No, we haven't become puritans overnight or anything like that. In fact, on more than one occasion we have shared resources to browse safely, privately, and by extension, freely. However, the little ones at home are digital natives to the core, and when they pour their immense curiosity onto the Web, they can end up in places that are not entirely appropriate. For that and many other reasons, today we are going to explain to you how to block porn on PC and Android. The first step is to understand a fundamental truth....
You Can't Win
Honestly, you can't. Besides fighting the creativity, curiosity, and improvisation skills of kids who absorb technical details like sponges, you'll also have to deal with the natural limitations of all available tools.
No blocking or filtering method is 100 percent effective. If you decide to enable "per device" protections, all they have to do is use another one. If you try to control the WiFi, mobile networks are wide open, available 24/7. Browser extensions? They're easy to remove. DNS? It changes in a couple of clicks. HOSTS file? Notepad is their mortal enemy. Even if you go to extremes like turning off the modem/router or hijacking the computer's keyboard (my mother used to do that), they'll find an alternative.
So, what's the best option? Sell your defeat dearly, of course. Beyond its limitations, blocking porn (or specific sites) is an interesting exercise, and there's always something new to learn. Are you ready? Let's begin.
OpenDNS Family Shield
Since it's a DNS-based solution, OpenDNS Family Shield is easy to bypass and doesn't leave much room for customization. However, its advantages are enormous: fast, free, requires no maintenance, and receives constant updates. How do we configure it? Very simple:
- Primary DNS: 208.67.222.123
- Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.123
The best part is that you can use it per connection, per device, or at the modem/router level. The latter route is recommended by OpenDNS to protect your entire household, including computers, mobile devices, consoles, Smart TVs, and anything that connects to the Web with automatic DNS configuration.
If you're wondering how well it works, the answer is "quite well". Our acid test was based on a round of visits to the MindGeek network portals, and almost all of them were blocked by OpenDNS. The cracks in its armor are more evident when we move on to exploring alternative content like hentai and Western comics, but it's a fairly solid "first layer" of protection.
DD-WRT (and Similar Firmware)
We previously explained how to install DD-WRT on your router to extend its life and add features the original manufacturer never implemented. One of those features is the equivalent of parental controls, which, in addition to helping you block porn, also allows you to filter specific sites and set connectivity schedules.
It's a powerful tool, but it's not very friendly when it comes to configuration. The only official tutorial available is in English, and there's nothing automatic here: you have to activate profiles, add the devices that will be subject to filtering, and enter all the sites and keywords associated one by one.
If you don't have DD-WRT or can't install it, don't worry: it's possible that your router has a similar parental control mechanism, but you'll need to consult its manual or visit the manufacturer's official page to find out. If that doesn't help, well...
HOSTS File
A classic: open Notepad with elevated privileges, edit the HOSTS file (same old path, "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc"), and add 0.0.0.0 on each line, followed by the site or domain you want to block. The problem is that there are many porn sites out there, and the editing process will quickly become a nightmare.
Luckily, the Web has already done the heavy lifting for us. The Hosts project by Steven Black serves as a repository for more than a dozen HOSTS files that block all kinds of sites. One of those HOSTS files focuses exclusively on porn, but you can use combined lists that filter gambling sites, fake news, and social networks. The HOSTS file to block porn has over 100,000 entries, and it's a striking example of brute force.
Blocking Porn on Android
There's no point in denying it: Android is a sieve. Any young person who masters Google's operating system already knows how to install an alternative browser, set up a VPN, or use Tor. The best I can recommend right now to block porn on Android is to apply all the suggestions we've mentioned, backed by some high-profile apps.
At the top of the list is none other than Google Family Link, Mountain View's official resource. With a good Family Link configuration on the device, the use of parental controls in the Play Store, and enabling SafeSearch, many adult sites will be automatically filtered on the device, but you need to keep an eye on it.
Two other apps I'd like to mention are Hosts Go, which lets you configure a HOSTS file without root, and BlockSite, which blocks sites and sets time limits. BlockSite also has a very popular Chrome-compatible extension, with millions of downloads.
In Summary: The First Line of Defense Is You
We're convinced that all these resources for blocking porn on PC and Android will be very useful to you, but don't forget: nothing can replace you. A good conversation at the right moment will save you more than one headache. Good luck!
