How to Permanently Block Daily Mail on Every Device You Own

Blocking a specific news outlet like dailymail.co.uk is a common step for those seeking to improve their digital focus, manage parental controls, or simply curate a more intentional online environment. Depending on whether you want to restrict access on a single computer, a smartphone, or across an entire household Wi-Fi network, there are several technical methods ranging from simple browser extensions to advanced DNS filtering.

For those looking for an immediate solution: the most effective way to block the site on a single computer is using a browser extension like BlockSite or editing the system's "hosts" file. For mobile devices, utilizing the built-in Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) settings provides the most seamless experience.

Browser-Based Blocking for Immediate Results

Browser extensions represent the lowest barrier to entry for website blocking. They are ideal for users who primarily access the web through one or two main applications and want a visual interface to manage their blocked list.

Using Chrome Extensions for Domain Filtering

Google Chrome does not have a native "blacklist" feature in its standard settings. To block a domain, you must rely on the Chrome Web Store.

Search for Blockers: Extensions like BlockSite or StayFocusd are the industry standards.
Installation and Setup: Once installed, you navigate to the extension's dashboard. Under the "Block Sites" tab, you enter dailymail.co.uk and click the add button.
Refining the Block: Many of these extensions allow for "Scheduled Blocking," which can be useful if you only want to restrict access during work hours.
Password Protection: To prevent the urge to unblock the site, most extensions offer a password feature. In our testing, setting a long, complex password and storing it in a physical location—rather than a password manager—adds a necessary layer of friction.

Firefox and Edge Add-on Solutions

Microsoft Edge, being Chromium-based, can use the same extensions as Google Chrome. However, it also integrates with Microsoft Family Safety, which is discussed in the system-level section.

Firefox users have access to unique add-ons like LeechBlock NG. The advantage of LeechBlock is its highly granular control. You can set the browser to block the site after you have spent a certain number of minutes on it, or block it outright. To do this, you define a "Block Set," enter the URL, and set the condition to "All the time."

The primary limitation of browser-based blocking is that it only applies to that specific browser. If a user opens a different browser—for instance, switching from Chrome to Edge—the block will not follow them.

Operating System Level Blocking for Robust Control

For a more "permanent" feel that affects every browser installed on a machine, system-level blocking is required. This method is harder to bypass than a simple extension.

Modifying the Windows Hosts File

The "hosts" file is a plain text file used by the operating system to map hostnames to IP addresses. By mapping dailymail.co.uk to a non-existent local IP address, you effectively prevent the computer from ever reaching the site's real servers.

Open Notepad as Administrator: Search for "Notepad" in the Start menu, right-click it, and select "Run as administrator." This is a critical step; without admin privileges, Windows will prevent you from saving changes to system files.
Navigate to the File: In Notepad, go to File > Open. Navigate to the following path: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
View All Files: Ensure the file type dropdown (next to the filename box) is set to "All Files (.)" instead of "Text Documents (*.txt)".
Edit the Hosts File: Open the file named hosts. Scroll to the very bottom and add the following lines:
- 127.0.0.1 dailymail.co.uk
- 127.0.0.1 www.dailymail.co.uk
Save and Flush DNS: Save the file. To make the changes take effect immediately, open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns.

By directing the traffic to 127.0.0.1 (the "localhost" or the computer itself), the browser will return a "Connection Refused" error whenever someone attempts to load the site.

Editing the macOS Hosts File via Terminal

On macOS, the process is similar but handled through the Terminal.

Open Terminal: You can find this in Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
Access the Hosts File: Type the command sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Enter. You will be prompted for your administrator password.
Enter the Block: Use the arrow keys to move to the bottom of the file. Type:
- 127.0.0.1 dailymail.co.uk
- 127.0.0.1 www.dailymail.co.uk
Save Changes: Press Control + O to write the changes, then Enter to confirm, and Control + X to exit the editor.
Clear DNS Cache: To ensure the Mac recognizes the change, type sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.

This method is highly effective because it works regardless of which browser is used (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and does not require any third-party software to be running in the background.

Mobile Device Restrictions for iOS and Android

Blocking websites on mobile devices requires a different approach, as users cannot easily edit system files like the hosts file without "jailbreaking" or "rooting" the device.

Setting Up Screen Time on iPhone and iPad

Apple’s Screen Time is an incredibly powerful tool for domain-level blocking.

Navigate to Settings: Go to Settings > Screen Time.
Content & Privacy Restrictions: Tap on this section and toggle it on.
Web Content: Go to Content Restrictions > Web Content.
Limit Adult Websites: Even if you are not blocking "adult" content specifically, selecting this option unlocks the "Never Allow" list.
Add Domain: Under "Never Allow," tap "Add Website" and enter dailymail.co.uk.
Locking the Settings: To prevent yourself or another user from simply navigating back here and removing the restriction, go back to the main Screen Time menu and tap "Use Screen Time Passcode." Set a four-digit code that is different from your phone's unlock code.

In our experience, this method also affects the "in-app" browsers found in apps like Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), providing a comprehensive block across the iOS ecosystem.

Using Digital Wellbeing and Third-Party Blockers on Android

Android's native "Digital Wellbeing" tools are more focused on time limits for apps rather than specific URL blocking. However, there are two effective workarounds:

Google Family Link: If managing a child's device, Family Link allows parents to block specific sites in Chrome.
Third-Party Apps: For personal use, apps like BlockSite or Freedom are necessary. These apps use a local VPN (Virtual Private Network) to intercept traffic and filter out the blocked domains.
- When setting up these apps, you must grant them "Accessibility" permissions. This allows the app to "see" the URL in the browser's address bar and close the tab if it matches your blacklist.
Private DNS: Modern Android versions (Android 9 and above) allow you to set a "Private DNS." By using a service like NextDNS, you can block domains at the DNS level directly in the phone's settings without installing extra apps.

Network-Wide Blocking via Router and DNS

If you want to ensure that no device—whether it’s a laptop, a guest's phone, or a smart TV—can access the site while connected to your home Wi-Fi, you must move the block to the network level.

Configuring Router Blacklists

Most modern routers (from brands like ASUS, TP-Link, or Netgear) include basic parental controls or "URL Filtering."

Access the Admin Panel: Open a browser and type your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with your admin credentials.
Locate Access Control: Look for tabs labeled "Parental Controls," "Firewall," or "Security."
URL Filter: There is usually an option to "Enable URL Filtering." Add dailymail.co.uk to the list.
Apply to All Devices: Ensure the rule is set to apply to all connected MAC addresses.

The downside of router-level blocking is that the interfaces can be clunky, and some lower-end routers only block "HTTP" traffic, meaning "HTTPS" sites (which most modern sites are) might slip through.

Utilizing NextDNS and OpenDNS for Network Filtering

DNS (Domain Name System) is the "phonebook" of the internet. When you type a URL, your device asks a DNS server for the IP address. By using a custom DNS provider, you can tell the "phonebook" to simply refuse to give you the address for certain sites.

NextDNS: This is a modern, user-friendly service. You create a free account, go to the "Denylist" tab, and add dailymail.co.uk. You then update your router’s DNS settings (usually found under "WAN" or "LAN" settings) to point to the NextDNS addresses provided.
OpenDNS (Cisco): A long-standing favorite. It works similarly but is slightly more technical to set up. Under the "Web Content Filtering" settings in your OpenDNS dashboard, you can select "Manage individual domains" and add the site to your "Always block" list.

DNS-level blocking is perhaps the most robust method because it does not rely on software running on the individual device. It stops the connection at the very first step of the web-loading process.

Managing Notifications and Subtle Distractions

Sometimes, a full block is not what is needed, or perhaps you have already blocked the site but find that "Breaking News" alerts are still popping up on your desktop.

Disabling Browser Notifications

If you have ever clicked "Allow" on a notification prompt from the site, they can send alerts even if the tab is closed.

Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications. Scroll down to the "Allow" list and remove or block the domain.
Safari: Go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Notifications. Find the entry in the list and change the permission to "Deny."

Avoiding "Clickbait" in Search Results

If you want to keep the site available but remove it from your Google search results, you can use a browser extension like "uBlacklist." This allows you to add specific domains to a list that will be hidden whenever you perform a search, ensuring that your research or casual browsing isn't interrupted by sources you wish to avoid.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Website Blocking

Even with the best setups, you might encounter issues where the site still appears.

The Problem of DNS Caching

Your computer and browser like to remember IP addresses to speed up browsing. If you block a site but it still loads, it’s likely because the "old" IP address is still stored in your cache.

Fix: Always flush your DNS cache (as described in the hosts file section) and clear your browser's "Cookies and Site Data" after setting up a block.

Mobile Data vs. Wi-Fi

A common point of confusion is when a site is blocked on a smartphone while on Wi-Fi (via router or DNS settings) but suddenly becomes accessible once the user leaves the house.

Fix: This is why device-level blocking (like Screen Time) is superior to network-level blocking for mobile devices. Screen Time works regardless of the connection type (LTE/5G or Wi-Fi).

VPNs and Proxies

If a user (such as a tech-savvy child) uses a VPN, it will bypass almost all local blocking methods, including hosts files and router-level DNS.

Fix: To prevent this, you must also block known VPN protocols or use a management tool that prevents the installation of new apps or VPN profiles on the device.

Summary of Blocking Methods

Method	Level of Difficulty	Effectiveness	Best For
Browser Extension	Easy	Moderate	Individual users, quick setup
Hosts File	Moderate	High	Blocking across all browsers on one PC/Mac
Screen Time (iOS)	Easy	Very High	iPhones, iPads, and parental control
Router Filter	Moderate	High	Entire household/all devices
DNS Filtering	Advanced	Very High	Advanced users, network-wide control

Selecting the right method depends on your technical comfort level and the specific device you use. For most, a combination of Screen Time on mobile and the Hosts file on desktop provides a near-impenetrable barrier that helps maintain a focused and healthy digital environment.

FAQ

Can I block just the comments section of the site? Blocking just a section of a website usually requires a "CSS hider" or an ad-blocker with custom rules (like uBlock Origin). You would use the "element picker" to select the comments area and create a permanent hide rule. However, for a complete "clean" experience, domain-level blocking is more reliable.

Is it possible to block the site on a Smart TV? Yes, but since Smart TVs rarely have "hosts" files or extension support, you must use the Router-Level or DNS-Based blocking methods. Once the router is configured to block the domain, the app or browser on the TV will fail to load the content.

Will blocking the site speed up my browsing? In some cases, yes. News sites often load a significant amount of tracking scripts, advertising banners, and auto-play videos. By blocking the domain at the DNS or hosts level, your browser never even attempts to download those assets, which can slightly reduce data usage and improve performance on older devices.

What if I need to access the site briefly? If you use the hosts file or DNS method, unblocking requires going back into the settings and reversing your steps. If you anticipate needing occasional access, a browser extension with a "pause" feature might be more practical than a hard system-level block.

Does incognito mode bypass these blocks? Incognito mode bypasses most browser extensions (unless you specifically enable them for incognito), but it cannot bypass hosts file modifications, router filters, or DNS-level blocks. System-wide methods remain active regardless of whether the browser is in private mode.