Glossary
Below are explanations of terms and concepts used in the Website Access Restriction Tool.
A-D
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of definitions and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. In our tool, the API allows developers to programmatically configure and control website access restriction features.
Blacklist
A list containing websites or content that are blocked from access. Users can customize the blacklist or use predefined blacklists.
Content Filtering
A technique that blocks access based on webpage content rather than just URLs. Content filtering can analyze text, images, and other media content to determine whether access should be blocked.
DNS (Domain Name System)
A system that translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into computer-readable IP addresses. Our tool can block access to specific websites by modifying DNS resolution.
Domain Name
The address of a website, such as example.com. Domain names are the basic unit in website blocking rules.
E-H
Firewall
A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. Our tool is similar to an application layer firewall in some aspects, focusing on controlling website access.
Wildcard
Special characters (usually *) used in URL matching that can match any sequence of characters. For example, *.example.com will match all subdomains of example.com.
Hosts File
A special file in an operating system used to manually map domain names to IP addresses. Our tool can block access to specific websites by modifying the hosts file.
HTTPS
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, the secure version of HTTP that encrypts communication to protect data transmission. HTTPS websites may require special blocking techniques.
I-L
IP Address
A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Our tool can block website access by blocking specific IP addresses.
Keyword Filtering
A technique that blocks or allows content based on specific keywords or phrases. When webpage content contains prohibited keywords, access will be blocked.
Local DNS
A DNS server running on a local computer or network that can override public DNS resolution results. Our tool can use local DNS to block website access.
M-P
Regular Expression
A sequence of characters that defines a search pattern. In our tool, regular expressions can be used to create complex URL matching rules.
Proxy Server
A server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. Some proxy settings may affect the blocking effectiveness of our tool.
Whitelist
A list containing websites or content that are allowed to access. Opposite to a blacklist, whitelist mode only allows access to websites in the list and blocks all other websites.
Q-T
Query String
The part of a URL that comes after the question mark (?), used to pass parameters to the server. In some cases, query strings may need to be included in blocking rules.
Redirection
The process of automatically sending a user from one URL to another. Our tool can redirect requests for blocked websites to a local page or other specified URL.
Time-based Rules
Blocking rules based on time conditions, allowing website blocking to be enabled or disabled during specific time periods. For example, you can set up blocking of social media sites only during work hours.
U-Z
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
The address of a resource on the internet, such as https://www.example.com/page. URLs are the basic unit in website blocking rules.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A technology that creates an encrypted connection over a public network. VPNs may bypass certain website blocking mechanisms because they route traffic through external servers.
Subdomain
An additional part of a domain name, such as "blog" in blog.example.com. Wildcard rules can be used to block entire domains or specific subdomains.
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:
- No more security updates or bug fixes
- No more technical support or troubleshooting services
- No more feature or compatibility updates
Reasons for Discontinuation
- Outdated Technology: Older versions are based on outdated technical architectures and cannot adapt to modern operating systems and browser environments
- Security Risks: Older versions have potential security vulnerabilities that cannot be fixed in a timely manner
- High Maintenance Costs: Maintaining multiple versions simultaneously diverts development resources, affecting the iteration speed of new versions
- 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:
- Back up your current configuration data (if any)
- Uninstall the old version of the software
- Download the latest version from our official website: https://websiteblocker.vercel.app/download
- Install the latest version and reconfigure your settings
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.