Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers from users of the Website Access Restriction Tool.

Question Categories

General Questions

What is the Website Access Restriction Tool?

The Website Access Restriction Tool is a software solution that helps users control and manage network access, allowing you to block specific websites, set access time limits, and improve productivity.

Does this tool have a browser extension?

No, this project does not include browser extension functionality. It is a standalone desktop application that works at the system level and can block website access in all browsers and applications.

Is this tool free?

Yes, the Website Access Restriction Tool is open-source free software. You can view the source code on GitHub and freely use, modify, and distribute it.

Which operating systems are supported?

Currently supports Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Please check the installation guide for specific version system requirements.

Installation Questions

How do I install the Website Access Restriction Tool?

Please refer to our Installation Guide, which contains detailed installation steps for different operating systems.

Do I need administrator rights for installation?

Yes, because the tool needs to work at the system level, the installation process usually requires administrator rights. On Windows, please right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator".

Can it be used portably?

Currently, the tool needs to be installed into the system to work properly. Future versions may consider providing a portable version.

Configuration Questions

How do I add websites to block?

You can add websites to block by editing the blocked_sites array in the configuration file. For detailed instructions, please refer to the Configuration Guide.

Can I set time limits?

Yes, you can use the schedule configuration option to enable or disable website blocking during specific time periods. For example, you can set it to block certain websites only during work hours.

How do I back up my configuration?

The configuration file is usually located in the application directory as config.json. You can simply copy this file to a safe location as a backup. To restore, just copy the backup file back to the original location.

Usage Questions

How do I temporarily disable website blocking?

You can temporarily disable website blocking through the "Pause" button in the application interface, or by setting the enabled option in the configuration file to false.

Why are some websites not being blocked?

There could be several reasons: incorrect URL format, the website uses HTTPS redirection, or the entry is disabled in the configuration. Please check the configuration file and ensure the URL format is correct.

Can I use wildcards?

Yes, you can use wildcards (*) to match multiple websites or subdomains. For example, *.example.com will block all subdomains of example.com.

Technical Questions

How does the tool block website access?

The tool blocks website access by modifying the system hosts file or using DNS filtering. When a user tries to access a blocked website, the system redirects the request to localhost or displays a blocking page.

Will it affect network performance?

In most cases, the tool has a negligible impact on network performance. However, enabling content filtering or using a large number of complex rules may slightly affect performance.

Can it be used with VPN?

This depends on how the VPN works. Some VPNs may bypass local DNS settings, causing the tool to not work properly. In this case, you may need to set up website blocking at the router level.

How can I get the source code?

The source code is available on GitHub: github.com/Yuanyuan5510/-3.7. Contributions and issue reports are welcome.

Still have questions?

If your question is not answered here, please check our troubleshooting guide or contact the support team.

Troubleshooting Glossary

Legacy Version Usage Instructions

We are committed to providing users with the best product experience and technical support. With the continuous development of technology, we have had to adjust our support strategy for older versions:

Versions No Longer Supported

Except for versions 1+ and 2+, all other older versions (including but not limited to v0.1-v1.0, v2.0-v2.9, etc.) are no longer supported. This means:

Reasons for Discontinuation

  1. Outdated Technology: Older versions are based on outdated technical architectures and cannot adapt to modern operating systems and browser environments
  2. Security Risks: Older versions have potential security vulnerabilities that cannot be fixed in a timely manner
  3. High Maintenance Costs: Maintaining multiple versions simultaneously diverts development resources, affecting the iteration speed of new versions
  4. Large Function Differences: Older versions have significant functional differences from the current version, resulting in high support costs

Recommended Upgrade Path

If you are still using an unsupported older version, we strongly recommend upgrading to the latest version:

  1. Back up your current configuration data (if any)
  2. Uninstall the old version of the software
  3. Download the latest version from our official website: https://websiteblocker.vercel.app/download
  4. Install the latest version and reconfigure your settings
Important Note

Continuing to use unsupported older versions may cause the software to not work properly, pose security risks, and may be incompatible with new operating systems. Please upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible for the best experience and security.