Facebook can be a great connection tool to find old friends and let those close to you keep up with your activities. However, Facebook can be problematic for children, teens and in business environments. Regular users of Facebook can waste time that should be focused on other activities such as schoolwork or job-related activities. Of particular concern for parents, children can be the target of predators on Facebook.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/business/media/30facebook.html?_r=1

No matter your reasons for wanting to block access to Facebook, there are several methods of accomplishing this task. You can choose to select a software-based solution that is installed on each computer where you want to block Facebook. Another option is a DNS level blocking option that allows you to block Facebook on your Internet connection point. Learn your options and how to block Facebook.

Facebook was founded in February of 2004 by a Harvard psychology student named Mark Zuckerberg. He was 23 years old at the time, and the original name of the site was "The Facebook." This was not his first endeavor into the social networking arena, as he had already developed 2 other sites (Coursematch and Facemash, which were both made for the college crowd). In a days time, there were 1,200 Harvard members on The Facebook, and over the next month more than half of the school's undergraduate community were using the site. In 2006, Facebook expanded beyond the college realm and became open to the general population.http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/jul/25/media.newmedia

You have two basic ways of blocking Facebook on your computer:

1. Software- Software allows multiple customization features and can allow you to block other items such as unwanted images, games, and some malware attacks.
2. DNS Blocking- DNS is a service your computer uses to help translate computer language (numbers) into web addresses that you can recognize (words). If you are on the Internet, you already use a DNS provider, but it probably the one assigned by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). This method of blocking can be done on one PC and does not require installing software onto each computer, but you may have less customization options.

If you decide you want to block Facebook with software, choose a software product that fits your budget, is compatible with your computer system and is regarded as a good Internet filter product.

Some common software options include:

1. McAfee Parental Controls
2. Safe Eyes
3. MaxProtect
4. CYBERsitter
5. CyberPatrol
6. Net Nannyhttp://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com

After you purchase your software, install it on ever computer in your home that is connected to the Internet, including laptops. Read each software license carefully, because installing the software on multiple computers may require you to purchase a copy of the software for each installation.

A free DNS service called OpenDNS provides a free Internet filtering and blocking service.

To setup OpenDNS and block Facebook follow these steps:

1. Sign up for an account on OpenDNS.com
2. If you have a router, set your DNS settings to 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 and reboot your router to update your settings.
3. If you do not have a router, set the DNS settings 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 on each computer you have directly connected to the internet. DNS settings are typically located in your control panel under network connections, but it can vary based on your operating system.
4. Log into your OpenDNS account and select the “HIGH” filtering setting to block Facebook as well as other social networking sites, pornography, illegal activities, video sites and phishing attacks. You also have the option of only blocking Facebook by adding http://www.facebook.com to the list of blocked sites.