4 best ways to block websites on Android 2023.
A few days ago we wrote an article on how to block porn on your Android. But there are times when websites are often infamous for showing inappropriate content, pop-up ads, video ads. There are suspicious websites that show you fake viruses and data theft pop-ups. Well, it’s best to stay away from such sites, and the best thing you can do is block them. So here are 4 different ways to block websites on Android. Top advertisements
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4 best ways to block websites on Android 2020
How to block websites on Android
1. The method of the host file
One of the easiest ways to block a website on Android initially is to modify the host file. All you have to do is redirect the website domain name to the localhost IP address. However, editing host files requires a rooted Android device. That being said, there are applications like DNS66 and several other host file editors. These apps create a local VPN with their own host file and redirect all traffic through it.
We can use these apps and block any website we want. For this demo, I will be using DNS66, but the steps for other applications will be similar. First, download and install DNS66 from F-Droid. DNS66 is not available on the Play Store because it contains files that may block ads that are against Google’s policy. However, F-Droid is a safe source and DNS66 is also an open-source application.
After installing DNS66, open the application, and go to the Hosts tab. Click on the floating Add icon that appears in the lower right corner.
On the add record page, enter the name, website address, and action as Deny. Click on the checkmark in the upper right corner to save your changes.
Once you’ve added entries, this is how it looks in the Hosts tab.
Now go to the “Start” tab and click the “Start” button.
If you receive a message similar to the one below, click on the “No” option. This message appears because the host files have not been downloaded and are not available for the DNS66 application. Then click the update icon in the upper right corner to download the host’s file.
After updating, try clicking the Start button again. You should see the message “Request to connect”, click “OK” to continue. This will enable local VPN from DNS66.
Now that you’ve enabled your local VPN, you should see an entry in the notification bar. It should look like this.
This is it. From now on, no one will be able to access the added website while the local VPN DNS66 is running. For more reliability, switch the “Watch Connection” option on the “Start” tab. This ensures that the connection and VPN are up and running.
Note. DNS66 does not work if you are connected via Wi-Fi or are on an office network. Router settings take priority over DNS66 settings.
If you don’t want other users to access and change the DNS66 settings, you can hide the application. Here is our detailed article on how to hide apps on Android.
2. Use a dedicated browser
Alternatively, you can also block websites in your browser. If you just want to block adult and pornographic sites, then you can use a browser like Safe Browser. To block a specific website, you can use the good old Firefox for Android web browser. If you are using Google Chrome, your mobile device has no internal settings to block websites. Even Firefox for Android doesn’t support blocking websites by default. But you can install a website blocking add-on, which is a fairly straightforward process.
First, download and install Firefox if you haven’t already. After installation, enter “about addons” in the address bar and click the “Go” button.
Alternatively, you can also open the add-ons page by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner. Click “Add-ons” in the Advanced Settings drop-down menu.
Once you’re on the add-ons page, click on the “View all Firefox add-ons” option.
Find the “Block Site” add-on here. Below is the addition we’re looking for. Once you’ve found it, click on the Add to Firefox button.
. Firefox will ask you for confirmation to install the add-on. Just click the “Yes” button to continue.
Now go back to the add-ons page in Firefox and click on the newly installed “Block Site” add-on. You will be taken to the site-blocking settings page.
Here, enter the URL you want to block under “Add domains to blacklist manually”. Once you’re done, click on the add button. For demonstration purposes, I have blocked abc.go.com.
Now, after adding the entry, it should be displayed in the “List of Blocked Domains” section.
This is it. From now on, the user cannot access the website you just added to the Firefox browser.
Play around with the different options in the add-on, as it even allows you to set a schedule to automatically block and unblock websites. If necessary, you can also password protect the add-in settings to prevent any unauthorized changes.
3. Use a firewall
The problem with all the previous methods is that they don’t work when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. To block any website of your choice, even if you are connected to Wi-Fi, you need to use a firewall. The advantage of using a firewall is that it also allows you to control which applications can and cannot access the Internet. In fact, you can even configure the app so that the apps can only connect to the internet via Wi-Fi and/or mobile data connection.
To get started, download and install the NoRoot Firewall app from the Play Store. After installation, open the application and go to the “Global Filters” tab. The tab is almost at the end, so don’t worry if you don’t see the tab right away. When you go to the Global Filters tab, click on New Prefilter.
Now enter the domain name with HTTP or HTTPS in front of the domain name in the Address field, select * from the drop-down menu in the Port field. Check the boxes next to the Wi-Fi icon and the data signal icon until you see red crosses. Click the OK button to save your changes.
Once you save your changes, an entry will appear in the Prefilters section.
Now go back to the main tab “Home” and click the “Start” button. This will launch a local VPN.
This is it. From now on, you or any application installed on your device cannot access the website that you blocked with the NoRoot firewall.
4. Use an anti-virus application
You can also block any site of your choice, and even site category filters related to gambling, pornography, adult content, and more, with Trend Micro’s antivirus apps. In addition, Trend Micro also provides powerful parental control capabilities to control access to your device.
If you are looking for an app that not only blocks selective and malicious websites but also allows you to properly manage your device with good parental controls, Trend Micro should be a try. However, the app is subscription-based. There is a free seven-day trial of the app. So, follow the tutorial below, try the app, and see if it suits your needs.
To get started, download and install the Trend Micro Mobile Security & Antivirus app from the Play Store.
Open the app and tap on the “Parental Controls” option.
Now click on the warning message and grant the permissions the app asks for. These permissions are required for the application to function properly.
You will be prompted to sign in to your Trend Micro account. You also need to use parental control options. Click on the Sign In Now button.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the registration process.
After you finish registering, go to the “Website Filter” tab. In Parental Controls and turn on the radio button next to “Filter Websites”.
Now click on the “Blocked List” option.
Then enter the name and URL of the website you want to block and click the Add button.
That’s all there is to it. From now on, the website is not available on your device. When you want to change or remove a website from the parental control section, you will be prompted for your account password. Without a password, you cannot edit the filter link.
Packaging
Browser add-ons and host file editing methods work when you are connected via a mobile network. If you primarily access the Internet over a cellular network, I recommend that you try these options. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, you should try a full-fledged firewall or antivirus app.
That’s all for now, I hope this helps. Comment below, share your thoughts and experiences on using the above website blocking apps on Android.
4 best ways to block websites on Android 2020
4 best ways to block websites on Android 2020.
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