Can't restrict access to websites

[branskyj]

Hi all,

I am trying to restrict the access to certain websites on my computer to no avail. I tried editing the hosts file in System32/Drivers/Etc folder, opened Wordpad as Admin and added some lines at the bottom. These are the last 3 rows in the hosts file:

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

# ::1 localhost

127.0.0.1 http://www.facebook.com

Problem is, after I save the file and reboot, I am still able to visit http://www.facebook.com

The problem is quite irritating especially when several months ago I was able to restrict the access. And I know the changes I have made in the hosts file are still there, I can see them.

 

Any Idea why is that happening?

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.

 

Thanks a lot for any help guys.

Edited March 11, 2011 by branskyj

[Jeff Mottle]

have you tried to flush the DNS?

ipconfig /flushdns

[branskyj]

Hi Jeff and thank you for the prompt response.

I just tried your suggestion but am still able to access facebook. I guess I will have to look for alternative ways to forbid access.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

 

Cheers.

[Jeff Mottle]

Make sure the spacing between the IP and domain name are correct. Somewhere I read it had to be eight spaces, but I've always just used a tab. Also http://www.facebook.com is not the same as facebook.com so you may need to make two entries.

[branskyj]

ha, silly me.

I just read another article as to how to restrict website access, then I changed my hosts file last to rows to this:

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

127.0.0.1 http://www.facebook.com

And it worked.

Salvation.

 

Thanks for the help again, Jeff.