General Discussion

IDemo

(16,926 posts)

59. How to block Facebook using the Hosts file

Fri May 18, 2012, 09:06 AM

May 2012

The location of the hosts file depends on your operation system.
Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
Note! Make a backup of the hosts file and put it somewhere safe, in case you mess up.

1. Open the hosts file using Notepad or other plain text editor.
2. Copy the following:
# block facebook
127.0.0.1 login.facebook.com
127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com
127.0.0.1 blog.facebook.com
127.0.0.1 apps.facebook.com
3. Paste it into the Hosts file after 127.0.0.1 localhost
4. Save and close the Hosts file.
5. Reboot your computer to apply the changes.
6. Try to open Facebook in a browser.

Note! Pay attention that Google Chrome may ignore the Hosts file.

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Why I absolutely HATE Facebook. [View all] NashvilleLefty May 2012 OP

I never thought about how much facebook would suck on a dial up connection. ScreamingMeemie May 2012 #1

I never thought about that either bigwillq May 2012 #19

It isn't so very hard to ignore it. ScreamingMeemie May 2012 #22

I hear it's entirely optional, the Facebook. nt Lex May 2012 #2

That's my point - it's NOT optional. NashvilleLefty May 2012 #6

I haven't experienced them. Lex May 2012 #7

Actually, you have, and are, right now. cleanhippie May 2012 #20

On my account I have "remove" chosen for "Social media tabs on threads (Twitter, Google+, Facebook)" Lex May 2012 #61

But you HAVE experienced them, contrary to your original claim. cleanhippie May 2012 #62

If you say so Lex May 2012 #63

Because its true, not because I say so. cleanhippie May 2012 #69

I have this little plug in from firefox that shows me EFerrari May 2012 #26

All you have to do, is log out. AtheistCrusader May 2012 #41

Ghostery add-on for Firefox. daaron May 2012 #55

Shhhh..... must not use truth when someone wants to rant. whistler162 May 2012 #17

Except it isn't. EFerrari May 2012 #25

If you don't like it, don't use it. It's that simple. HarveyDarkey May 2012 #3

Can you get ANYthing on Internet Exploder Lifelong Protester May 2012 #5

Alas, because of the Accelerator I am forced to use Earthlink's NashvilleLefty May 2012 #9

..... bigwillq May 2012 #18

Good example of a nice idea driven into the ground bhikkhu May 2012 #4

THANK you! It is a good idea NashvilleLefty May 2012 #10

Facebook Zucks! Amster Dan May 2012 #8

My only real complaint about FB is the cluttering bullshit that permeates the place... cynatnite May 2012 #11

Speak through a flower. See that facebook "like" icon on this page? napoleon_in_rags May 2012 #12

The sad thing is that companies are still using it NashvilleLefty May 2012 #27

I deactivated my account this week. I refuse to help those tax cheats get any richer. stopbush May 2012 #13

I was wishing this morning that sites would offer a FB-free version EFerrari May 2012 #14

Do you have FB turned off here at DU? Lasher May 2012 #29

True, I could turn it off here (thanks, guys). EFerrari May 2012 #31

No, I didn't know that you could! PLEASE NashvilleLefty May 2012 #34

It may be a feature for donors, I'm not sure. EFerrari May 2012 #36

Nope, don't have to be a donor Lasher May 2012 #47

How to opt out of social media buttons Lasher May 2012 #37

I just did it too. Brigid May 2012 #40

OK I just learned you don't have to be a donor Lasher May 2012 #46

Turned OFF Iwillnevergiveup May 2012 #43

Yes! Even if you don't have a FB account NashvilleLefty May 2012 #30

I've had the constant refreshing problem over the last couple of days WhoIsNumberNone May 2012 #15

My home PC is Windows7 and I am forced to use NashvilleLefty May 2012 #32

Have you tried the Windows version of Safari? GoneOffShore May 2012 #50

Here's an article one of my Facebook humans just shared WhoIsNumberNone May 2012 #66

me too AnotherDreamWeaver May 2012 #16

Totally agree KT2000 May 2012 #21

I commiserate. BadgerKid May 2012 #23

I have never Facebooked nor do I intend to Arctic Dave May 2012 #24

You might try the mobile site OriginalGeek May 2012 #28

Thanks, but that's not the problem. NashvilleLefty May 2012 #33

Well, I meant use the mobile site OriginalGeek May 2012 #35

Thanks for the tip. NashvilleLefty May 2012 #38

Oh I agree with you 100% on that. OriginalGeek May 2012 #60

I hate this restaurant! The food is terrible! Warren DeMontague May 2012 #39

Facebook isn't targeted to dialup users. AtheistCrusader May 2012 #42

My reasons for hating FAcebook....worst is no customer service when stuff goes wrong! Liberty Belle May 2012 #44

Not being on FB has it's own problems. raouldukelives May 2012 #45

I've not been on FB but what you describe sounds like some hack website from the jp11 May 2012 #48

Do I hear an "Amen"? Tell it, brother! Surya Gayatri May 2012 #49

That one Castle game JonLP24 May 2012 #51

dialup gives me shivers... belcffub May 2012 #52

I prefer Diaspora to facebook. Norrin Radd May 2012 #53

we started a congressional campaign by the use of facebook madrchsod May 2012 #54

Why I absolutely LOVE Facebook pinboy3niner May 2012 #56

My wall is filled with divorced women whining ileus May 2012 #57

Dial-up has become essentially useless. Odin2005 May 2012 #58

How to block Facebook using the Hosts file IDemo May 2012 #59

LeftinOH has sent you a request on Farmville. LeftinOH May 2012 #64

You are not alone. bvar22 May 2012 #65

I'm not on facebook either undergroundpanther May 2012 #67

How to fix the back button crap in IE laundry_queen May 2012 #68

Facebook is for people with that psychiatric disorder that requires incessant social contact FarCenter May 2012 #70