hosts file

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Will someone please give me the location of the hosts file for OSX, 10.9.5 on my MBP? I need to restrict internet addresses. Sorry but thanks in advance.
 

vansmith

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It's at /private/etc/hosts.
 
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I saw an article on this at wikihow. For someone who's not tech savvy- (me), I don't feel comfortable editing the hosts file, though I really need to block some sites also. I'm very glad someone asked this question. The article explains how to edit the hosts file, and also has 3 other ways of blocking sites.

Could someone tell me if these instructions are any good and any other additional advice? I surely don't want to get myself in trouble, and wonder if the app mentioned there is any good.

The router idea it explains about, seems workable, though I don't know how to get into mine. I knew how to get into my old router, but the one I have now I got from my ISP, the other I bought many years ago. It had good enough instructions, I was able to follow them very well. Anyway,
here's the link to the wikihow article:

www.wikihow.com/Block-a-Website-on-Mac

Also, if I wanna try any of these, I thought of a way I can get back online if I get in trouble- if I set up my wireless first, I can use my iPad. If something did go wrong, would I be able to get on that way to get help here?
 

chscag

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It's best to leave your hosts file alone. Any mistakes with the hosts file can wind up preventing you from going on line at all. The best method would be to use the firmware built into your router. However, your router has to specifically support that feature. Most modern routers do but there are some that don't. You have to learn how to enter your router's setup menu using your browser and make the changes in the appropriate place. Do you have a manual or PDF instructions for your router?
 
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It's best to leave your hosts file alone. Any mistakes with the hosts file can wind up preventing you from going on line at all. The best method would be to use the firmware built into your router. However, your router has to specifically support that feature. Most modern routers do but there are some that don't. You have to learn how to enter your router's setup menu using your browser and make the changes in the appropriate place. Do you have a manual or PDF instructions for your router?
hello chscag, thanks for responding so quickly. I had a feeling someone would say to leave the hosts file alone, even my intuition said leave it alone, that's why I didn't touch it, but wanted to ask about the instructions in case someone who had more experience could benefit by them. I don't think my current router has any instructions for getting into it like my other one did. :(
 

Slydude

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What router are you using?
 
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Thanks to all that chimed in.
I felt dumb after asking it. I found this site that had a good tutorial.
How to Block a Website | Digital Trends
Oh well. At least I have the answer now and thanks for sharing.
 

vansmith

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If anyone decides to go the hosts file route, make a backup first. The caution made by chscag is a valid one.
 
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hello sly, my router is built into the modem from the ISP, the modem's name is cisco. I'm sure there's a way into it, but I don't remember how to do it with the ones from the ISP.
 
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If anyone decides to go the hosts file route, make a backup first. The caution made by chscag is a valid one.
When I first got into computers, the motto was, "back up or die." Every instruction on making any changes always says before doing anything, to back up. On the page I posted, it also says to back up first. :D
 

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