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Blocking guides

How to Block Websites and Apps

Pick the app, site type or device you need to block and follow the guide for your network, firewall, DNS filter or managed devices.

Devices, routers and category blocking

Start here if you want to block sites on one device or for a whole home or office network.

How to block websites by categoryHow category blocking works on routers, firewalls, DNS filters and managed devices, and which categories to block. How to Block Websites on a RouterBlock sites for every device at once with router settings, DNS filtering, schedules and guest Wi-Fi. How to Block Websites on Windows 11Five methods compared: hosts file, family settings, DNS, Group Policy and device management. How to Block Websites on a MacScreen Time, the hosts file, a filtering DNS server or MDM profiles, with the bypass for each. How to Block Websites on iPhone and iPadFour methods from Screen Time limits to encrypted DNS profiles and MDM, with common bypasses. How to Block Websites on AndroidPrivate DNS, family controls, router DNS and Android Enterprise MDM for phones and tablets. How to Block Websites on a Chromebook at HomeFamily controls, owner settings, DNS and router filtering for a home Chromebook, plus guest mode gaps.

AI tools

Block AI chatbots, generators and companion apps one by one or as a whole category.

How to Block AI Chatbots on Your Network, as a CategoryBlock AI chat tools as one category with 18 subcategories and different rules per user group. How to Block ChatGPT on Your NetworkFull and partial ChatGPT blocks for schools and businesses, including approved account exceptions. How to Block DeepSeek on Your Network and DevicesDeepSeek domains, the 2025 government device bans and steps for networks and managed devices. How to Block Character.AI and AI Companion AppsBlock AI companion and roleplay chat apps on school, family and business networks. How to Block AI Image Generators on Your NetworkDeepfake risks, known image generator domains and how to block them on school and work networks. How to block AI music and voice generators on your networkBlock AI song makers, text to speech and voice cloning tools, and handle bypass attempts.

Social media and messaging

Guides for single platforms plus a policy guide for social media at work.

How to block social media at workA policy first approach: an access ladder from read only to full block, roles and time windows. How to Block Facebook on Your NetworkA decision tree for Facebook only, Facebook plus Messenger, or every Meta app. How to Block Instagram on Your NetworkVerified Instagram domains and a side by side comparison of blocking methods. How to Block TikTok on Your NetworkA seven day rollout plan for blocking TikTok across networks, laptops, Chromebooks and phones. How to block Snapchat on your networkSnapchat domains, DNS and firewall rules, and app blocks for managed iOS and Android devices. How to block X (Twitter) on your networkOfficial X domains and steps for routers, firewalls, DNS filters and managed devices. How to block Threads on your networkBlock the Threads app and website with or without blocking Instagram as well. How to block Bluesky on your networkWhy an open protocol network needs a category rule, plus verified domains and tests. How to Block Reddit on Your NetworkA five level policy ladder for blocking Reddit fully or partly at work or school. How to block Pinterest on your networkCountry domains, image hosts, apps and the save button, with DNS, firewall and MDM steps. How to block Tumblr on your networkWildcard rules, media hosts and blogs on custom domains, with tests that confirm the block. How to Block Discord on Your NetworkDiscord's four traffic types mapped, with verified domains and methods for work and school. How to block Telegram on your networkWhy DNS alone fails for Telegram, its IP ranges, built-in proxy bypass and firewall steps. How to block WhatsApp Web on your networkThree scopes: block the web client only, file transfers only, or all of WhatsApp at work.

Video, music and live streaming

Block streaming services or win back bandwidth on busy business, school and guest networks.

How to block streaming sites on your network and win back bandwidthMeasure first, then block, cap, schedule or shape video and music streaming by category. How to Block YouTube on Your Network, or Enforce Restricted ModeBlock YouTube outright or force Restricted Mode for schools and businesses. How to Block Netflix on Your NetworkA five layer blocking stack for offices, schools and hotels, with smart TV and VPN notes. How to Block Twitch on Your NetworkRunbooks for blocking Twitch live streams at work, at school and on guest Wi-Fi. How to block Kick on your networkBlock the Kick streaming site and app with verified domains, category rules and MDM. How to block Spotify on your networkBlock the Spotify web player, desktop app and phone app on business and school networks.

Games and game launchers

Stop browser games, launchers and multiplayer clients on school and work networks.

How to block online games at workBrowser game sites, launchers, multiplayer clients and cloud gaming, with network and device controls. How to block Roblox on your networkA ten minute quick start for schools and offices, with schedules and bypass checks. How to block Fortnite on your networkBlock Fortnite and its launcher, and find out why it still works after a first block. How to block Minecraft on your network, and keep Minecraft EducationBlock Java and Bedrock editions while the school edition keeps working. How to block Steam on your networkStore, community, client downloads and Remote Play blocked at work, on campus or in school.

Adult, gambling and other risky content

Category based guides for content most schools, libraries and employers restrict.

How to Block Adult Websites on Your NetworkCategory tiers and SafeSearch enforcement for business, school, library and home networks. How to block random video chat sites on your networkBlock random stranger video chat sites and apps on school, youth and family networks. How to block dating sites on your networkDating sites and apps blocked by category, with grey areas explained and tests to confirm. How to Block Gambling Sites on Your NetworkThe grey zones of gambling content and steps for routers, DNS, firewalls and devices. How to Block Crypto Exchanges on Your NetworkBlock exchanges, wallets and DeFi sites on business, bank and school networks. How to block online shopping sites at workBlock shopping by category while procurement and supplier sites keep working.

Security risks and filter bypass

Close the routes people use to get around a filter and the services attackers abuse.

How to block VPN apps on your networkA layered approach to consumer VPN apps: DNS, firewall, protocol detection limits and category data. How to block proxy sites on your networkWeb proxy and unblocker site types, with DNS and firewall rules and tests. How to block Tor on your networkDownload sites, relay lists and bridges, with firewall, DNS and managed device rules. How to block remote access tools on your networkStop unapproved remote access tools used in support scams and intrusions with allowlists. How to block newly registered domainsAge windows and warn or block rules that cut phishing and malware from brand new domains. How to block URL shorteners on your networkBlock or warn on short links, what breaks when you do, and email link checks. How to block file sharing sites on your networkBlock personal cloud storage and transfer services while keeping your own company tenant. How to block torrent sites on your networkIndex sites, trackers and peer to peer traffic blocked on business, campus and guest networks.

Blocking is only as good as the category data

Every guide above relies on accurate, current domain categories. See the web filtering categories and the web filtering database behind them.