Using hosts file to block sites - user account specific

Discussion in 'Networking and Internet' started by karansaraf, Nov 27, 2011.

  1. karansaraf

    karansaraf VIP Member

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    Is it possible to block websites for only one user of a Windows 7 machine?

    I want to be able to allow my mum to access everything on her account and create a new user account for my little sister with certain sites blocked.

    Don't want to go down the netnanny/filter route because it's only a few specific sites.

    I was hoping there would be a way to do it with the hosts file - is that possible?
     
    karansaraf, Nov 27, 2011
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  2. karansaraf

    Zeus Moderator

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    You should be able to by going to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and using the hosts file.
    The easiest way I see to do it is to list the website that you want blocked and redirect it to another ip.
     
    Zeus, Nov 28, 2011
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  3. karansaraf

    darthweb VIP Member

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    darthweb, Nov 28, 2011
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  4. karansaraf

    Maurice Bloody good bloke VIP Member

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    Problem with the hosts file in c:\windows\systems32\drivers\etc is that it will apply to ALL users.
     
    Maurice, Nov 28, 2011
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  5. karansaraf

    Zeus Moderator

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    Yeah, I was thinking per computer and not per user.

    If you go into the Internet Properties (in the control panel) and go to the privacy tab and block the websites that way, does it block for all users as well?

    The other thing I am thinking is that you may be able to do it Content tab of the Internet properties using the Content Advisor (I am at work at the moment so I can't play with these settings to see).
     
    Zeus, Nov 28, 2011
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  6. karansaraf

    Goober THQ's Jester Moderator

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    I understand that you may not want to go this route, but it's the only option that I can think of to protect the computer from accidental harm she could cause and prevent her from going to just a couple of sites. I feel that your mum could easily adjust the settings as needed too. The great part of Parental Controls is that it integrates so nicely into windows accounts so mum wont even know it's there for herself. Plus it's free.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/parental-controls
     
    Goober, Nov 30, 2011
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  7. karansaraf

    karansaraf VIP Member

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    Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated!
     
    karansaraf, Jan 6, 2012
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