How to Whitelist a Website?

Malware continues to be one of the most pervasive cybersecurity threats with over 350,000 new malicious files detected each day. Many of these threats originate from untrusted and harmful websites. With that, whitelisting websites is crucial for any users to restrict access to only those you know are safe to prevent harmful content from even reaching your device. 

What is Website Whitelisting?

Website whitelisting is a security measure that allows only trusted, pre-approved websites to be accessed while blocking all others. It creates a controlled online environment that ensures that users can only visit websites deemed safe. This is what minimizes the risk of exposure to malicious content and distractions.

Here are the 4 main benefits of whitelisting your website:

• Security: Prevent exposure to malware, phishing attacks, and other harmful websites
• Productivity: Restrict access to only the sites that help you stay focused, reducing distractions
• Parental Control: Ensure children only access age-appropriate content
• Regulatory Compliance: In businesses, whitelisting ensures that employees access only approved and compliant websites

How to Whitelist a Website?

1. For Web Browsers

Web browsers are one of the easiest places to control the websites you visit. You can use extensions or built-in settings to create a whitelist and allow access only to approved websites.

a) Google Chrome

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and add a website-blocking extension like Block Site or StayFocusd.
2. Open the extension’s settings and start adding the URLs of trusted websites you want to allow.
3. Once your trusted websites are added, save the settings. The extension will automatically block all other sites.
4. Some extensions may allow you to manually override the whitelist on certain occasions. You can add or remove websites from the whitelist as necessary.

b) Mozilla Firefox

1. Visit the Mozilla Add-ons website and install a site-blocking extension like LeechBlock or BlockSite.
2. Once installed, go to the extension’s settings and add your preferred websites to the whitelist.
3. For sites not on the whitelist, configure the extension to block them automatically.

c) Safari

1. Open System Preferences and select Screen Time.
2. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions, then click Web Content.
3. Enable the setting to only allow access to Allowed Websites and add URLs of trusted websites.

d) Microsoft Edge

1. Install a site-blocking extension from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons Store.
2. Open the extension’s settings and whitelist the URLs you wish to allow.
3. Block non-whitelisted sites by setting the extension to deny access.

2) Whitelisting Websites in Antivirus Programs

Your antivirus program can also help protect your device from malicious websites by offering website whitelisting functionality.

a) McAfee

1. Open the McAfee Dashboard and go to Web Control.
2. Click Manage Websites and then select Add URL.
3. Enter the website you want to whitelist and click Add to save.
4. Ensure the site remains whitelisted even after updates by checking the list periodically.

b) Norton

1. Launch Norton and navigate to Settings.
2. Select Firewall, then go to Program Rules.
3. Click Add, input the URL of the site to be whitelisted, and click OK to allow it.

c) Avast

1. Open Avast and go to Settings.
2. Navigate to Web Shield and click Customize.
3. Go to Exceptions, add the trusted websites, and click Add Exception.

3) Whitelisting Websites in Network Devices

For business networks, you may need to whitelist websites at the network level to ensure all devices follow the same rules.

a) Router/Firewall Whitelisting

1. Log into your router or firewall’s Admin Panel through a browser (often at 192.168.1.1).
2. Look for Content Filtering, Access Control, or Firewall settings.
3. Add the URLs of trusted websites to the allowed list.
4. Save and apply changes to ensure the whitelist is active across the network.

b) Using Content Filtering Appliances

1. If you use a dedicated content filtering appliance (like Cisco Umbrella or OpenDNS), log into your admin console.
2. Add the websites you want to whitelist under the Approved Sites section.
3. Apply settings so all network traffic follows the whitelist rules.

4) Whitelisting Websites on Mobile Devices

Mobile devices, especially in business or parental control scenarios, can benefit from whitelisting to prevent access to harmful or distracting content.

a) Mobile Device Management (MDM)

1. Use an MDM platform like Microsoft Intune or Jamf to manage device policies.
2. Set up whitelisting rules in the MDM console, ensuring only specific websites are accessible.
3. Apply these settings to all devices under management to enforce consistent browsing policies.

b) Parental Control Apps

1. Install a parental control app like Qustodio or Net Nanny on your child’s device.
2. Configure the app to allow access only to certain websites by adding them to the whitelist.
3. Enable additional safety features like time limits or screen monitoring to ensure a secure online experience.

How to Troubleshoot Common Whitelisting Issues

Even with a whitelisting setup, you may run into a few roadblocks. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Website Still Blocked After Whitelisting: Double-check that the URL was entered correctly, including the “www” or “https://” prefix. Sometimes, incorrect entries or typos can prevent a website from being properly whitelisted.
• Whitelisting Not Syncing Across Devices: If you use multiple devices (like desktops, laptops, and mobile), ensure you’ve configured the settings on all of them or use centralized management tools like MDM to sync policies.
• Conflicts with Other Software: Extensions, antivirus software, or network-level filters might override your whitelisting settings. Temporarily disable these conflicting tools to see if the issue is resolved.

Best Practices for Website Whitelisting

To make the most of website whitelisting, follow these best practices:

1. Regularly Review and Update Your Whitelist: Periodically check that only relevant websites are on your whitelist, removing outdated or unnecessary sites.
2. Educate Users on How to Request Access: Ensure that users understand the process of requesting access to new websites.
3. Test Whitelisting Configuration: Regularly test your whitelist setup to ensure it’s blocking unauthorized sites and allowing access to trusted ones.
4. Consult IT Experts for Businesses: If you are setting up whitelisting for a business, work with IT professionals to ensure proper configuration and security.
5. Use Whitelisting Alongside Other Security Tools: Whitelisting should be part of an overall security strategy that includes antivirus software, firewalls, and regular updates.

Conclusion

Website whitelisting is a simple but effective way to protect your online experience – whether you’re browsing on your own or managing access for a business or family. By following the steps outlined in this guide and keeping the best practices in mind, you can ensure a safer and more productive browsing environment.