Blocking A Website

shaz77_2

Hi All,

I've just become aware that a younger family member has been using the family PC to complete online gambling. There is one site he is on that he says he is hooked on and cannot help himself; is there anyway to block this site on the family PC? He is fairly computer literate but any steps that could be taken at all would be beneficial.

Thanks in advance.

tombruton87

set a password for your router and block it via that

Benet

It's possible to block the site using methods like changing your host file, or blocking it via your router as tombruton87 suggests, I think that it would be a short term fix.

If he's got a problem, he'll just move onto another site. It might be worthwhile looking into getting him help, be it from gambler's anonymous or taking the step of installing "net nanny" style software to block all gambling sites. Though you do mention he's computer literate, so that again would be a short term fix if he know's what he's doing. Getting him help might be your best bet.

WilliamO

You could use OpenDNS to block or filter websites, either by web address or genre (i.e. Gambling). It requires a password and so on, so as long as the family member doesn't know it.....

WilliamO

paddyrg

You need money to gamble - online that means a credit card attached to an over-18 year old. Is he over 18? If not, how is he funding this? That may be the best way to scupper things - cut up the card and advise the bank you're closing the account etc.

arrallas

+1 for OpenDNS

shaz77_2

tombruton87 wrote: »

set a password for your router and block it via that

How do I do this?

jaydeeuk1

Are you sure he's 'gambling' and not doing matched betting? If its only small amounts of cash (eg, not a serious problem), tell him to head over to http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Will earn a hell of a lot more cash than by gambling (used to make £1k a month before daughter was born!), and even if he is intent on gambling, it will at least open his eyes to the world of +EV. Ask him to read some of the intro posts - its extremely interesting, might even be something you can both do together (and keep an eye on him too!). Learning curve isn't too great, and the rewards are worth it, if he still thinks gambling is the way forward, by all means limit his access, but if he's determined to do it anyway (via phone, gambling shop etc) he's going to.

shaz77_2

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Are you sure he's 'gambling' and not doing matched betting? If its only small amounts of cash (eg, not a serious problem), tell him to head over to http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Will earn a hell of a lot more cash than by gambling (used to make £1k a month before daughter was born!), and even if he is intent on gambling, it will at least open his eyes to the world of +EV. Ask him to read some of the intro posts - its extremely interesting, might even be something you can both do together (and keep an eye on him too!). Learning curve isn't too great, and the rewards are worth it, if he still thinks gambling is the way forward, by all means limit his access, but if he's determined to do it anyway (via phone, gambling shop etc) he's going to.

He's 18 and lost 2500 thus far since July; he's addicted to one site in particular and if that was blocked it may help things a little.

x1x1

He's 18, surely he has the right to learn this lesson for himself?

shaz77_2

x1x1 wrote: »

He's 18, surely he has the right to learn this lesson for himself?

He's really in the horrors at the moment; he's seeking help but at the moment it's doing him no good having immediate access to this site.