---
title: "Block URLs/Websites"
slug: "block-urlswebsites"
updated: 2026-03-11T07:34:34Z
published: 2026-03-11T07:34:34Z
canonical: "help.scalefusion.com/block-urlswebsites"
---

> ## 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 URLs/Websites

Use this script to block the websites defined in the script on the Linux machine.

> [!CAUTION]
> Note:
> 
> This document describes a legacy script-based approach to blocking websites on Linux devices. This method is being deprecated. For improved security, scalability, and centralized management, we recommend using [Secure Web Gateway (SWG)](/docs/secure-web-gateway).

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-054FHID5.png)
2. Or click [here](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/block_websites.sh) to download the file.

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Get the current username
USERNAME=$(whoami)

# Add the user to sudoers.d directory to restrict their permissions
echo "$USERNAME ALL=(ALL) /bin/echo 'Permission denied'" | sudo tee /etc/sudoers.d/block_websites >/dev/null

# Define the list of websites to block
WEBSITES=(
    "www.example.com"
    "www.facebook.com")

# Add entries to block the websites to hosts file
for website in "${WEBSITES[@]}"; do
    echo "0.0.0.0 $website" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts >/dev/null
done

# Flush DNS cache
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved.service

echo "Websites are now blocked."
```
3. In the script, replace the following placeholder:
  1. **WEBSITES=()**: Provide a list of URLs with each URL in a new line, that you want to block.
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.