[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":663},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guides:\u002Fguides\u002Fblock-websites-arc-brave-firefox-mac":3,"related:\u002Fguides\u002Fblock-websites-arc-brave-firefox-mac":648},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":620,"dateModified":621,"datePublished":621,"description":622,"extension":623,"eyebrow":624,"faq":625,"heading":638,"image":639,"lead":640,"meta":641,"navigation":642,"path":643,"seo":644,"stem":645,"updated":646,"__hash__":647},"guides\u002Fguides\u002Fblock-websites-arc-brave-firefox-mac.md","Block Websites in Arc, Brave, and Firefox on Mac",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":602},"minimark",[9,14,23,55,59,64,74,104,108,125,143,273,285,295,299,316,320,324,330,334,349,353,385,389,392,396,399,432,435,439,447,454,481,484,509,513,591,595,598],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"how-to-block-websites-in-arc-brave-and-firefox","How to block websites in Arc, Brave, and Firefox",[15,16,17,18,22],"p",{},"To block websites in Arc, Brave, or Firefox on a Mac, either set up a block inside each browser or block the sites once at the Mac level. Firefox has its own add-ons and a ",[19,20,21],"code",{},"WebsiteFilter"," policy. Brave and Arc run Chrome Web Store extensions and read Chromium-style policies. Brave Shields isn't a site blocker. If you switch between browsers, a Mac-level blocker covers all of them at once.",[24,25,26,37,43,49],"ol",{},[27,28,29,33,34,36],"li",{},[30,31,32],"strong",{},"Firefox:"," an add-on such as LeechBlock NG, or the ",[19,35,21],{}," policy.",[27,38,39,42],{},[30,40,41],{},"Brave:"," a Chrome Web Store extension, or Brave's policy support.",[27,44,45,48],{},[30,46,47],{},"Arc:"," a Chrome Web Store extension, or Arc's group policies.",[27,50,51,54],{},[30,52,53],{},"All three:"," the hosts file or a system-level blocker such as Cactus.",[10,56,58],{"id":57},"block-websites-in-firefox-on-a-mac","Block websites in Firefox on a Mac",[60,61,63],"h3",{"id":62},"with-an-add-on","With an add-on",[15,65,66,73],{},[67,68,72],"a",{"href":69,"rel":70},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.proginosko.com\u002Fleechblock\u002F",[71],"nofollow","LeechBlock NG"," is free and lets you block sets of sites at set times and days.",[24,75,76,83,86,101],{},[27,77,78,79,82],{},"Open addons.mozilla.org in Firefox, find LeechBlock NG, and click ",[30,80,81],{},"Add to Firefox",".",[27,84,85],{},"In its options, add the domains and set the times and days.",[27,87,88,89,92,93,96,97,100],{},"Open ",[30,90,91],{},"Add-ons and themes",", click the add-on, and set ",[30,94,95],{},"Run in Private Windows"," to ",[30,98,99],{},"Allow",". Firefox add-ons don't run in private windows unless you allow them.",[27,102,103],{},"Test in a normal window and a private window.",[60,105,107],{"id":106},"with-the-websitefilter-policy","With the WebsiteFilter policy",[15,109,110,111,116,117,120,121,124],{},"Firefox's enterprise ",[67,112,115],{"href":113,"rel":114},"https:\u002F\u002Fmozilla.github.io\u002Fpolicy-templates\u002F#websitefilter",[71],"WebsiteFilter policy"," blocks pages without an add-on, so there is no add-on to disable. It uses match patterns, and ",[19,118,119],{},"*:\u002F\u002F*.youtube.com\u002F*"," covers ",[19,122,123],{},"youtube.com"," and its subdomains.",[24,126,127,130,136],{},[27,128,129],{},"Quit Firefox.",[27,131,132,133,82],{},"In Terminal, run ",[19,134,135],{},"sudo mkdir -p \u002FApplications\u002FFirefox.app\u002FContents\u002FResources\u002Fdistribution",[27,137,138,139,142],{},"Run ",[19,140,141],{},"sudo nano \u002FApplications\u002FFirefox.app\u002FContents\u002FResources\u002Fdistribution\u002Fpolicies.json"," and paste:",[144,145,150],"pre",{"className":146,"code":147,"language":148,"meta":149,"style":149},"language-json shiki shiki-themes material-theme-lighter material-theme material-theme-palenight","{\n  \"policies\": {\n    \"WebsiteFilter\": {\n      \"Block\": [\n        \"*:\u002F\u002F*.youtube.com\u002F*\",\n        \"*:\u002F\u002F*.x.com\u002F*\",\n        \"*:\u002F\u002F*.reddit.com\u002F*\"\n      ]\n    }\n  }\n}\n","json","",[19,151,152,161,180,195,212,226,238,249,255,261,267],{"__ignoreMap":149},[153,154,157],"span",{"class":155,"line":156},"line",1,[153,158,160],{"class":159},"sMK4o","{\n",[153,162,164,167,171,174,177],{"class":155,"line":163},2,[153,165,166],{"class":159},"  \"",[153,168,170],{"class":169},"spNyl","policies",[153,172,173],{"class":159},"\"",[153,175,176],{"class":159},":",[153,178,179],{"class":159}," {\n",[153,181,183,186,189,191,193],{"class":155,"line":182},3,[153,184,185],{"class":159},"    \"",[153,187,21],{"class":188},"sBMFI",[153,190,173],{"class":159},[153,192,176],{"class":159},[153,194,179],{"class":159},[153,196,198,201,205,207,209],{"class":155,"line":197},4,[153,199,200],{"class":159},"      \"",[153,202,204],{"class":203},"sbssI","Block",[153,206,173],{"class":159},[153,208,176],{"class":159},[153,210,211],{"class":159}," [\n",[153,213,215,218,221,223],{"class":155,"line":214},5,[153,216,217],{"class":159},"        \"",[153,219,119],{"class":220},"sfazB",[153,222,173],{"class":159},[153,224,225],{"class":159},",\n",[153,227,229,231,234,236],{"class":155,"line":228},6,[153,230,217],{"class":159},[153,232,233],{"class":220},"*:\u002F\u002F*.x.com\u002F*",[153,235,173],{"class":159},[153,237,225],{"class":159},[153,239,241,243,246],{"class":155,"line":240},7,[153,242,217],{"class":159},[153,244,245],{"class":220},"*:\u002F\u002F*.reddit.com\u002F*",[153,247,248],{"class":159},"\"\n",[153,250,252],{"class":155,"line":251},8,[153,253,254],{"class":159},"      ]\n",[153,256,258],{"class":155,"line":257},9,[153,259,260],{"class":159},"    }\n",[153,262,264],{"class":155,"line":263},10,[153,265,266],{"class":159},"  }\n",[153,268,270],{"class":155,"line":269},11,[153,271,272],{"class":159},"}\n",[24,274,275,282],{"start":197},[27,276,277,278,281],{},"Save, open Firefox, and go to ",[19,279,280],{},"about:policies",". WebsiteFilter should be listed as active.",[27,283,284],{},"Open a blocked site to test.",[15,286,287,288,291,292,294],{},"Mozilla documents ",[19,289,290],{},"policies.json"," in this location and allows up to 1,000 entries per list. Managed Macs can set the same policy with a configuration profile instead. The policy has no schedule, applies only to Firefox, and an admin can delete the file. Check ",[19,293,280],{}," again after Firefox updates.",[60,296,298],{"id":297},"watch-firefoxs-dns-over-https","Watch Firefox's DNS over HTTPS",[15,300,301,302,307,308,311,312,315],{},"Firefox can resolve names with its own DNS over HTTPS, and it turns this on by default in some regions, including the US. That can skip the hosts file, which Mac-level blockers rely on. SelfControl's ",[67,303,306],{"href":304,"rel":305},"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002FSelfControlApp\u002Fselfcontrol\u002Fwiki\u002FFAQ",[71],"FAQ"," warns that it can make blocks \"unreliable or fail entirely.\" If a site is blocked in Safari but loads in Firefox, open ",[30,309,310],{},"Settings > Privacy & Security",", find ",[30,313,314],{},"DNS over HTTPS",", turn it off, and test again.",[10,317,319],{"id":318},"block-websites-in-brave-on-a-mac","Block websites in Brave on a Mac",[60,321,323],{"id":322},"brave-shields-is-not-a-site-blocker","Brave Shields is not a site blocker",[15,325,326,327,329],{},"Brave Shields blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting. It is not designed to block a site you choose, such as ",[19,328,123],{},", and it has no schedule. You need one of the options below.",[60,331,333],{"id":332},"with-an-extension","With an extension",[15,335,336,337,340,341,344,345,348],{},"Brave installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store, so the same blockers work. Install one, add your sites, then open ",[19,338,339],{},"brave:\u002F\u002Fextensions",", click ",[30,342,343],{},"Details",", and turn on ",[30,346,347],{},"Allow in Private",". Test in a normal window and a private window.",[60,350,352],{"id":351},"with-a-policy","With a policy",[15,354,355,356,361,362,365,366,369,370,374,375,96,378,380,381,384],{},"Brave's help center documents ",[67,357,360],{"href":358,"rel":359},"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.brave.app\u002Fhc\u002Fen-us\u002Farticles\u002F360039248271-Group-Policy",[71],"group policy support"," for Chromium policies such as ",[19,363,364],{},"URLBlocklist",". On a Mac, Brave reads them from its own preference domain, ",[19,367,368],{},"com.brave.Browser",". You can use the configuration profile from the ",[67,371,373],{"href":372},"\u002Fguides\u002Fhow-to-block-websites-on-mac-chrome","Chrome guide"," and change ",[19,376,377],{},"com.google.Chrome",[19,379,368],{},". After you install it, check ",[19,382,383],{},"brave:\u002F\u002Fpolicy"," to confirm Brave loaded the blocklist.",[60,386,388],{"id":387},"braves-tor-windows","Brave's Tor windows",[15,390,391],{},"Brave can open a private window with Tor. That traffic goes through the Tor network, so Mac-level blocks based on the hosts file or firewall rules won't stop it. A Brave policy or extension may still apply there, so test it.",[10,393,395],{"id":394},"block-websites-in-arc-on-a-mac","Block websites in Arc on a Mac",[15,397,398],{},"Arc is built on Chromium and installs extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store, so a Chrome blocking extension works the same way. Open the extension's settings, add your sites, and allow it in incognito windows if Arc shows that option.",[15,400,401,402,407,408,411,412,414,415,418,419,421,422,424,425,427,428,431],{},"Arc's help center has a page on setting ",[67,403,406],{"href":404,"rel":405},"https:\u002F\u002Fresources.arc.net\u002Fhc\u002Fen-us\u002Farticles\u002F22353769256471-How-To-Set-Arc-Group-Policies",[71],"Arc group policies"," through ",[19,409,410],{},"defaults write",", with ",[19,413,364],{}," as one of its examples. Its example spells the key ",[19,416,417],{},"URLBLocklist",", and policy names are case-sensitive, so type ",[19,420,364],{},". The ",[67,423,373],{"href":372}," explains why Chromium treats ",[19,426,410],{}," policies as recommended rather than enforced. After setting a policy, open ",[19,429,430],{},"arc:\u002F\u002Fpolicy"," to see whether Arc picked it up.",[15,433,434],{},"Keep Arc's status in mind. In May 2025, The Browser Company said it had stopped active development of Arc to focus on its newer browser, Dia, and Atlassian announced that September that it was buying the company. Arc still gets Chromium security updates. A browser in maintenance mode is a reason to prefer a block that doesn't depend on it.",[10,436,438],{"id":437},"block-all-three-at-once-at-the-mac-level","Block all three at once at the Mac level",[15,440,441,442,446],{},"A Mac-level block works below the browser, so Arc, Brave, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome all get the same rule. Private windows, guest profiles, and any browser you install next week are covered too. The free route is the hosts file. ",[67,443,445],{"href":444},"\u002Fguides\u002Fwebsite-blocker-without-extension-mac","Website blockers that don't need an extension"," compares it with DNS filters and system-level apps.",[15,448,449,450,82],{},"Cactus for Mac blocks sites on a recurring schedule with the hosts file and the macOS packet filter. You set the days and hours once, such as every weekday from 09:00 to 17:00, and the block starts and ends on its own in every browser. It has no off switch during a block, though a Mac administrator can still remove it. See ",[67,451,453],{"href":452},"\u002Fhow-cactus-blocks","how Cactus blocks websites",[15,455,456,457,460,461,464,465,468,469,472,473,476,477,82],{},"Cactus blocks each domain and its ",[19,458,459],{},"www."," version, plus ",[19,462,463],{},"m.youtube.com"," for YouTube and ",[19,466,467],{},"twitter.com"," for X. Other hosts, such as ",[19,470,471],{},"youtu.be"," or ",[19,474,475],{},"old.reddit.com",", need their own entries. It blocks whole sites, not paths, has one schedule, doesn't block apps, and costs $19.99 once. For other scheduled tools, see ",[67,478,480],{"href":479},"\u002Fguides\u002Fblock-websites-on-a-schedule-mac","blocking websites on a schedule",[15,482,483],{},"Before relying on any Mac-level block, check each browser:",[485,486,487,492,498,503],"ul",{},[27,488,489,491],{},[30,490,32],{}," DNS over HTTPS setting, as above.",[27,493,494,497],{},[30,495,496],{},"Brave and Arc:"," look for a secure DNS setting in the browser's privacy or security settings, and turn it off if a block fails only there.",[27,499,500,502],{},[30,501,41],{}," remember that Tor windows bypass it.",[27,504,505,508],{},[30,506,507],{},"All browsers:"," VPNs and proxies send traffic around address-based rules.",[10,510,512],{"id":511},"compare-the-options-by-browser","Compare the options by browser",[514,515,516,538],"table",{},[517,518,519],"thead",{},[520,521,522,526,529,532,535],"tr",{},[523,524,525],"th",{},"Browser",[523,527,528],{},"Extension route",[523,530,531],{},"Policy route",[523,533,534],{},"Built-in blocking",[523,536,537],{},"Mac-level caveat",[539,540,541,559,576],"tbody",{},[520,542,543,547,550,553,556],{},[544,545,546],"td",{},"Firefox",[544,548,549],{},"Add-ons, allow in private windows",[544,551,552],{},"WebsiteFilter in policies.json",[544,554,555],{},"None for chosen sites",[544,557,558],{},"DNS over HTTPS may skip hosts",[520,560,561,564,567,570,573],{},[544,562,563],{},"Brave",[544,565,566],{},"Chrome Web Store, allow in Private",[544,568,569],{},"URLBlocklist on com.brave.Browser",[544,571,572],{},"Shields blocks ads and trackers, not chosen sites",[544,574,575],{},"Tor windows bypass it",[520,577,578,581,584,586,588],{},[544,579,580],{},"Arc",[544,582,583],{},"Chrome Web Store",[544,585,406],{},[544,587,555],{},[544,589,590],{},"Test after updates",[10,592,594],{"id":593},"which-approach-should-you-use","Which approach should you use?",[15,596,597],{},"If you use one of these browsers and want something free, use an extension with private windows allowed, or a policy if you want a block with no toggle. If you use two or more, or you'd open another browser the moment one says no, block at the Mac level. Then test every browser you use, in a private window, before you count on it.",[599,600,601],"style",{},"html pre.shiki code .sMK4o, html code.shiki .sMK4o{--shiki-light:#39ADB5;--shiki-default:#89DDFF;--shiki-dark:#89DDFF}html pre.shiki code .spNyl, html code.shiki .spNyl{--shiki-light:#9C3EDA;--shiki-default:#C792EA;--shiki-dark:#C792EA}html pre.shiki code .sBMFI, html code.shiki .sBMFI{--shiki-light:#E2931D;--shiki-default:#FFCB6B;--shiki-dark:#FFCB6B}html pre.shiki code .sbssI, html code.shiki .sbssI{--shiki-light:#F76D47;--shiki-default:#F78C6C;--shiki-dark:#F78C6C}html pre.shiki code .sfazB, html code.shiki .sfazB{--shiki-light:#91B859;--shiki-default:#C3E88D;--shiki-dark:#C3E88D}html .light .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-light);background: var(--shiki-light-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-light-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-light-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-light-text-decoration);}html.light .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-light);background: var(--shiki-light-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-light-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-light-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-light-text-decoration);}html .default .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-default);background: var(--shiki-default-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-default-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-default-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-default-text-decoration);}html .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-default);background: var(--shiki-default-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-default-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-default-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-default-text-decoration);}html .dark .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-dark);background: var(--shiki-dark-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-dark-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-dark-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-dark-text-decoration);}html.dark .shiki span {color: var(--shiki-dark);background: var(--shiki-dark-bg);font-style: var(--shiki-dark-font-style);font-weight: var(--shiki-dark-font-weight);text-decoration: var(--shiki-dark-text-decoration);}",{"title":149,"searchDepth":163,"depth":163,"links":603},[604,605,610,616,617,618,619],{"id":12,"depth":163,"text":13},{"id":57,"depth":163,"text":58,"children":606},[607,608,609],{"id":62,"depth":182,"text":63},{"id":106,"depth":182,"text":107},{"id":297,"depth":182,"text":298},{"id":318,"depth":163,"text":319,"children":611},[612,613,614,615],{"id":322,"depth":182,"text":323},{"id":332,"depth":182,"text":333},{"id":351,"depth":182,"text":352},{"id":387,"depth":182,"text":388},{"id":394,"depth":163,"text":395},{"id":437,"depth":163,"text":438},{"id":511,"depth":163,"text":512},{"id":593,"depth":163,"text":594},"Block websites on Mac","2026-10-17","How to block websites in Arc, Brave, and Firefox on a Mac: per-browser extensions and policies, why Brave Shields is not a site blocker, and one fix for all.","md","Arc, Brave, and Firefox guide",[626,629,632,635],{"q":627,"a":628},"Does Brave have a built-in website blocker?","Not for sites you choose. Brave Shields blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting. To block a site such as youtube.com, use a Chrome Web Store extension, Brave's policy support, or a Mac-level blocker.",{"q":630,"a":631},"Can you block websites in Arc browser?","Yes. Arc installs extensions from the Chrome Web Store, so Chrome blocking extensions work there. A Mac-level blocker also covers Arc without anything installed in the browser.",{"q":633,"a":634},"How do I block a website in Firefox on a Mac without an add-on?","Use Firefox's WebsiteFilter policy in a policies.json file inside the Firefox app, or block the site at the Mac level. Check about:policies to confirm Firefox loaded the policy.",{"q":636,"a":637},"Will one website blocker work in Arc, Brave, and Firefox at the same time?","A Mac-level blocker will, because it works below the browser. Check each browser's secure DNS setting, and remember that Brave's Tor windows route traffic around Mac-level blocks.","How to block websites in Arc, Brave, and Firefox on Mac","editorial","Most blocking guides assume Safari or Chrome. Arc, Brave, and Firefox each have their own options, and their own gaps. If you use more than one of them, a single block at the Mac level is simpler.",{},true,"\u002Fguides\u002Fblock-websites-arc-brave-firefox-mac",{"title":5,"description":622},"guides\u002Fblock-websites-arc-brave-firefox-mac","October 17, 2026","VwYUhyybBFvjet5ZNSVbgdJxIL7JQlKpS9kJ3K6GzMc",[649,654,658],{"path":650,"title":651,"heading":652,"description":653,"category":620},"\u002Fguides\u002Fblock-websites-mac-terminal-hosts-file","Block Websites on Mac with Terminal and the Hosts File","How to block websites on Mac with Terminal and the hosts file","Block websites on a Mac from Terminal by editing \u002Fetc\u002Fhosts. Exact commands, IPv6 and www entries, DNS flush, why it often fails, and how to undo it.",{"path":479,"title":655,"heading":656,"description":657,"category":620},"How to Block Websites at Certain Times on Mac","How to block websites on a schedule on Mac","Block websites during work hours on a Mac. What Screen Time can and can't schedule, what changed in macOS 27, and which scheduled website blockers fill the gap.",{"path":659,"title":660,"heading":661,"description":662,"category":620},"\u002Fguides\u002Fhow-to-block-websites-on-mac","How to Block Websites on Mac or MacBook (2026)","How to block websites on Mac or MacBook","How to block websites on a Mac or MacBook with Screen Time, App Limits, the hosts file, an extension, or a recurring schedule. Steps, tradeoffs, and tests.",1792996904389]