How to Block Websites on Safari: 5 Easy Steps

September 12, 2024 By Johan Curtis No Comments 7 minutes

Wondering how to block websites on Safari mid-way through your browsing journey? Your browsing experience could be cut short to frustration whenever an unsolicited ad pops up on your screen. If you are also worried about your kid’s well-being and upbringing in the right direction, this blog is the place for you.

How to Block Websites on Safari

NOTE: There are over 1 billion websites on the internet, with 3 websites being created every minute. While most websites are created to help the audience, some operate in the gray area. The content on these websites is age-restricted and must be blacked out from seeing for your kids/employees. A premium FastestVPN subscription helps block these websites automatically, protecting your device from malware and your data from stealing!

Learn how to block a website on Safari on your iOS and macOS devices in detail.

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How to Block Websites On Safari

According to Siteefy, there are around 1.1 billion websites in the world right now. With more than 18% of these websites actively maintained, some of these have to be avoided at all costs for their content. These upcoming sections will cover how you can easily block unsolicited websites on Safari.

1. By Using The Screen Time Feature

The first and foremost method that you can take advantage of is the Screen Time feature on both macOS and iOS. Follow these steps and learn how to block sites on Safari:

In iOS: iPhone & iPad

Are you wondering how to block websites on Safari iPhone? Here’s how:

Open your phone and go to the Settings.
Tap Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Using the toggle switch, enable Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Now, press Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites or Specific Websites Only.
For Limit Adult Websites: blocks adult websites automatically.
Navigate Never Allow > tap Add Website.
Enter the URL of the website(s) you want to block.
For Specific Websites Only: blocks the entered website.
Save the settings.

On macOS

Click on the Apple menu and select System Settings.
Click on Screen Time.
Navigate Content & Privacy on the left and click on it.
Tap on Web Content > Limit Adult Websites or Specific Websites Only.
For Limit Adult Websites: blocks adult websites automatically.
Navigate Never Allow > tap Add Website.
Enter the URL of the website(s) you want to block.
For Specific Websites Only: blocks the entered website.
Save the settings.

2. Block Website On Safari With Third-Party Apps / Extensions

If you can not block websites on Safari with built-in options and strategies, you can use third-party apps.

Here’s how to get BlockSite on your browser:

Add the BlockSite extension to your browser.
Create an account and log in after completing the payment.
You can skip to the free trial.
Enter the name of the website you wish to block in the Add to Blocklist tab.
Or, you can choose from a category you wish to block the website of.
You can block a website temporarily as well as permanently.
Repeat the process for other websites you wish to block.

Some of the best third-party addons and apps include:

BlockSite
Freedom
1Blocker
WasteNoTime
Cold Turkey
AppBlock
Filter

3. Using Parental Control Software

Parental control software is another way you can manage the content your kid sees. In this manner, your kid won’t feel like he is being controlled as you won’t be taking their devices to install website-blocking apps, etc., rather using a software that runs from your device and monitors what they must and must not access.

Furthermore, you can download a premium VPN or iOS on their iPhone or iPad and limit what they see.

4. With Your Broadband Router Settings

Compared to the other methods on how to block a page on Safari, this one’s a bit more advanced. However, if you are a business owner who is very critical of your organization’s infrastructure, this could be the best method for you.

Here’s how you can block a website through your broadband’s advanced settings:

Check the back of your router or the box in which the device came.
Type in the IP address (usually 192.168.0.0 or something similar).
Once you are on the main screen, enter the credentials (login ID name and password). It is mostly available on the back of your router. If not, contact your ISP.
Once you log in, search for the three lines or menu.
Go to Settings or, in most cases, Advanced Settings.
Once you find an option that says something like block websites, continue to that screen and carry out the on-screen process.

5. Blocking Websites with the Hosts File

The most advanced method to block a website on Safari on your macOS is through the hosts file. It involves a bit of technical understanding, but don’t worry if it’s your first time on a Mac. Follow the steps as they are mentioned:

Launch the Terminal app by using the shortcut Command + Space > Terminal or by clicking on the Applications > Utilities folder.
Enter the command sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Return.
Open the file as an administrator. Enter your password.
Wait for the hosts file to open.
Once it is opened, go to the bottom of the hosts file, navigating with your keyboard’s arrow keys.
Now, type 127.0.0.1.
Next, enter the URL of the website you wish to block next to this code.
Press Return.
Press Command + O and save the file > Close the editor with Command + X.
Now, you must flush the DNS cache.
Type the command sudo dscacheutil -flushcache in the Terminal window and hit Return.
The changes will be automatically saved.

Why Do You Need To Block Websites On Safari?

Blocking particular websites could have a lot of reasons. Here are some of the most prominent reasons one must to do so:

For Parental Control: To safeguard your child from accessing unsolicited websites, you must block inappropriate and adult content containing websites.
Increased Productivity: Companies and employers block websites such as entertainment websites and social media platforms to maximize the employee’s productivity.
Protection against Malware and Snoopers: Third-party websites display unsolicited ads that carry malware. Even if you accidentally click on a pop-up, it may pose some serious risk. It could introduce malware to your device, steal your data, eat up your important files, etc. So, when you block these websites, you automatically eliminate the chances of such stuff happening.
Privacy and Security Measures: When you block shady websites, you are already going on the right track to ensure your privacy.

Is it Possible to Block Websites on Safari?

Yes, It is possible to block websites on Safari. Business owners follow this strategy to get the best out of their employees without their attention being diverted. Similarly, parents who are worried about their child’s upbringing do the same procedure so the child has limited access to websites on the internet.

Conclusion

In this blog, you learn how to block website on Safari in detail. Parents, business owners, internet anonymity enthusiasts, and others always want the best for them. By blocking unsolicited websites, you not only safeguard your children’s well-being or your workplace’s set-up, but you also protect yourself from malicious attempts by online hackers. To add a double layer of security to your online experience, get a premium VPN subscription at FastestVPN. Achieve complete anonymity and save yourself from malware-containing websites and pop-ups with the best built-in protocols the VPN offers!