin console is where you manage Google services. This console has more features than your regular Google account and is often reserved for more tech-savvy internet users.
Note: If you have not yet added your account to Google’s admin console, you will need to do that first before you can access, or change, any of the admin settings.
Step 2. Access Device Settings
The second step is to access the device settings from Google Chrome.
You can find these settings on the Admin console home page under the devices tab, then click on Chrome.
Step 3. Access User And Browser Settings
The third step is to access the user and browser settings.
After you have accessed the Chrome settings under the devices tab, you need to select the “User & browsers” settings.
Step 4. Define Who Has Access
The fourth step is deciding if you wish to apply a blanket ban to all users on your network.
You need to leave the “top organizational unit” selected if you want to restrict all users on your network from accessing any of the URLs in your block list.
If you would like to only restrict certain users on your network from accessing URLs on your block list, you need to select and define an “organizational unit.”
Step 5. Define URLs You Want To Block
The fifth step is to define which URLs you want to block. To do this, you need to scroll down to the “URL Blocking” section and enter the URLs you wish to block.
If you are unaware of which websites to restrict, here is a handy list of inappropriate websites for children. If you do not have children but want to ensure you are more productive at work, consider blocking these websites to keep you focused.
Note: there is also a section titled “Blocked URL expectations” – this section deals with the URLs you want to allow specifically.
Step 6. Save Your Settings
The final step is to keep your settings. If you do not save your settings and close the admin console, all your listed URLs will be discarded.
You must click the “Save” button after listing all the undesirable websites in the “URL Blocking” section.
How To Unblock Websites On Chrome
There could be valid reasons to unblock websites you had previously restricted.
Your children might have grown up and moved out, you have completed that urgent project and once again have time to relax with streaming websites, or you just decided that the websites you have blocked in the past no longer need to be restricted.
To unblock websites on Chrome, follow the same steps as previously discussed and scroll down to the “URL Blocking” section again, then remove the websites you have listed or remove the “Organizational unit” you have restricted.
When You Should And Should Not Block Websites
You can use Google Chrome’s blocklist and allowlist to manage the URLs that can and can not be accessed. Using the block and allow lists, you can filter your online browsing experience and use content-specific filtering to make for a more enjoyable experience.
Using the URL management tools Google provides, you can:
1. Prevent the internet users on your network from visiting certain websites without limiting access to the rest of the internet.
2. Instruct Chrome which applications and third-party protocols to open automatically.
3. Prevent users on your network from accessing any website on the internet except the few URLs that you have approved. Doing so might seem odd to the average web user, but for businesses, this restricts workers to only using company-appropriate websites.
Note: You might find errors in your block and allow list if you block an entire site but allow a particular page to be accessible. Doing this could lead users on your network to retain access to the rest of the blocked website.
Do I Need A Website Blocker As An Adult?
The answer to this question is more nuanced than it appears. Ask yourself a couple of questions to help determine if you should consider adding a Website blocker to help stem your online habits.
- Do I easily get distracted during working hours?
- Do I have an addictive personality?
- Do I have enough self-control to stay on task?
- Do I have an urgent deadline that, if missed, would be detrimental to my career?
- Is it necessary for me to have access to these websites?
Take your time to think about these questions and decide if adding a website blocker would benefit you.
FAQs
Can I Block A Website Temporarily?
Yes, you can. You can do it manually by following the steps above, and once the period is over, you can delete the URLs you’ve listed. Alternatively, you can install a Chrome browser extension to help automate this process. We recommend using the extension blocksite.co to help you avoid distractions.
How Do Website Blockers Function?
Website blockers interrupt website traffic flow by comparing the URL to a list of filters. Website blockers function by a set of “if, then” rules. For example: If you define a website that you want to be blocked and then try to access that website, the website blocker will execute the “then” rule. The “then” rule prevents the web browser from loading the blocker URL.
Why Do Schools Block Websites?
Each nation has its own set of rules and regulations surrounding access to information inside schools. As adults, we all understand how dangerous some of the material posted online can be. If a child were exposed to harmful websites, the school would be liable for the damages caused, and someone would probably lose their job.
Why Do Companies Block Websites?
The main reason companies block websites is to increase worker productivity and server security. Giving staff access to potentially dangerous websites could leave the company vulnerable to hacking attempts that jeopardize the security of the users using the company’s services.