---
title: "Block Multiple apps"
slug: "block-multiple-apps"
updated: 2024-10-10T09:34:57Z
published: 2024-10-10T09:34:57Z
canonical: "help.scalefusion.com/block-multiple-apps"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.scalefusion.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Block Multiple apps

Use this script to block multiple apps from launching on Linux machines.

1. Copy and save the contents below to a **UTF-8** editor like **notepad++** OR **Sublime Text** in Windows or **gedit** in Ubuntu.
  1. If you are using **notepad++** then use the bottom right panel to change the type to **Unix (LF)**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image-WX9QLPCA.png)
2. Or click [here](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/Template_Multiple_App_Block.sh) to download the file.

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Set the paths and other configurations
monitoring_script_path="/usr/local/bin/application_monitor.sh"
service_file="/etc/systemd/system/application_monitor.service"
log_file="/var/log/application_monitor.log"

# Note Make sure to enter correct process name of Application

# Set the process names of the applications
process1_name="APPLICATION_ProcessNAME1"
process2_name="APPLICATION_ProcessNAME2"

# Fetch the paths to the executables
process1_path=$(which APPLICATION_Process_NAME1)
process2_path=$(which APPLICATION_Process_NAME2)

# Write the monitoring script content to the file
cat <<EOF > "$monitoring_script_path"
#!/bin/bash

# Set the process names of the applications
process1_name="$process1_name"
process2_name="$process2_name"

# Fetch the paths to the executables
process1_path="$process1_path"
process2_path="$process2_path"

# Delay before starting monitoring loop (in seconds)
initial_delay=10

# Initial delay
sleep \$initial_delay

# Start monitoring loop
while true; do
    # Check if process1 is running and terminate it if it is
    if pgrep "\$process1_name" > /dev/null; then
        echo "\$(date +"%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S") - \$process1_name is running. Terminating..." >> "$log_file"
        # Terminate process1
        pkill "\$process1_name"
    fi

    # Check if process2 is running and terminate it if it is
    if pgrep "\$process2_name" > /dev/null; then
        echo "\$(date +"%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S") - \$process2_name is running. Terminating..." >> "$log_file"
        # Terminate process2
        pkill "\$process2_name"
    fi

    # Block execution of process1 executable
    chmod -x "\$process1_path"

    # Block execution of process2 executable
    chmod -x "\$process2_path"

    # Sleep for 24 hours
    sleep \$((24 * 60 * 60))

    # Restore execution permission for process1 executable
    chmod +x "\$process1_path"

    # Restore execution permission for process2 executable
    chmod +x "\$process2_path"
done
EOF

# Set execute permissions for the monitoring script
chmod +x "$monitoring_script_path"

# Write the service unit file
cat <<EOF > "$service_file"
[Unit]
Description=Application Monitor Service
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart="$monitoring_script_path"
Restart=always

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF

# Reload systemd
systemctl daemon-reload

# Enable and start the service
systemctl enable application_monitor.service
systemctl start application_monitor.service

# Check the status of the service
systemctl status application_monitor.service
```
3. In the script, replace the following placeholder:
  1. # Set the process names of the applications process1_name="APPLICATION_ProcessNAME1"

process2_name="APPLICATION_ProcessNAME2"
  2. # Fetch the paths to the executables process1_path=$(which APPLICATION_Process_NAME1)

process2_path=$(which APPLICATION_Process_NAME2)
  3. Reboot the device once the script has been published.
4. Follow [our guide](/docs/deploy-linux-shell-scripts-using-scalefusion#step-1-upload-and-deploy-the-script) to upload & publish the script using Scalefusion Dashboard.

> [!CAUTION]
> Note:
> 
> 1. Some of the scripts and their contents are sourced from internet and yes, our new friend ChatGPT.
> 2. Please validate the scripts on a test machine before deploying them on all your managed devices.
> 3. Scalefusion has tested these scripts, however Scalefusion will not be responsible for any loss of data or system malfunction that may arise due to the usage of these scripts.