3

I'm using a Macbook Pro as a productivity/work machine and have Facebook and reddit blocked with /etc/hosts:

##
# Host Database
#
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.
##
127.0.0.1       localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1             localhost 
fe80::1%lo0     localhost
0.0.0.0         facebook.com
::0             facebook.com
0.0.0.0         reddit.com
::0             reddit.com

This has worked for a while in all browsers, but recently stopped working in Firefox and Safari, and I can't figure out why. I was previously using 127.0.0.1, but when that stopped working I tried 0.0.0.0 instead, no dice.

I did install Avast just recently so I thought that could have been the problem, what with its web security features, but I uninstalled the browser add-on in Safari and Firefox and I was still able to access Facebook and reddit just fine.

And I just tried uninstalling the add-ons again, and restarted the computer. Now, Google Chrome can access Facebook, but not reddit. Firefox can't access either, and Safari can access both...

I'm using OS X 10.7.5.

3
  • You could post your answer below and accept it. That would help others a) who may face similar issues, b) avoid answering this question.
    – M K
    Sep 20, 2013 at 20:30
  • This site definitively works better if you post answers as answers and do not include them into the question. I've edited your question accordingly, please add the answer below yourself.
    – nohillside
    Sep 24, 2013 at 8:21
  • I wasn't allowed to post an answer since my account was too new.
    – YAOMTC
    Sep 27, 2013 at 1:56

2 Answers 2

4

I solved my problem. It seems I need to block both the domain website.com and the address www.website.com. I didn't know that was necessary. I edited them in there and now the blocking is consistently working everywhere.

-1

The following site clearly explains how to block a site step by step using hosts on etc by means of terminal: wikiHow-Block a Website on Mac

1
  • Answers on Ask Different need to be more than just a link. It's okay to include a link, but please summarize or excerpt it in the answer. The idea is to make the answer stand alone.
    – nohillside
    Sep 24, 2013 at 8:19

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