This article shows you how to block access to a website using the desktop version of the Firefox browser. Since the configuration settings of the latter do not integrate a functionality to block the display of a specific web page, it is necessary to use an extension called "Block Site" that can solve the problem. If in the future you need to access a blocked web page, you can use the same extension to restore access. Conversely, if you need to access a website that is blocked by third parties (for example your ISP or access control software), Firefox offers a built-in VPN service that you can use to get around the problem or you can use a proxy server.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Manage Access to a Web Page Using Block Site
Step 1. Launch Firefox
It features a blue globe icon wrapped in an orange fox.
Step 2. Go to the Firefox store page for Block Site installation
This is a third-party extension that can block access to specific web pages when using Firefox.
Step 3. Press the + Add to Firefox button
It is blue in color and is placed at the top center of the page.
Step 4. Press the Install button when prompted
It will appear in the upper left of the Firefox window.
Step 5. At the end of the installation press the OK button
At this point the Block Site extension will be part of the Firefox add-ons.
Step 6. Access the main program menu by pressing the ☰ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 7. Choose the Add-ons option
It is one of the items in the drop-down menu that appeared. This will bring up the Firefox "Manage Add-ons" tab.
Step 8. Locate the Block Site extension icon
It features two links in a chain and a red no entry sign. You may need to scroll through the list to find it.
Step 9. Press the Options button
It is located to the right of the Block Site extension icon.
If you are using a Mac, you will need to press the button Preferences.
Step 10. Scroll down the list to locate and select the "Add domains manually to block list" text field
It is located at the bottom of the page that appeared.
Step 11. Enter the URL of the website you want to block access from Firefox
Enter the full address including the prefix "www." and its suffix, for example ".com", ".it", ".net" or ".org".
For example, to block access to the official Facebook website, you will need to type in the following address www.facebook.com
Step 12. Press the + button
It's located to the right of the text field where you typed the URL. The website address entered will be immediately added to the "List of blocked domains" of the Block Site extension.
Repeat the process for all the sites or web pages you want to block
Step 13. Unblock access to one of the sites currently blocked by Block Site
If you need to access a web page that you have previously blocked, you can do so by following these simple instructions:
- Push the button ☰;
- Choose the option Additional components;
- Find the Block Site extension;
- Push the button Options or Preferences;
- Scroll to the "List of blocked domains" and locate the site or web page you want to unblock;
- At this point, click the icon in the shape of X located to the right of the URL.
Step 14. Try logging into a site you just unblocked
Click the Firefox address bar at the top of the window to highlight its contents, then type the URL of the site you just unblocked and press the Enter key. At this point you should be able to access the requested page again.
If not, try restarting Firefox
Method 2 of 3: Access a Website Using Proxy
Step 1. Launch Firefox
It features a blue globe icon wrapped in an orange fox.
Step 2. Log in to the HideMe website
Type the URL https://hide.me/it/proxy into the Firefox address bar.
Step 3. Enter the URL of the website you wish to access
Type it in the "Enter web address" text field visible in the center of the page.
You can choose to use a proxy server located in a different country by using the "Proxy Location" drop-down menu and selecting the option you prefer
Step 4. Press the Visit Anonymously button
It is yellow in color and is placed below the text field where you entered the site URL. This way you should be able to view the content of the requested web page.
Step 5. Consult the website you have selected
At the end of the loading of the requested page you should be able to consult its content or use its features as usual. However, it should be noted that the loading times will be much longer than normal.
Method 3 of 3: Access a Website Using a VPN Connection
Step 1. Launch Firefox
It features a blue globe icon wrapped in an orange fox.
Step 2. Access the main program menu by pressing the ☰ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the Options item
It is located in the center of the drop-down menu that appeared. The Firefox configuration settings page will appear.
If you are using a Mac or Linux computer, you will need to choose the option Preferences.
Step 4. Go to the General tab
It is visible on the left side of the "Options" tab.
Step 5. Scroll down to the "Proxy Server" section
This should be the last section of the "General" tab.
Step 6. Press the Settings… button
It is located to the right of the "Proxy Server" section.
Step 7. Select the "Manual proxy configuration" radio button
It is located at the top of the "Connection Settings" window that appeared.
Step 8. Enter the address of the VPN service to use
Type the VPN network address into the "HTTP Proxy" text field.
If you haven't signed up for the indicated VPN service yet, chances are you will need to do so before you can use it
Step 9. Indicate the communication port
Type the number of the port used by the chosen VPN service in the "Port" field.
Step 10. Select the "Use the same proxy for all protocols" checkbox
It is located below the "HTTP Proxy" text field.
Step 11. Press the OK button
At this point Firefox will be able to use the indicated VPN service to reroute all data traffic. This procedure should be able to grant you access to most of the websites that are blocked during normal browsing (including those that are blocked directly by the infrastructure of the network to which you are connected or those that are only accessible from certain geographical areas).
Advice
- Using the Block Site extension, you can block access to a web page by selecting an empty spot on it and choosing the option Block this domain from the context menu that will appear.
- You can temporarily disable the Block Site extension by pressing the button Deactivate located on the right of the relevant pane visible in the "Add-ons management" tab.
