Porn Blocker Service: Full Guide for Restricting Adult Content.

Danial Zahoor
5 Dec, 2022

The Internet, besides its obvious advantages, is a strange place full of dangers. Even adults often get tricked by flashy banners or disgusted by nasty spam. What to say about children who come across explicit materials every other time they search for cartoons online. Porn is not something we want our kids to find out about at an early age and without supervision. So let’s talk about the most effective ways to block porn sites online and, as you will see, there are plenty of tools to choose from.

Turn on Google SafeSearch

First, we have to define how your child is accessing and searching for the information. Most likely, their primary search engine is Google, which has a great little feature  — SafeSearch. 

SafeSearch weeds mature content out of the search results. You just need to set up a separate Google account for your child and once it’s done simply perform the following:

  1. Open google.com on the PC and search for anything; 
  2. In the drop-down Settings menu select “Turn on SafeSearch”. 

Alternatively, you can follow this link and see how to turn on SafeSearch from your child’s Google account settings on different devices, including phone, computer, or even TV. 

Please note, that SafeSearch will only filter the Google search results in one web browser. Kids are still able to open shady websites by direct URL links, bypass the filter using an alternative web browser or search engine. For more protection, we will further look into the cross-platform solutions. 

How to block porn on iPhones and iPads?

Even if you weren’t purposely searching for adult websites or content, you may still come across it in the form of ads, pop-ups, or else. Triggers like these are scattered all over the Internet. There are numerous ways of avoiding and blocking this type of content for iPhone/iPad users like using DNS settings, specialized applications, etc. Here in this article, we’ll consider the most beneficial and useful tools.

Using DNS

If you want to mess with DNS settings, then the next section would help you to sort out the problem.

How to Block Porn Sites Using DNS with Services

DNS servers convert the IP addresses (a number that reflects the location of every website out there) into the URL, so we can conveniently find the websites online using their name. There are special DNS featuring the parents’ control services, as well. What the parents need to do to set up comprehensive content filtering, is to change the IP of their Internet access point to the safe one. 

         Windows DNS Configuration

  1. Open Settings > Network and Internet;
  2. Under Advanced settings find Change Adapter Options;
  3. Find your current Internet connection and double-click it, go to Properties;
  4. Select the “IP Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click Properties;
  5. Choose “Use the following DNS server addresses” and insert the DNS addresses from a safe and trusted provider;
  6. Click OK and exit network properties.

         MAC OSX DNS Configuration

  1. Open your System Preferences.
  2. Go to Network under Internet & Wireless.
  3. Find the current Internet connection in the left pane and then insert the IP Addresses from DNS Server, separated by a comma. (e.g. 123.45.678.90, 132.45.678.90).
  4. Hit Apply and exit Network settings.

Block the Access to Porn Sites on Android

  1. Go to your Android Settings.
  2. Open Wi-Fi settings.
  3. Find your current network connection and long-press it. Select Modify network.
  4. Tick the Show advanced options box.
  5. Switch the IP Settings from Dynamic to Static.
  6. Provide the IP Addresses from DNS Server in DNS1 & DNS2 fields and tap Save.
  7. Exit Wi-Fi settings.

Alternatively, you may install a Change DNS Android app which allows you to block porn and other dangerous materials for both WiFi and mobile data connections.

IP Addresses of the Most Popular Clean DNS Providers 

Now, it’s time to find the most reliable DNS Server for home use. There is a good variety of free and paid DNS providers online but beware that not all of them support the filter content feature. Here’s a brief review of the three most popular ones that can be used as your default porn blocker software:

         Open DNS

Open DNS is a web protection service operated by Cisco. Its portfolio includes solutions for content filtering designed both for individuals and businesses, extended paid plans with detailed usage statistics, and much more. The product you may start with is called Open DNS Home: it’s customizable and easy to use, as well as completely free of charge. You can sign up for the service and see the full list of its functions using this link. 

       The OpenDNS Family Shield DNS IP

Open DNS also offers a product designed specifically for the parents: Family Shield. It features the pre-installed porn blocker, as well as free DNS. Many users online describe Open DNS Family Shield as the fastest and simplest solution on the market. Follow this link to get started with the Open DNS FamilyShield but don’t forget to use their specific DNS servers, as follows:

  • 208.67.222.222
  • 208.67.220.220

Yandex Family DNS

Yandex, which is often called the “Russian Google”, also provides a high-class Family DNS service on a free-to-use basis. Using the servers in multiple European countries, Yandex algorithms filter the traffic and block most, if not all, of pornography and dangerous materials online. Similar to Open DNS, you can set the protection for the whole home network or separate devices using these IP addresses:

  • 77.88.8.7
  • 77.88.8.3

        CleanBrowsing Family Filter

CleanBrowsing is another DNS market leader offering a comprehensive and free Family Filter. Designed to block the children’s access to explicit materials or social media, it retains the high speed of loading for all other websites and has a couple of options for parents to decide on blocking individually (e.g. Facebook Kids). To start using the CleanBrowsing Family Filter follow the instructions on this page and following DNS addresses on your devices:

  • 185.228.168.168
  • 185.228.169.168

Block Porn Websites on Your Wireless Router 

As we’ve mentioned earlier, DNS service can be implemented for both individual devices and the whole home network. Latter provides global protection so not a single web browser or device can load the porn sites when connected to your home WiFi. To set it up simply configure your WiFi router access point using these steps:

  1. Find your router’s default IP by going to Settings > Network and Internet > Change Adapter Options > Your active network > Details > IPv4 Default Gateway; 
  2. Type IPv4 Default Gateway (e.g. 192.178.177.1) in your web browser address bar;
  3. Log in to the home router’s control panel using your login and password (your Internet provider must have given you this data);
  4. Find the DNS server settings and keep the original IP addresses from Primary and Secondary DNS Server fields somewhere safe;
  5. Remove the default vaults from both fields and type in alternative DNS IPs that you wish to use;
  6. Click Save and exit your router control panel. Restart the PC.

How to Block Porn on Android Phones and Tablets?

Here are some of the best tips to block porn on Android:

  1. Install a safe browser
    The safe browser already has web filtering features that remove any inappropriate content from the search engine results as well as block porn websites.
  2. Use Google Safe Search
    Once you activatethe feature, Google will always filter out everything from images to videos to block inappropriate websites on Android.
  3. Using DNS
    By configuring the DNS settings, you will enable the automatic filtering of the content, so all the inappropriate adult content won’t slip through.
  4. Enable safe browsing in Chrome
    Safe browsing can also be used in Chrome to block porn websites on Android devices.
  5. Use AdLock application
    Not only AdLock cleans up any sort of adverts on the Internet, but it also provides an enhanced safe browsing tool which would block adult content, unwanted redirects and requests, scam websites, and malware-infected stuff.

How to Block Porn on Mac

Using the tips and tricks from our article:

  1. Screen time;
  2. Parental control;
  3. Setting up DNS;
  4. Via AdLock;
  5. Through Restrictions.

How to Block Porn on Windows

Nothing really special here, since the workarounds across platforms are pretty similar. To get more information in a peculiar way, get to the dedicated section of the article with detailed instructions.

  1. Windows Parental Control;
  2. Using a Safe Browser;
  3. Using OpenDNS;
  4. Block Adult Content Using AdLock;

How to Block Porn on Smart TVs

If you don’t want certain content or channels to be accessible on your smart TV, you should disable them through Parental Controls. Parental Controls have settings that allow you to control what channels can be watched and what TV and movie ratings can be viewed on your smart TV. Please, be aware, different TVs have differently layered and organized settings, so you should search for your TV and then follow the instructions on setting up the Parental Controls.

Restrict Access to Adult Website Using Parental Control

The alternative to using a DNS service is setting up parental control — a function available for most modern devices. Besides content filtering, parental control also includes a screen time planner, online purchase control, location tracking, and usage reports. 

        Set up parental controls on iPhone or iPad

  1. Open your device’s Settings;
  2. Go to the Screen Time menu;
  3. Turn On Screen Time;
  4. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions;
  5. Enter your passcode two times;
  6. Choose which types of parental control you want to apply, including the content to block. 

Use Screen Time

Screen Time blocks porn websites
Source: Techcrunch

Screen Time is a mega convenient feature that would definitely be very useful for managing access to inappropriate or porn websites on your device. With Screen Time, you get a possibility to prohibit visiting all those adult sources and explicit content, add individual websites of your choice to the blocklist, etc. And yeah, keep in mind that Screen Time can only block porn sites when browsing with Safari.

So, to enable Screen Time porn blocking, you should:

  1. Open the Settings from the home menu, tap Screen Time;
  2. Enable Screen Time if it’s not ON and tap Continue;
  3. Tap This is My iPhone or This is My Child’s iPhone and follow the steps;
  4. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions;
  5. Tap the Content & Privacy Restrictions toggle;
  6. Tap Content Restrictions and then Web Content;
  7. Select Limit Adult Websites.

And you’re good to go. This would block access to sexually explicit websites (but only on Safari).

       How to use Parental Controls on your Mac? 

  1. Open your System Preferences and find the Parental Controls section;
  2. Select Create a new user account with parental controls;
  3. Press Continue and enter your password;
  4. Type in your child’s information. The set of default restrictions will depend on their age;
  5. Confirm by clicking Create User, then continue with your selection in the new tab.
  6. Press the padlock icon to block these settings from future changes and exit the menu. 

       Parental control for Windows 10 

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users;
  2. Press + next to Add a family member;Parental control for Windows 10
  3. Create a new Microsoft account for your child or provide an existing one, click Next;
  4. Open the inbox associated with your child’s account and find the email from Microsoft;
  5. Follow the link in email and log into the system with your child’s account;
  6. Go back to Accounts > Family & other users, select Manage family settings online;
  7. Locate a child’s account In the Family web page, press More Options, and find Content Restrictions in the drop-down list;
  8. Turn on the Block inappropriate websites toggle and exit the menu. 

Windows Parental control only works with Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, so it would not have any effect on other web browsers.

Implement Parental Controls on Android Devices

While many Android models also have built-in parental controls, the ways to set them up would depend on the phone manufacturer. The Digital Balance is a function available in most of the newest smartphones (can be found in Settings) and allows you to put your phone in the Child mode, with the parental controls enabled. Other Android models allow you to create a separate Child account (under Settings > Users) with specific restrictions. In case the phone your kid is going to be using doesn’t have either of these options, you can always download a parental control app, like Google Family Link or SecureKids, from Play Store. 

Configure Restrict Mode in YouTube

YouTube in both its browser and mobile app version supports the Restricted Mode. Using complex algorithms this feature prevents adult and questionable videos from being watched by children. You can easily turn on Restricted Mode this way:

  1. Open YouTube and click the account icon in the top right corner;
  2. Find Restricted Mode at the bottom of the drop-down list; 
  3. Use the toggle to turn the feature On.Configure Restrict Mode in YouTube
As YouTube informs, Restricted Mode only works in a single browser, so you would have to activate the feature on all the browsers and devices your child is using. Or look for another, more convenient solution below. 
Danial Zahoor

Danial Zahoor

Professional Ethical Hacker and Cybersecurity Researcher with a proven track record in dismantling online threats. Successfully neutralized 4 scammer networks, thwarted 13 phishing schemes, and disrupted 4 kidnapper networks. Committed to ensuring online safety and security, I leverage my expertise to protect individuals and organizations from digital threats. Passionate about cybersecurity education and empowering others to stay safe online.

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