How to Block Websites on Chromebook

The Internet isn’t always a friendly place. In fact, it’s teeming with all kinds of surreal content. From phishing scams and malware to adult and explicit content, there are times you wish you could unsee things. This is where the habit of safe browsing comes into play and gets you back in the right direction. However, sometimes we end up somewhere entirely unintentional despite us attempting to stay clean.

For that matter, the surefire way of steering clear of such content is through a plain and simple block. Blocking websites from being reaccessed ensures the most secure method of browsing out there. In this article, therefore, we’ll extensively cover how you can do exactly that and keep your Chromebook protected at all times.

Blocking Websites on Chromebook

1. BlockSite to the Rescue

With over 1 million users, BlockSite is an extension for the Chrome browser that can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store easily. It’s something that gets the job done, and judging from the plethora of positive reviews, one genuinely cannot go wrong with it. Let’s take a brief look at some of its well-grounded features.

Why BlockSite?

The following should convince you why BlockSite will have you look no further.

Heighten Your Productivity

BlockSite has its usability focused entirely on productivity. The extension comprises numerous helpful pointers that make sure you stay concentrated on your path. If you’ve got something that you think is distracting you consistently day in day out, this site-blocker will restrict you from gaining access to it with ingrained password protection. This will make even procrastination a difficult prospect.

People dropping reviews have all conformed to a singular opinion – BlockSite has proved immensely critical in negating their daily distractions. They say that the extension’s “Focus Timer” kept them on the right track and only allowed free browsing for a set period of time.

Valuable Insights

While maintaining privacy standards, BlockSite monitors your browsing activity and provides you with insights as well. This goes for the amount of time you’re spending on different websites, what category of sites you visit the most, and more. This can help you evaluate your browsing trends and improve upon them if need be.

Concentrate More With Work Mode

BlockSite features a highly distinct “Work Mode” that sets the motion for fecundity like no other. It works on the principle of the famous “Pomodoro Technique,” which helps you specify your work into time intervals. The intervals are customarily 25 minutes in length and attribute to a short break right after. During this break, you can step off your computer or browse freely instead.

Effective Scheduling

BlockSite’s “Scheduling” allows you to work according to a time-table. This newly-prepped routine of yours will consist of times where you’ll work and focus on productivity and times where you’ll be given access to the websites of your choice. In our opinion, not only will this help you sort your daily habits straight, but it won’t tire you out as well while doing so.

Cross-Browser Sync

No matter if you switch from your Chrome OS to a mobile, the hustle stays regular with BlockSite. The extension features sync compatibility, so all your saved schedules, site settings, and other data are transferred comfortably if you change devices. All you’ll have to do, of course, is sign in using your account.

Built-In Content Filter

BlockSite features a built-in adult content blocker that fends off X-rated websites on the fly. This safekeeping strategic measure will protect your online activity at all costs. Rest assured, it’s enabled as default, so there’s little to none effort required here.

How to Install BlockSite

Quite fortunately, BlockSite is available for free on the Chrome Web Store. All you have to do is follow the steps given below for a smooth installation.

1) Click on this link to get straight to the installation page. Click on “Add to Chrome” to continue.

2) After you do that, you’ll be asked for final confirmation before the installation happens. This will be done through a pop-up window, and you’ll have to click on “Add extension”.

That’s about it! The download will begin in a few moments and finish shortly.

BlockSite’s Working

Right off the bat, there’s an address bar that you can use to put in the URL of websites you wish to block. As you can understand by now, this function of BlockSite is fairly easy. Other than that, you have the “Work Mode” along with password protection. There’s also an option to sync with other devices.

To utilize the full potential of BlockSite, you’ll have to upgrade to its paid version. This will unlock more features, give you more websites to block at a time, and increase the overall functionality.

2. Other Measures to Pursue

Apart from a straight-up block, there are other measures to take for tailoring your experience to near-perfection online. Let’s see what they are.

Enabling Safe Search

This option works only if you use Google as your go-to search engine. Beware beforehand; SafeSearch will avail you no benefit if it’s not being used on Google. That said, this function is built from the root up to provide filtered search results. It helps negate explicit content away, especially if we talk about search results related to pornography. To enable SafeSearch, go to this link and click on “Settings” in the bottom-right corner. Then, proceed to click on “Search Settings.”

Once you do that, a new page should load. Right at the top will appear “SafeSearch Filters”. Check the box below the heading to enable this setting on your browser.

Optimizing Site Permissions

Apart from filters and site blocking, you can access the permissions section of a website and choose whether to allow it or deny multiple specifics. For instance, it’s your decision if you want a particular website to load images, run Flash, gain access to your location, use your microphone or camera, and more of the like. This can help keep the websites you visit in check and make them display only what you want them to. To do this, go to the “Settings” of your Chrome browser and click on “Privacy and Security” in the left column. After that, click on “Site Settings” to get to the main permissions part.

From there on out, you’ll have several permissions in front of you that you can either grant or deny websites. Optimize all this as per your liking.

3. Supervising a Child Account

The last of the lot is setting up your Chromebook in a manner where you get complete control. This is when you set up a child account on Chrome OS and use it to supervise your little one’s browsing patterns. It’s not just the websites that you’ll be able to monitor in terms of blocking or accessing, in this case, but every other Chromebook activity as well. We have done a complete article on the subject, so be sure to read it for a thorough guide.

Conclusion

Blocking websites can go a really long way to ensure conservative yet secure internet surfing. Quite fortunately, BlockSite is more than capable of suiting your needs in this regard. Other than that, there are more things you can do to maximize your Chromebook’s untapped potential. Chrome Ready wishes you happy browsing!