Guides & Tutorials
Learn how to take control of your Mac's network privacy, block distractions, and secure your system.
How to Block Gambling Sites
A complete guide to self-exclusion on macOS. Learn how to block betting sites system-wide using the hosts file.
Read Guide →
Block Social Media (Hard Mode)
Stop doomscrolling on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Compare manual terminal edits vs. native focus tools.
Read Guide →
Stop Adobe Background Processes
Prevent Creative Cloud from draining your battery and sending telemetry. A guide for creatives.
Read Guide →
Block Pornography on Mac
Free system-wide parental control. Compare DNS filters vs. hosts file blocking.
Read Guide →
Block Windows & Google Telemetry
Stop Microsoft Office and Chrome from phoning home. A privacy shield guide.
Read Guide →
Block Fake News & Clickbait
Clean up your news feed by blocking known misinformation domains system-wide.
Read Guide →
Malware Firewall Guide
Turn your hosts file into a lightweight firewall against C&C servers and ransomware.
Read Guide →
How to Block Ads on Mac System-Wide
Browser extensions only block one app. Compare uBlock Origin, Pi-hole, and hosts file blocking for system-wide ad removal.
Read Guide →
How to Edit the Hosts File on Mac
Your Mac's /etc/hosts file controls DNS locally. Learn to edit it safely with Terminal, a text editor, or SaneHosts.
Read Guide →
Block YouTube on Mac for Studying
Stop the YouTube rabbit hole. Compare browser extensions, Screen Time, and system-wide blocking for focused study sessions.
Read Guide →
Hosts File Managers Compared
SaneHosts, SwitchHosts, Gas Mask and Terminal side by side: price, Apple silicon, blocklists, safety.
Read Guide →
Block Ads Without an App
Install Steven Black's hosts file from Terminal in five minutes, flush DNS, and undo it. Plus the one-click way.
Read Guide →
Gas Mask Alternative for macOS
Gas Mask's last release was in 2020 and is Intel-only. Here is the native Apple silicon option.
Read Guide →
AdGuard for Mac vs SaneHosts
Traffic filtering or hosts-file blocking? What each one blocks, what it changes on your Mac, and what it costs.
Read Guide →