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Software for blocking websites

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Hi all,

I have a 17 year old daughter who used to download music but now in the current climate I have told her not too.

However just to be on the safe side and ward off temptation, I'd like to know if there's any free software which will do this for me. i.e. I enter the URL and the site is blocked. I need this to work on XP and Vista and on all browsers not just IE.

Before you say use your router to do this I have a Belkin and it's a subscription service :confused:

Many Thanks
«13

Comments

  • BritBrat
    BritBrat Posts: 3,764 Forumite
    If you have a router you could set up a block in there.

    You could also edit your host file and place the address in that.
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
    # Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
    #
    # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
    #
    # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
    # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
    # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
    # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
    # space.
    #
    # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
    # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
    #
    # For example:
    #
    #      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
    #       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host
    127.0.0.1       localhost
     
    127.0.0.1 http://moneysavingexpert.com
    

    (Would block this site)

    Or you could even use OpenDNS or even all three together.
    http://www.opendns.com

    Try openDNS first, you have to register but it is free.

    What is the site you are trying to block?
  • d900
    d900 Posts: 295 Forumite
    she probably downloads the music through some peer to peer software not a website.

    what you could do is uninstall the software and maybe set up a user for her on the computer that does not have the right to install software and only you (as admin) can
    ive never used a free website blocking program but google gives me plenty of results so i suggets you download a few and see if they work as you wish.
    The orginal post in this thread has a very very slim chance of being about money saving. The post is more than likely to ask a question that google could answer better than any of us.
  • robpw2
    robpw2 Posts: 14,044 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    you need to turn off port forwarding on the router


    Slimming world start 28/01/2012 starting weight 21st 2.5lb current weight 17st 9-total loss 3st 7.5lb
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  • Marty_J
    Marty_J Posts: 6,594 Forumite
    Some sort of parental control software perhaps?
  • iviv
    iviv Posts: 572 Forumite
    robpw2 wrote: »
    you need to turn off port forwarding on the router

    Depends on what program she uses. Torrents can function with forwarding off, albeit at reduced speeds. However, she'd have to get the torrents from somewhere. A quick history check should reveal the sites, then block them.
  • timbim_2
    timbim_2 Posts: 1,292 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Blocking websites only turns into an arms race. There is an endless supply of proxies, and they will defeat even the best "Surf Control" apps.
    Ubuntu is an ancient African word, meaning: 'I can't configure Debian'.
  • bazzlad
    bazzlad Posts: 144 Forumite
    You're lucky I'm not your daughter (for many reasons) - if she's anything like I was at her age, you start blocking her sites and you may find yourself unable to visit anything or access your computer ..... if she knows what she's doing on a PC I'd strongly recommend not starting a war in which you may not be equipped to win!

    Aim - Debt free by 2009!


    Aim Complete!
  • Cranky
    Cranky Posts: 84 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Hi

    thanks for all the quick replies - she dosen't use peer to peer as she dosen't know how too, - she has found a couple of sites whereyou can just download mp3's (chart ones) like normal files.

    I don't want to mention the sites in question.

    BritBrat - I'm gonna try your suggestion.

    Any other suggestions?
  • CLLC
    CLLC Posts: 1,041 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Well i know if your using Vista then go to control panel and click parental controls.

    There should then be an option where you can limit what content is viewed on the computer and not the specific browser. I think you may also be able to block specific sites

    Hope this helps :)
    :dance: I am great , yes I am :dance:
    :rotfl:
    :D If you think I was useful , Thank you, for thanking me :D
  • BritBrat
    BritBrat Posts: 3,764 Forumite
    If you use OpenDNS you will have to change the router settings for their DNS and if you have the router password protected she will not be able to change it back.

    DNS Setting:
    208.67.222.222 OR 208.67.220.220.

    This is one of the settings pages:

    OpenDNS.jpg
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