Using Limit Web in LanSchool Classic

Overview

LanSchool Classic allows teachers to control which websites students can access during class. The Limit Web feature can be used to block all website access, allow access to only specific websites, or block selected websites while allowing access to others.

Teachers can use website limiting to:

Prevent students from accessing distracting or inappropriate websites.
Restrict students to websites required for a lesson or assignment.
Block specific websites during tests and quizzes.
Temporarily disable student access to the internet.

This article explains how to configure website lists, enable website restrictions on student computers, and troubleshoot common website limiting issues.

Watch the video: Learn how to configure and use the Limit Web feature in LanSchool Classic.

Requirements

Before using the Limit Web feature, make sure the following requirements are met:

LanSchool Classic supports website limiting in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based), and Safari.
The LanSchool Web Helper browser extension must be installed and enabled in supported browsers where required.
The LanSchool Student client must be running on student computers.
Website limiting is not supported in Thin Client or Terminal Services environments.
Website limiting does not work with Mozilla Firefox. Due to changes in Firefox requirements, the LanSchool Firefox extension is not currently supported. To prevent students from using Firefox, consider using the Limit Apps feature.

If website limiting is not working as expected, see Troubleshooting Web Limiting.

Configuring Limit Web

Before enabling website restrictions on student computers, configure the Allowed Websites and Blocked Websites lists.
1. Click the drop-down arrow next to the Limit Web button in the teacher toolbar.
2. Select Configure Web Limiting...
3. Select the Web Limiting tab.
4. Choose one of the following options:
  - Block All: Prevents students from accessing websites.
  - Allowed Web Sites: Allows students to access only websites included in the Allowed Websites list. All other websites will be blocked.
  - Blocked Web Sites: Blocks websites included in the Blocked Websites list while allowing access to other websites.
5. Add the website addresses to the appropriate list.
6. Save your changes.

Adding Websites to the Allowed or Blocked Lists

When adding websites to the Allowed or Blocked lists, enter only the website's domain name to apply the restriction to the entire domain.

For example:

facebook.com blocks or allows the entire Facebook website.
google.com blocks or allows the entire Google website.

To restrict access to a specific section or subdomain, enter a more specific address.

For example:

mail.google.com blocks or allows Gmail without automatically blocking docs.google.com.
en.wikipedia.org applies the restriction to that specific subdomain.

You can also enter a specific URL to allow or block an individual page.

Examples:

Website added to the list	Expected result
`facebook.com` in Blocked Websites	Blocks all parts of Facebook.
`mail.google.com` in Blocked Websites	Blocks Gmail but does not automatically block Google Docs.
`docs.google.com/document/d/1llCNxxxxx` in Allowed Websites	Allows the specified Google Doc while other websites remain blocked when using the Allowed Websites list.

Important: The website list has a size limit. The current documentation specifies a 30,000-character limit or 1,400 bytes. Confirm the applicable limit for your LanSchool Classic version before adding large lists.

Using Wildcards in Website Lists

LanSchool Classic supports the asterisk (*) wildcard character in website addresses. Wildcards can be used to match multiple websites or URLs based on a common pattern.

Examples:

Add https://*youtube.com/ to Blocked Websites to block matching YouTube addresses.
Add https://*.*games* to Blocked Websites to block matching URLs containing the word "games."
Add https://*.*london* to Allowed Websites to allow matching URLs containing the word "london."
Add https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenovo* to Allowed Websites to allow matching URLs within the Lenovo section of Wikipedia.

Important: Test wildcard entries before using them in a classroom to confirm that they match the websites you intend to allow or block.

Websites That Redirect to Other Domains

Some websites automatically redirect students to another website or domain after they sign in or open a page.

For example, a student may sign in to the main page of a Student Information System (SIS), but the SIS redirects the student to a separate school-specific domain.

If students cannot access a website even though its original address is on the Allowed Websites list, check whether the website redirects to another domain.

Add the redirected domain to the Allowed Websites list if you are using Allow List mode.

Enabling Limit Web on Student Computers

After configuring the website lists, enable the restrictions on student computers.

Select one or more student computer thumbnails in the teacher console.
Click the Limit Web button in the toolbar.
Use the drop-down arrow to select one of the following options:
- Block All
- Allow List
- Block List

Important: If no student computers are selected, the restriction will apply to all student computers in the class.

When a student attempts to access a website that is not permitted, the student will be redirected to a LanSchool Access Denied page.

When using Allow List mode, the Access Denied page displays a list of permitted websites.

Disabling Website Restrictions

To stop limiting website access, click the Limit Web button again to turn the feature off.

Important Limitations

Can LanSchool Classic block websites in Incognito or Private Browsing mode?

No. LanSchool Classic cannot disable Incognito or Private Browsing mode or enforce website restrictions on websites opened in these private browsing windows.

Contact your organization's IT administrator to configure device management policies that prevent students from using Incognito or Private Browsing mode.

Does website limiting work in Mozilla Firefox?

No. Website limiting is currently not supported in Mozilla Firefox. Consider using the Limit Apps feature to prevent students from opening Firefox.

Why can students still access a blocked website?

Website restrictions may not work as expected if:

The LanSchool Web Helper browser extension is missing or disabled.
The student is using an unsupported browser.
The student is using Incognito or Private Browsing mode.
The website redirects to another domain that is not included in the Allowed or Blocked Websites list.
The LanSchool Student client is not running correctly.

See Troubleshooting Web Limiting for additional troubleshooting steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I block a website in LanSchool Classic?

Open Configure Web Limiting from the Limit Web toolbar drop-down, select the Web Limiting tab, and add the website domain to the Blocked Websites list. Then select the student computers and enable Block List.

How do I allow students to access only certain websites?

Open Configure Web Limiting, select the Web Limiting tab, and add the permitted websites to the Allowed Websites list. Select Allow List when enabling Limit Web on student computers. Students will only be able to access websites included in the Allowed Websites list.

How do I block all internet access for students?

Select the student computers, click the Limit Web drop-down, and select Block All.

What is the difference between Allow List and Block List?

Allow List permits students to access only the websites entered in the Allowed Websites list. All other websites are blocked.
Block List prevents students from accessing websites entered in the Blocked Websites list. Other websites remain accessible.

Why is a website still accessible when I add it to the Blocked Websites list?

Check that the correct website domain was entered, that Block List is enabled, and that the LanSchool Web Helper extension is installed and enabled in the student's browser. Also check whether the website redirects to another domain or is being opened in Incognito or Private Browsing mode.

Why can't students access a website that I added to the Allowed Websites list?

Verify that Allow List is enabled and that the correct website domain has been added. Some websites redirect to additional domains that must also be included in the Allowed Websites list.

Can I block an entire website using its domain name?

Yes. Enter the website's domain name, such as youtube.com, to apply the restriction to the entire domain rather than entering individual page addresses.

Can I allow one specific webpage without allowing the entire website?

Yes. Add the specific webpage URL to the Allowed Websites list. When using Allow List mode, other websites and pages not included in the list will remain blocked.

Can I use wildcards when adding websites to the Allow or Block list?

Yes. LanSchool Classic supports the asterisk (*) wildcard character to match multiple URLs or website addresses. See the Using Wildcards in Website Lists section for examples.

Does website limiting work in Incognito or Private Browsing mode?

No. LanSchool Classic cannot enforce website restrictions in Incognito or Private Browsing mode. Your IT administrator can use device management policies to prevent students from opening private browsing windows.

Does website limiting work in Firefox?

No. Firefox is currently not supported for website limiting. Use the Limit Apps feature if you need to prevent students from opening Firefox.

Why is the Limit Web feature not working on student computers?

Verify that the LanSchool Student client is running and that the LanSchool Web Helper browser extension is installed and enabled in the supported browser. If the issue continues, see the Troubleshooting Web Limiting article.

How do I turn off website restrictions after a class or test?

Click the Limit Web button in the teacher toolbar again to disable website restrictions.

Can I block Google Lens with LanSchool Classic?

No. Web Limiting cannot directly disable Google Lens or other browser features. Use your organization's browser or device management policies to control these features.

Can LanSchool Classic block browser extensions?

No. Web Limiting controls website access and cannot block, disable, install, or manage browser extensions.

Can I block Microsoft Copilot with LanSchool Classic?

No. Web Limiting cannot directly disable Microsoft Copilot or other AI features. Use your organization's applicable browser, device, or application management policies.

Can I block embedded videos?

No. Web Limiting cannot block embedded videos. The LanSchool Classic Web Helper extension is unable to detect embedded videos to block them.

Can limit web prevent students from using Incognito Mode?

No. LanSchool Classic cannot disable private/incognito browsing or Chrome Guest Mode. These restrictions should be configured through your organization's device or browser management policies.

Can LanSchool Classic block VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)?

No. LanSchool Classic cannot directly block VPN applications or prevent students from using a VPN connection.

However, you can enable the Network Tampering Control setting during the LanSchool Student installation to monitor network connection changes. This setting can detect:

Disconnections of wired network adapters.
Disconnections of wireless network adapters.
Attempts to connect to a wireless network that is not included in the configured SSID Wireless Allow List.

For instructions on enabling Network Tampering Control during installation, see:

Note: If you need to prevent students from installing or running VPN applications, consider using operating system or device management policies to restrict those applications.