Do You Require A Web Site Filter

This article will help you learn the basic technique of blocking specific websites from being accessed.

Are your children always on My Space. Are there other sites people in your house visit that you wish they would not. There is a simple, easy solution that most people are not aware of. Even many computer technicians would not immediately think to check this. It is the hosts file located in etc folder deep inside the windows folder.

All that is required is to add a line of code to the hosts file with the web address you wish to block and point it to an invalid internet protocol address. Actually it is not required to be invalid, simply different than the correct address that you wish to block. Most people use the loop back address though as opposed to a valid working address.

One major advantage of editing the hosts file to block sites is that it blocks all browsers from accessing the site, not just Internet Explorer. The downside of this is it can easy be reversed just like it was to setup in the first place. A quick search for the correct keywords in a search engine will provide the solution to any teenager with computer experience.

If you ensure your PC is password protected and the other users have no administrative rights to the personal computer, they will be unable to edit the hosts file to reverse the changes. There is also many back doors to sites as well.

Regardless of its imperfections, editing the hosts file is still a handy tool for blocking websites. I have created a point and click instructional video on how to make these changes. The video can be viewed at web site filter

With eight years experience in the field of IT Martin Sandbach has become an expert. Martin also owns the website www.helpviavideo.com. You will find many helpful videos on his site in the field of computers and the internet.