Im Rohan… a tech fanatic based in New Delhi and Im proper right here to manual you via the method….

Using Parental Controls

Using parental controls on your Mac is a smart move to keep your kids safe online…

Lets break it down step by step so you can easily set it up and make sure your little ones are browsing safely..

First off you gotta open up System Preferences.

Just click that Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen. Once you re in find the Parental Controls option..

This is where the magic happens. Its super easy to navigate and you will feel like a tech whiz in no time…

Next you will want to select the user account you re setting this up for. If your kid does not have their own account yet you will need to create one..

 Just click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter your admin password. Then pick the account you want to modify. This way you can tailor the settings specifically for them…

Now click on the Web tab. Heres where you can really lock things down…

 You will see an option that says Try to limit access to adult websites. This is a solid starting point. It automatically blocks a bunch of sketchy sites..

But if you want to take it up a notch hit the Customize button. This lets you add specific websites you want to block..

Just type in the URL of any site you want to keep your kid away from and hit OK. Boom! That site is now off limits…

By using these parental controls you re not just blocking websites you re creating a safer online space for your kids..

You re helping them navigate the digital world responsibly. Plus it gives you peace of mind knowing you have set boundaries..

Remember its all about balance. You want your kids to explore and learn but you also want to protect them from the not so cool stuff out there..

So take a few minutes to set this up and you will be setting your kids up for a safer online experience…

Using Content Filters

Yo.. if you re tryna keep your Mac on lock and avoid those sketchy websites content filters are the way to go..

 These bad boys let you customize what sites your device can access keeping you focused and safe. Its like having a personal bodyguard for your Mac but way cooler..

To get started open up System Preferences and click on Screen Time.

This is where the magic happens fam..

Next click on Content & Privacy and then the Content tab. Under Limit Adult Websites youll see a + button  thats your ticket to a cleaner online experience…

Tap that button and enter the URL of any website you want to block. It could be a shady gambling site a sketchy torrent page or even your favorite time wasting social media platform..

Once you click Add that site is locked out and your Mac is one step closer to being a productivity powerhouse…

Remember content filters are all about balance. You dont want to block every site under the sun or you might as well be living in a digital cave.

Find a happy medium that keeps you focused without feeling like you re in digital prison. And if you ever change your mind about a blocked site just head back to the Content tab and remove it from the list…

Keeping your Mac secure and on task is all about using the right tools.

Content filters are like a Swiss Army knife for your online life  versatile effective and way cooler than a regular old knife… So go ahead get your filter on and take control of your digital destiny!

Using Hosts File

Editing the hosts file on your Mac is a straightforward way to block websites and its super effective. This method is all about rerouting those pesky URLs to your local machine making them inaccessible. Lets break it down step by step so you can get it done like a pro…

First up open Terminal. You can find it in Applications > Utilities. Once you re in type this command:

bash

sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

Hit Enter and it will ask for your admin password. Dont sweat it.. just type it in. You wont see any characters appear but thats normal.

 Now you re in the hosts file which is where the magic happens…

Scroll down to the bottom of the file. You will see a line that says 127.0.0.1 localhost. This is your local IP address…

To block a website you just need to add a new line right below it. Type:

bash

127.0.0.1 www.example.com

Make sure to replace www.example.com  with the actual site you want to block.

If you want to block multiple sites just repeat this step for each one. For example if you want to block Facebook  you add:

bash

127.0.0.1 facebook.com

After you re done adding all the sites its time to save your changes.

 Press Control + X to exit. It will ask if you want to save.. hit Y for yes and then hit Enter to confirm..

Now to make sure the changes take effect you need to flush your DNS cache. In the Terminal type:

bash

sudo dscacheutil flushcache

This clears out any old data ensuring your Mac recognizes the new blocks..

And just like that you have blocked those websites! If you try to visit them you will get an error message saying you cant connect.

This method works across all browsers so whether you re on Safari Chrome or Firefox those sites wont load..

Keep in mind this is a solid way to keep distractions at bay especially when you re trying to focus on work or studies.

Just remember if you ever need to unblock a site you can follow the same steps and simply remove the lines you added in the hosts file…

Using Third-Party Apps

 Downloading and Installing the Right App

First off you gotta grab a solid content blocking app. Freedom Block Site and Stay Focused are top picks. Hit up the App Store or their official websites to download.

The installation process is usually straightforward just follow the prompts and you will be good to go…

 Setting Up Your Block

Once you have installed your app open it up. You will find options to create a new schedule or session..

This is where the magic happens. You can decide when you want those pesky sites blocked. Whether you re working on a project or just need some chill time setting a schedule makes it easy..

 Adding Websites to the Block List

Now its time to add the websites you want to block. Each app will have a section for this. Just type in the URLs of those distracting sites.

You know the ones the social media rabbit holes or streaming services that eat up your time. Add them to your block list and you re one step closer to a distraction free zone…

 Scheduling Your Sessions

After adding the sites set your schedule. Most apps let you choose specific times for blocking.

Want to focus from 9 AM to 5 PM? Easy! Just select those hours and the app will handle the rest. You can even set recurring sessions if you want to make it a habit…

 Monitoring Your Progress

Many of these apps come with features that let you track your progress..

You can see how much time you have saved or how often you have accessed blocked sites. This feedback helps you stay accountable and adjust your blocking strategy as needed…

Disabling Extensions

First open up Safari and hit up the Apple menu. Scroll down to System Preferences and click that bad boy. Now look for the Extensions icon and give it a tap.

This will take you to the Extensions settings where you can see all the extensions installed on your Mac..

Next take a look at the list of extensions on the left side of the window. If you see any that might be causing trouble hover over them and click the Uninstall button. .

This will remove the extension from your system so you can get back to browsing without any issues.

But wait theres more! If you want to disable an extension without uninstalling it simply uncheck the box next to its name. .

This will turn off the extension without deleting it so you can always turn it back on later if you need to..

Remember extensions can be a real game changer when it comes to customizing your Safari experience.

But if they re causing more problems than they re solving its time to take action. Disable or uninstall those troublemakers and get your browser back on track…

Clearing Browser Cache and Cookies

Why Clear Cache and Cookies?

First off cache is like your browsers memory. It stores bits of data from websites you visit helping them load faster next time. But over time this data can pile up and slow things down..

Cookies on the other hand are little pieces of info that websites save to remember you. They can help with logins and preferences but they also track your browsing habits..

Clearing them out keeps your browsing fresh and your privacy intact…

 How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Safari

1. Open Safari: Start by launching Safari from your dock or applications folder.

2. Access the Menu: Click on Safari in the top menu bar. From there select Clear History and Website Data. This option is your goto for a quick cleanup.

3. Select Time Range: A popup will appear asking you to choose the time range you want to clear. You can select options like the last hour today or all history. For a thorough clean go with all history.

4. Clear Data: Hit Clear History and Data. This action removes all cached data and cookies giving you a fresh start.

5. Confirm Your Choice: Safari will confirm your action. Click Remove Now to finalize the cleanup.

6. Restart Safari: For the changes to kick in close and reopen Safari. This step ensures that all the old data is gone and your browser runs like new.

Benefits of Clearing Your Cache and Cookies

Regularly clearing your cache and cookies can significantly improve your browsing experience. It speeds up your browser enhances your privacy and solves loading issues on websites..

Plus it helps you see the latest updates on sites ensuring you re not stuck with outdated info..

Final Thoughts

Keeping your browser clean is essential in todays digital world. It helps maintain speed and security while browsing….

So make it a habit to clear your cache and cookies regularly. Trust me your Safari will thank you for it!

About the Author:

Im Rohan a tech fanatic primarily based totally in New Delhi and Im proper proper right here to manual you thru the method. Located at A45 Green Park Extension New Delhi 110016 Im constantly searching out the modern day tech tendencies and pointers…

Resource

https://mackeeper.com/blog/block-websites-in-safari/

All Images and featured image used in this article was owned by macworld and respective creators..

techcafe

Im Rohan a tech fanatic primarily based totally in New Delhi and Im proper proper right here to manual you thru the method. Located at A45 Green Park Extension New Delhi 110016 Im constantly searching out the modernday tech tendencies and pointers.