Category: URL basics

Picture this: you’re hurrying to type your desired website’s address, but unfortunately, you hit the wrong key. What seems like a tiny slip becomes the cue for a scammer. 

This is the problem of URL hijacking, where unnoticed typos in our favorite URLs lead us straight into danger. It may seem unlikely, but studies show that the top 3,264 domains alone are targeted by roughly 281 typo variants each, on average.

Now, imagine the consequences: identity theft, drained bank accounts, brand reputations collapsing, all triggered by a single mistyped letter. 

The agitation here is real, and the numbers don’t lie: around 68% of phishing sites rely on brand imitation, like misspelled domains.

But don’t worry, we’ve got some good news for you!

In this post, we’ll explore solid defense techniques for spotting, blocking, and preventing these hijacks before they happen. So let’s get started with a closer look at what exactly URL hijacking is, beginning with a quick summary of what it means when someone hijacks a web address.

What is URL hijacking: A brief overview

Think of browsing the web as entering the correct building number to meet a friend, but ending up at a look-alike house instead. That’s essentially what happens in URL hijacking.

Attackers manipulate web traffic so you end up somewhere you didn’t intend to. At its core, URL hijacking (or “typosquatting”) means redirecting users or using near-identical web addresses to funnel them away from the legitimate site.

The major objective? To exploit unsuspecting users (and search engines) for personal data theft, brand damage, or profit, typically through services disguised as the real deal.

What is URL hijacking in cybersecurity

When we talk about URL hijacking in the context of cybersecurity, we’re zooming in on how attackers take advantage of the web addresses you visit, i.e., the actual “links” or “locations” you type or click. 

One frequent tactic is called typosquatting, in which an attacker registers a misspelled version of a brand’s domain (for example, “amazom.com” instead of “amazon.com”) and waits for people to land there by accident.

Another is redirecting or manipulating DNS or redirect codes so that you believe you’re going to a trusted page, but you actually land on a malicious look-alike.

From a user’s perspective, this means: you click a link, everything looks legitimate, but behind the scenes, you may be entering your credentials, payment info, or other sensitive data into a fake site. That’s what makes URL hijacking a serious cybersecurity threat.

How does URL hijacking work?

Let’s walk through how this sneaky trick happens in real life. First, the attacker sets the stage, then everything else falls into place. Here’s how the workflow typically unfolds, in a reasonably straightforward way.

Workflow steps:

1. Domain registration or control: The attacker registers a domain name that closely mimics a legitimate site’s address (e.g., by adding or changing a letter, swapping characters, or using a different top-level domain).
2. Replication of look and feel: They build a website on that domain that imitates the legitimate brand’s logo, layout, colors, and content, so that casual visitors don’t notice the difference.
3. Driving traffic: Victims arrive via mistyped addresses (e.g., entering “exampel.com” instead of “example.com”), phishing emails with the fake URL, misleading ads or links, etc.
4. Redirection or landing: Once the user lands on the spoofed domain, they might be redirected elsewhere, asked to log in, enter payment details, download something malicious, or simply be shown ads.
5. Exploitation or profit: The attacker gathers credentials, installs malware, hijacks sessions, steals financial or personal data, or monetizes the traffic via affiliate links or advertising.
6. Covering tracks or scaling: They may register multiple domain variants, shift hosting, change DNS entries, or use redirection chains to evade detection and keep the scam alive.

That’s the typical route from a simple typo or deceptive link to a full-blown hijack.

Permanent & temporary redirects: The major culprits behind URL hijacking

Redirects are a widely utilized tool on the web today. They are used for everything from changing domain names to rerouting traffic during maintenance. 

But when used (or misused), especially with the wrong type of redirect, they can become a major weakness that allows someone to hijack your URLs quite easily.

Here are the key types of redirects and how they play a key role in URL hijacking:

• Permanent redirect (HTTP 301 / 308): This tells browsers and search engines, “this page has moved for good to this new address.” When used properly, it’s safe and clear. But if someone uses it maliciously, they can shift traffic and visibility away from your legitimate URL.
• Temporary redirect (HTTP 302 / 303 / 307): This says “the content is temporarily at this address, but it will return.” The issue here is that search engines may get confused about which URL is the “real” one and may transfer ranking or visibility to the wrong URL. This is exactly what hijackers exploit.
• Redirects from typos or look-alike domains: An attacker registers a domain that’s almost the same as yours (think one letter off) and sets up a redirect. Sometimes the redirect is temporary and sometimes permanent. However, the ultimate goal is to divert visitors or hijack your traffic. 
• Redirect chains or hidden/mis-handled redirects: Multiple hops of redirects, or the use of scripts/meta refresh, may conceal where a user ends up. This increases the chances of something going wrong, getting flagged, or getting hijacked.

In short, you must make sure you’re using the correct type of redirect for your purpose, and monitoring any unexpected ones. This is because misused temporary or permanent redirects are often the gateway to unauthorized traffic takeover.

Various forms of URL hijacking: Common methods listed

URL hijacking isn’t just one simple trick! There are several different practices attackers use to redirect or steal traffic. 

Here’s a look at the major ones:

Typosquatting/Brandjacking

This happens when someone registers a domain name that’s almost identical to a trusted one, maybe one letter off, a plural version, or a different top-level domain (say “.net” instead of “.com”).

The goal is that users make a simple mistake and end up on the fake site instead of the real one. Once there, the fake may mimic the real site’s design, tricking you into entering login details or giving up personal info.

Domain hijacking

Here, the attacker takes control of the actual domain name from the rightful owner, for example, by getting access to the registrar account or exploiting lax domain transfer controls. 

The main aim is to redirect all traffic meant for the real domain to a malicious site or to claim the domain for themselves. It’s especially dangerous because your brand or site might be “you,” but the traffic goes somewhere completely different, under someone else’s control.

DNS hijacking/poisoning

In this method, instead of attacking the domain name itself, the attacker corrupts the DNS lookup process, i.e., the system that translates your typed address into an IP address. 

They insert false DNS records so that when you type a valid URL, you’re routed to a malicious server instead. Since your browser shows the correct URL, many users don’t notice anything’s wrong until it’s too late.

Malware-based browser hijacking

This one doesn’t always involve domains or DNS. Instead, malware or browser add-ons modify your browser settings (homepage, search engine, or extensions), redirecting you or exposing you to malicious content. 

For instance, you click what appears to be a normal link, but a malicious extension changes the destination behind the scenes.

Malicious redirects

These are simpler but pretty effective. You arrive at a webpage (maybe by typo, click, or link) and are immediately or slowly redirected through one or more intermediate sites to a final malicious destination. 

It might be designed to steal credentials, serve ads, or install malware. This method often overlaps with the others (DNS, domain, or browser hijacks), but the key is the redirect chain itself.

The consequences of URL hijacking: Severe dangers & impacts

When someone hijacks your URLs, it’s not just a harmless annoyance; it can lead to serious fallout for both individuals and organizations. Let’s walk through the main risks you’ll want to keep an eye on.

Theft of sensitive information

When a hijacked URL redirects you to what looks like a legit site, you might end up entering usernames, passwords, credit card details, or other personal data. This kind of data capture sits at the heart of many phishing-based URL hijacks.

Once attackers have that info, they can commit identity theft, access financial accounts, or carry out further attacks seamlessly.

Financial losses for businesses

For companies, the impact extends far beyond a single user being defrauded. A hijacked domain or URL can redirect traffic meant for you to someone else’s site, leading to lost revenue, diverted customers, and the cost of recovering systems. Plus, when customer trust is broken, the long-term hits can be even worse.

Malware installation

Some hijacking schemes involve more than just redirecting users. They may lead to malicious downloads, drive-by installs, or the execution of hidden browser scripts. 

In other words: you click a link, land on what looks like the right page, and boom. You’ve got malware quietly running in the background.

SEO damage

Finally, if your domain or URLs are hijacked, your search engine standing can take a hit. Traffic gets diverted, link equity gets lost, and search engines may flag your site for suspicious behavior. All of this can severely hurt your rankings and visibility.

So with these risks in mind, it’s clear why URL hijacking is something you need to take seriously. Up next, we’ll look at how to prevent these kinds of attacks and protect your brand and users.

How to prevent URL hijacking: Protection & mitigation techniques

Protecting against URL hijacking isn’t about one silver bullet; it’s more like putting together a toolbox of good habits, clever tech, and proactive monitoring. 

Here’s how you can build that protection together.

Be vigilant

Always keep your eyes open for anything odd, such as unexpected domain variations, sudden traffic drops, or links that look slightly off. Training your team and even your users to double-check the URL before entering credentials or clicking unknown links is a simple but powerful step.

Use reliable security software

Installing and maintaining effective security software, such as firewalls, anti-malware, and endpoint protection, can help block malicious sites, stop compromised redirects, and alert you to any suspicious activity. Keeping everything patched and up-to-date makes a big difference.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Even if someone lands on a spoofed site and steals a password, MFA adds another layer of defense. The attacker still needs that second factor (a code, token, etc.) to breach in fully. It doesn’t stop the hijack entirely, but it reduces the damage quite well.

Monitor domain variations

Register common misspellings or look-alike domains of your brand before someone else does, and keep an eye on newly registered domains that resemble yours. This proactive move can block hijackers at the starting line.

Monitor website traffic & backlinks

If you notice a surprising drop in traffic or strange links pointing to domains you don’t recognize, that could be a sign someone’s hijacked your URL or is redirecting your traffic. Things like backlink monitoring and domain name checks are pretty helpful in this case.

Use secure DNS providers

Choosing DNS services with protections (such as DNSSEC, filtering of malicious domains, and monitoring) helps prevent someone from tampering with your DNS records or redirecting your site behind your back.

In complex environments, especially cross-border setups, an IT audit Mainland China can also help identify systemic risks across hosting providers, DNS settings, and vendor access.

URL hijacking vs. URL phishing vs. URL masking vs. URL filtering

Here’s a friendly breakdown of how these terms differ from each other, so you can spot exactly what’s going on.

Technique	What it is (definition)	Key purpose	How to recognize it
URL hijacking	Redirecting or hijacking legitimate URLs to send traffic elsewhere.	Attackers aim to steal traffic, credentials, or hijack brand identity or reputation	You expect to go to site A, but you’re taken to site B. The domain looks similar, or a redirect happens
URL phishing	Using deceptive URLs (often in emails or links) that mimic a trusted source to trick someone into giving up sensitive info.	To steal login passwords, financial info, or trigger malware	Link says it’s “yourbank.com/login,” but it actually points somewhere else. An email template requests that you click the link.
URL masking (or cloaking)	Displaying one URL in the browser while loading content from another URL behind the scenes.	Can be used legitimately for branding/affiliate links. But also abused for deception	The address bar stays on “brand-site.com,” but the content is served from a completely different site. The URL doesn’t change as you navigate
URL filtering	A defensive tool: blocking or allowing access to URLs based on rules, categories, or threat intelligence.	To protect users and networks from malicious or off-policy web traffic	On your network, you try to visit a site and get “Access denied” or see a block page. The admin controls which URLs are allowed

Wrapping up

URL hijacking might sound like a technical issue, but as we’ve seen, it’s a real threat that can harm your data, business, and online reputation. From typosquatting and DNS hijacking to malicious redirects, attackers keep finding new ways to trick users and steal information. 

The good news is that with a bit of awareness, the right security habits, and smart innovative tools, you can stay one step ahead. Always keep an eye on your domains, monitor redirects, and use secure DNS providers. 

And if you’re looking for a safe, reliable, and professional way to shorten long URLs, give Replug.io a try today. It’s one of the best custom URL shorteners out there to shorten links hassle-free, built with both branding and security in mind.

Frequently asked questions

Have you ever tried opening a website in Chrome only to wish you could block it forever? Whether it’s distracting socials, sketchy sites, or pages you just shouldn’t see at work or home, unwanted URLs are a daily headache for millions.

In fact, organizations now block roughly 100 million malicious URLs every single day to protect users from threats like malware and URL phishing.

But here’s the catch!

Without the right tricks, Chrome won’t stop you from visiting those sites, leaving you stuck clicking away or stressing over digital distractions. 

That’s why learning how to block URLs isn’t just a neat skill; it’s essential for productivity, safety, and peace of mind. 

Ready to fix this once and for all? Let’s dive into the effective strategies to block a website in Chrome that actually work.

Proven methods to block a URL in Chrome

Before we jump into all the possible ways you can block a URL in Chrome, let’s start with the easiest and most user-friendly option for most people. 

If you don’t want to mess with settings or techy stuff, using a browser extension like “BlockSite” makes the whole process quick and painless.

Method #01: Using a Chrome extension named BlockSite (recommended for most users)

BlockSite makes blocking URLs in Chrome super simple, no matter if you’re trying to avoid distractions or keep certain content away.

1. Install the extension: Open Chrome and head to the Chrome Web Store. Search for BlockSite – Block Websites & Stay Focused and click Add to Chrome. This will install the extension right into your browser.
2. Open BlockSite: Once installed, you’ll see its icon near the address bar (if you don’t, click the puzzle 🧩 icon and pin it). Next, click the icon to launch BlockSite.
3. Skip extras or log in: You might be asked to accept data permissions or choose a subscription plan. You can grant permissions, skip the paid plan, and still block URLs just fine with the free version.
4. Add the URL to block: Go to the Block Sites tab and type or paste the URL you want to block. Then hit the plus (+) button or Add Item. BlockSite will now stop Chrome from opening it.
5. Block while browsing: If you’re already on the site you want gone, just click the BlockSite icon and choose Block this site. Super easy!
6. Manage blocked sites: Want to unblock something later? Just go back to the BlockSite dashboard and remove it from your list.

You’ll learn even more effective methods next!

Method #02: Using Developer Tools (advanced/temporary)

If you’re comfortable opening Chrome’s built-in tools and want a quick, temporary way to block specific URL requests, the Developer Tools Network blocking feature is handy.

1. Open the page you want to block something on: Go to the site where the URL you wish to block loads.
2. Open Developer Tools: Press Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows/Linux or Cmd + Option + I on Mac. This opens the DevTools panel.
3. Go to the Network tab: At the top of DevTools, click Network. This lets you see all network requests (such as images, scripts, and APIs).
4. Reload the page: Refresh the page to have Chrome log every request in the Network panel. This causes the URL you want to block to appear in the list.
5. Find the URL request: Scroll through the list and look for the specific URL (or resource) you want to block.
6. Block it: Right-click on that request and choose Block request URL (or “Block request domain” if you want to block everything from that domain). Chrome will add it to the Network Request Blocking list.
7. Keep DevTools open: As long as DevTools stays open and the “Enable network request blocking” option is checked, Chrome won’t load that URL. An excellent choice for testing or temporary blocking.

This method is incredible for debugging or testing things on a page without installing anything extra. Just remember it’s not a permanent block, and only works while DevTools is active. 

Ready for the next method? Let’s go!

Method #03: Using Google Admin Console (for enterprise/education)

If your organization or school manages Chrome using Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), the Google Admin Console lets you block specific URLs for users across all managed Chrome browsers and ChromeOS devices.

This is super useful for stopping access to distracting or harmful sites without relying on individual extensions.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Sign in to the Admin Console: Open your browser and go to admin.google.com. Log in with your administrator account. (Note: you’ll need admin rights to make these changes.)
2. Head to Chrome settings: From the main dashboard, go to Devices → Chrome → Settings → Users & browser settings. This is where most Chrome policies live for managed users.
3. Select who this applies to: On the left side, choose the organizational unit (OU) you want the block rule to apply to, e.g., a whole department or student group.
4. Find URL blocking: Scroll down (or use the search box) to find “URL Blocking” under the Content section.
5. Add the URLs you want to block: In the Blocked URLs field, type or paste the links you want to block; each on its own line. You can enter up to 1,000 URLs here.
6. Optionally allow exceptions: If you want to allow some sites even if they’re on the blocklist, use the Blocked URL exceptions field. This lets you create safe exceptions.
7. Save your changes: Click Save at the bottom or top to apply the policy. Chrome will start blocking those URLs for users in that OU (usually within a few minutes).

This Admin Console method is ideal when you’re managing many users, like in a business or school, and want a centralized way to enforce rules across the board.

Method #04: Using the hosts file

Want a system-level way to block a URL in Chrome (and all other browsers) without extensions? 

Editing your computer’s hosts file is a classic, no-extra-software method. It works by telling your operating system to redirect a particular website to your own computer (which doesn’t serve that site), so the site never loads when you try to visit it.

Here’s how to block a URL in Chrome (PC) step-by-step:

🪟 On Windows (10/11)

1. Open Notepad as admin: Search for Notepad, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. This is essential to save changes later.

2. Open the hosts file: In Notepad, go to File → Open, then navigate to:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

If you don’t see anything, change the file type dropdown to All Files (.)

3. Add the sites you want to block: At the bottom of the file, type:

127.0.0.1 example.com

127.0.0.1 www.example.com

Replace example.com with the site’s address you want to block (include both “www” and “non-www” lines).

4. Save the file: Hit Ctrl+S to save. You might need to confirm administrator access.

5. Restart Chrome: Close and reopen your browser. If the site still loads, you can flush your DNS cache (search “cmd” → run as admin, then enter ipconfig /flushdns).

🍎 On Mac (macOS)

1. Open Terminal: Hit Command + Space, type Terminal, and hit Enter.

2. Edit the hosts file: Type this.

 sudo nano /etc/hosts

Press Enter, then type your password when prompted.

3. Add the block entries: At the end of the file, add:

127.0.0.1 example.com

127.0.0.1 www.example.com

Replace example.com with the site you want to stop people from reaching.

4. Save and exit: Press Control + O to save and Control + X to exit. Then flush the DNS cache:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

💡 Quick tip: This method blocks sites on a system level, but it doesn’t stop someone from using a VPN or proxy to bypass it. And in rare cases, Chrome might ignore the hosts file if Secure DNS is enabled. When you want to undo it later, just remove the lines you added or comment them out with a # and save again.

Next up, let’s look at how to block URLs directly via parental controls.

Method #05: Using parental controls

If you want to block specific URLs on Chrome without extensions, and especially if you’re doing this for kids or other users, built-in parental controls are a solid way to go. 

These tools let you filter sites, block particular URLs, and manage what content can be viewed, and unlike browser extensions, they usually work across all browsers on that device.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Decide which parental control tool to use:

• On Chromebooks and Android devices, Google Family Link is the go-to option.
• On Windows 11, you can use the built-in Family Safety controls.
• On macOS/iPhone/iPad, Apple’s Screen Time lets you block sites at the system level (applies to Chrome too).

2. Set up a child account (if needed): For tools like Google Family Link or Windows Family Safety, you’ll usually create a child profile first. This lets you apply restrictions to that account without affecting your own.

3. Open the parental control settings:

• Google Family Link: Open the app → select your child’s profile → go to Manage settings → Filters on Google Chrome → Manage sites.
• Windows Family Safety: Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users, choose the child account, then adjust Content filters → Blocked sites and add URLs.
• Screen Time on Apple devices:Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Web Content → Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only, and add the URLs you want to block.

4. Add the URLs you want to block: Inside the parental control dashboard, there’s usually an option like “Blocked sites” or “Never allow” where you paste the complete website addresses you don’t want the user to access.

5. Save and test: Once you save the changes, try opening those sites in Chrome. They should now be blocked according to your settings. If you’re on a child’s account, they won’t be able to access the blocked pages without permission.

Note: Tools like Google Family Link also let you switch to only allowing approved sites, which is even stricter than just blocking a few URLs. Using parental controls gives you a more reliable block than a browser extension, especially if the user isn’t tech-savvy and might uninstall the blocker themselves.

Method #06: Using match pattern with Chrome

If you’re a bit more technical and want to block groups of URLs instead of typing every single address, using URL match patterns can be effective.

Match patterns let you define wildcard rules (like “block everything from this domain or path”) that extensions can use to block sites in Chrome. 

Note: This isn’t something built directly into Chrome’s basic settings, so you’ll use an extension that supports URL patterns to block links based on rules you define.

Follow along with these steps:

1. Choose a blocker extension that supports patterns: Search the Chrome Web Store for a URL-blocking extension that lets you enter pattern rules (some blockers call them wildcards or pattern filters). Many extensions let you block based on text or pattern matches.

2. Install the extension: Click Add to Chrome → Add extension. Once installed, pin it next to your address bar so it’s easy to open.

3. Open the extension’s settings: Click the extension icon and go to its options or settings page. This is usually where you add URLs or patterns you want to block.

4. Learn the match pattern basics: Chrome match patterns generally follow a simple rule:

<scheme>://<host>/<path>

Scheme is usually http, https, or * (to match both),

host can be exact (example.com) or use wildcards (*.example.com),

and path often ends with /* to match anything under that path.

5. Enter your patterns: In the blocker’s field, add patterns like:

• *://*.example.com/*: Blocks any secure/insecure page on example.com or its subdomains
• https://site.com/path/*: Blocks everything under that specific path

These patterns tell the extension which sites to catch when you or someone else tries to open them.

6. Save and test: Hit Save or Apply, depending on the extension. Try visiting a page that fits your pattern. If it’s blocked, your rule works!

7. Tweak as needed: You can add more patterns or edit existing ones. If a site still loads, adjust your pattern (for example, include a wildcard, such as *, to catch subdomains).

💡 Quick tip: Using patterns lets you block many pages at once without typing every URL individually. This is the perfect option if you want to block an entire blog, shopping site, or any group of pages that follow the same structure. Just make sure the extension you choose supports this type of pattern input.

Method #07: Using Chrome’s SafeSearch feature

If your goal is less about blocking specific URLs and more about filtering out inappropriate or explicit content from your Google Search results in Chrome, then SafeSearch is a simple built-in way to do it. 

It doesn’t block websites outright, but it does help keep search results cleaner by filtering out adult or offensive content (great for kids, work, or just a safer browsing feel).

Here’s a stepwise walkthrough:

1. Open Google in Chrome: Launch Chrome and go to www.google.com.
2. Go to SafeSearch settings: On desktop, scroll down the page and click Settings, then Search settings. Alternatively, you can visit www.google.com/preferences directly.
3. Turn on SafeSearch: In the SafeSearch filters section, check the box next to “Turn on SafeSearch” to filter out explicit content from Google Search results.
4. Save your settings: Scroll to the bottom and click Save to apply the change.
5. Lock SafeSearch (optional): If you’re doing this for kids, you can lock SafeSearch, so others can’t turn it off. You’ll need to be logged in to your Google account to do it.

Note: Just keep in mind that SafeSearch only affects Google Search results. It won’t stop people from visiting a site directly by typing its URL or clicking a link. This is a simple way to make Chrome searches safer before moving on to more advanced blocking techniques!

Method #08: Using the BlockList URL feature

If you’re managing Chrome across a business, school, or any organization, you can use Chrome’s URLBlocklist/URLAllowlist policies to block specific websites for all users. 

This method isn’t something you do in the ordinary Chrome settings. It’s for admins who need a central, enforceable block using Group Policy (GPO) on Windows or JSON policy files on other systems.

Here’s how to get it done:

1. Get the Chrome policy templates (for GPO): First, download the latest Chrome Enterprise policy templates from Google’s official bundle. These include the ADMX/ADML files you’ll use in the Group Policy Editor.
2. Load the ADMX templates into GPO: Open Group Policy Management Editor → go to Administrative Templates → Add/Remove Templates and import the Google Chrome ADMX files. Once loaded, you’ll see a Google → Google Chrome section under policies.
3. Configure URLBlocklist via GPO: Under Google → Google Chrome, find Block access to a list of URLs. Enable the policy and add the URLs you want to block (one per line). Chrome will prevent users from visiting these sites.
4. Use URLAllowlist to make exceptions (Optional): Still in GPO, enable Allow access to a list of URLs and add URLs that should be accessible even if they match the block pattern. This override sits above the block rules!
5. Deploy and refresh policies: Apply the GPO to your target machines/users. On managed devices, users may need to restart Chrome, and you can verify it by checking chrome://policy in the browser. It should show “URLBlocklist” and “URLAllowlist” with status “OK.”

Now, using JSON policy files (for macOS, Linux, or managed devices)

If you’re not using Group Policy, e.g., on macOS, Linux, or Chrome managed outside of Active Directory, you can define the same settings in a “JSON file”.

Here’s what to do:

1. Create a JSON file in the managed policy folder: For Chrome on Linux/macOS, place a file inside /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/ (or the equivalent managed directory).

2. Add your blocklist/allowlist entries: Make the policy JSON look like this:

{

“URLBlocklist”: [

“https://badsite.com”,

“https://anotherbad.com”

],

“URLAllowlist”: [

“https://goodsite.com”

]

}

This tells Chrome to block sites in “URLBlocklist” and allow those in “URLAllowlist”, with the allowlist taking precedence.

3. Restart Chrome: Once the file is in place and properly formatted, restart Chrome to apply the changes.

Note: Blocking URLs this way is enforceable from the admin side. Users can’t easily remove the block because it’s based on your organization’s policies. And if you’re using both blocklist and allowlist together, remember that allowlist entries will override blocklist rules when a URL matches both. This approach is perfect for schools, workplaces, or any environment where you need a consistent, managed block across many users.

How to block a URL in Chrome (Android)

Chrome on Android doesn’t let you block sites directly inside the browser. One of the best ways to filter and block websites (including specific URLs) is by configuring your phone’s Private DNS with a service like “NextDNS”.

This makes all your device’s DNS lookups go through NextDNS, where you can set up blocklists that stop unwanted sites from resolving.

Here’s how to set up Private DNS with NextDNS:

1. Sign up for a NextDNS account: Go to https://nextdns.io/ and create a free account. Once you’re signed in, make a configuration profile (for example, “Android”). After you do that, NextDNS will give you a unique DNS-over-TLS (DoT) endpoint. It looks like xxxxxx.dns.nextdns.io.
2. Add URLs you want to block in the NextDNS dashboard: In your NextDNS account online, use the Blocklists, Denylist, or Custom rules settings to add the websites or domains you want to prevent from loading on your phone. NextDNS lets you block entire domains (like example.com) and also more advanced rules if needed.
3. Open Android Settings: On your Android phone, open Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS. (The exact path can vary slightly on different brands, but it’s usually under “Network & Internet”.)
4. Choose “Private DNS provider hostname”: Tap Private DNS provider hostname and paste in the NextDNS endpoint you copied from the NextDNS dashboard (xxxxxx.dns.nextdns.io).
5. Save and exit: Tap Save to apply the change. Your phone will now use NextDNS for all DNS lookups, including in Chrome. Any sites you’ve blocked in your NextDNS settings won’t load in the browser.
6. Test it: Try visiting a blocked URL in Chrome. If everything’s set up correctly, the site should fail to load (or be filtered) because NextDNS is now handling and blocking those DNS requests based on your rules.

✔️ Why this works: Android’s Private DNS feature (available on Android 9 and later) lets you specify a secure DNS provider, and when you set it to a service like NextDNS with blocklists configured, you essentially filter and block sites before the browser even tries to load them.

Note: Some networks or carriers may interfere with custom DNS, so if you have connection trouble, check your DNS hostname spelling or switch back to “Automatic” and try again. This setup works for all apps and browsers on your Android device (not just Chrome) and gives you a flexible way to block unwanted URLs without a separate app continuously running in the background.

How to block a URL in Chrome (iPhone)

Because iOS doesn’t let you block sites directly inside Chrome, the best solution is to use an app like “Freedom,” which can block websites system-wide (including in Chrome) by starting a blocking session with your custom site list.

Using Freedom to block URLs on iPhone:

1. Download Freedom from the App Store: Open the App Store, search for “Freedom: Screen Time Control”, and install it on your iPhone. This app is designed to block distracting apps and sites across your device.

2. Sign in or create an account: Open the Freedom app and log in with your email. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one right from the app.

3. Give screen time permissions: Freedom uses Apple’s Screen Time settings to block apps and websites. When prompted, tap Allow Screen Time and follow the iOS prompts to grant the app the permissions it needs. This step is required for the app to block URLs inside browsers like Chrome.

4. Create a blocklist:

• Tap the Blocklists tab in the app.
• Tap Add New Blocklist to make a custom list.
• On the blocklist screen, scroll until you see options to add websites.
• Enter the exact, unique URL you want to block (e.g., example.com).
• Add more URLs if needed, then tap Save.

5. Start a blocking session:

• Go to the Start Session tab.
• Choose the blocklist you just created.
• Pick your session length (how long the block should stay active).
• Tap Start. Freedom will now block the sites in that list on your iPhone (including in Chrome) for the duration of the session.

6. Test it in Chrome: Open Chrome and try to visit one of the blocked URLs. Freedom should stop the site from loading and show a block screen instead.

Note: Freedom uses your iPhone’s Screen Time system and, optionally, a local VPN or profile to enforce blocks, so please make sure you grant the permissions it requests. You can edit or add new blocklists at any time and start new sessions to keep unwanted sites blocked whenever you need.

How to block a website in Chrome without an extension

Chrome doesn’t have a built-in “block this site” option or button, so if you prefer not to use an extension, you’ve still got a few solid workarounds. 

These methods work outside Chrome itself and will prevent certain sites from loading even when no extension is installed.

1. Edit your computer’s hosts file (system-level block)
2. Use parental controls or supervised accounts
3. SafeSearch & content filtering (lighter filtering)
4. Block sites at your router or network level

Here’s how to block sites at your router or network level:

If you want to stop a site for everyone on your Wi-Fi, you can log into your router settings and use its website blocking or parental control tools.

1. Find your router’s admin page (often something like 192.168.1.1).
2. Log in with your credentials.
3. Look for “Website Block,” “URL Filtering,” or “Parental Controls”.
4. Add the URLs you want to block.

This stops access on all devices connected to that network (including Chrome) without touching the browser itself.

Why block URLs in Google Chrome?

Blocking specific URLs in Chrome isn’t just a random tech trick; it’s something a lot of people do for clear, practical reasons. 

No matter if you’re trying to stay focused, protect yourself or others from harmful sites, or manage access across a group of users, blocking URLs gives you control over what can be loaded in your browser.

What happens when you block a URL in Google Chrome?

When you block a URL in Chrome (whether using tools, settings, or network rules) here’s what typically happens:

Access is prevented

Chrome simply won’t load the blocked website. Instead of letting the page load, the browser will stop the request and display an error or a blocking message. This is the core result of URL blocking! You attempt to visit the address, and Chrome stops it from opening.

Distractions and unwanted content are kept away

By stopping particular sites from loading, you won’t be pulled into time-wasting or inappropriate pages. Many people use this to stay productive or to protect family members, especially kids, from content they shouldn’t see.

Security threats are lowered

Blocking malicious or phishing URLs stops Chrome from attempting to connect to sites known for malware or risky content. Many URL filtering systems will redirect blocked requests to a warning or safe page instead of letting Chrome navigate normally.

In short, blocking a URL in Chrome changes the browsing experience at the network access level. Chrome doesn’t complete the connection to the blocked address, keeping you away from whatever page or content you don’t want to see.

Best practices for blocking URLs effectively in Chrome

When you’re blocking URLs, you want to think not just about how to block them, but also where and how well each method works. Whether it’s just in your browser, across your whole device, or even for everyone on your network.

Method	Scope	Difficulty	Best For
Browser extensions (BlockSite, StayFocusd, etc.)	Chrome only	Easy	Personal use, quick setups
Edit hosts file	Entire computer (all browsers)	Medium	System-wide block without extensions
Router/network-level block	All devices on the network	Medium	Families or shared networks
DNS filtering (OpenDNS, CleanBrowsing, NextDNS)	All devices using that DNS	Medium	ISP-independent network-wide filtering
Parental controls/Family Link	Device or account level	Easy	Parents managing kids’ browsing
Chrome managed policies (e.g., Admin/Group Policy/JSON)	Managed environments	Advanced	Businesses, schools, large deployments
SafeSearch / content filters	Search results only	Very easy	Light filtering (explicit content)

Quick tips to block URLs effectively:

✔ Combine methods: For instance, use DNS filtering at the network level plus Chrome extensions on personal devices for stronger coverage.

✔ Use strong permissions: Set passwords or admin restrictions, so others can’t easily turn off blocks (especially handy with parental controls or extensions).

✔ Test your blocks: After setting up any method, try accessing the blocked URL in Chrome to make sure the block is working as expected.

✔ Keep rules updated: Whether it’s a blocklist in a DNS service or a router, check it occasionally to remove outdated blocks or add new ones.

Wrapping up

Blocking URLs in Chrome doesn’t have to be confusing anymore. If you’re trying to stay focused, keep someone safe, manage access across devices, or set rules for an entire network, there’s a method that fits your needs. 

From browser tools and system settings to DNS filtering and parental controls, this guide walked you through every practical approach you can use right now. 

The goal is simple: give you control over what loads (and what doesn’t) in Chrome, so your browsing stays intentional and safe.

If you’re also looking to take complete control of the links you share, give Replug a try now! It’s a reliable link management platform and URL shortener that lets you create branded short links in seconds and track every click with ease.

Frequently asked questions