How to block or stop unwanted calls from Google+ Hangouts

I was getting a lot of calls this morning trying to push one product after another. I found it was coming from Google+ Hangouts feature, which has a new feature making phone calls and video calls easier. To block unwanted calls do the following:

Go to "Accounts" --> and go to "Who can Hangout with you" --> Click "Customize" and  Select the circles and change the option to "Send a request" 

Initially, the setting is default to "Hangout with you", so we need change it to either "Hangout with you" or "Send request". 



To change to either setting, just hover over the grey button at the end of the circles as shown.

Otherwise it seems any one can reach you. The guys were trying to sell Payday loan, auto insurance etc., even though I have this number in Donotcall.gov. Luckily, I have block feature in Google Voice, can block these calls but if you get more than 100 calls it will become cumbersome, the above settings can prevent us to block each caller.

Update: Also, do the same in the hangout apps you download for your PC or Mac. 

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How to Block any Website in Google Searches

We have excellent spam block control in Gmail but can we extend the same feature to the web to block sites that provides spam type of results in Google Searches? Yes, we have with the following two methods:

a.) With this method you can block any results with any browser, just go to this Google link http://www.google.com/reviews/t and enter the website you want to block and provide a reason why you are blocking the site. Once you enter this manually, then that website or websites are blocked in your Google Search results. There is however only a limit of up to 500 websites and you have to enter each one of them manually. 

b.) This method uses Google Chrome extension called "Personal Blocklist (by Google)". After you install this extension in Google Chrome browser, just click the extension button in the Toolbar to block any website you find providing spam results or trying to make you install unnecessary programs. Later if you accidentally block the sites, you can easily unblock with this extension. However, this is limited to Chrome browser, if you are using other browser, you may or may not have similar extensions like the Personal Blocklist extension.

The method "b" is simple and easy to use, plus it is one-click choice compared to method "a".


Do you use any other method to block websites from appearing in Google Search results?

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Block unwanted calls or SMS text messages with Mr. Number Android App

Recently, I received an unwanted text message from an unknown caller and I was unable to block them with the stock applications I have in my Android phone, then I found this Android app "Mr. Number: Text, Call & Block" (Google Play Android Apps link). After you install the app, you can retrieve the calls or text messages and block the callers easily.

Besides block the callers, Mr. Number has the following features, one good feature I like is identifying the private callers:

* One history: See all your calls, SMS and MMS messages in one place
* Blocklist: Block calls, SMS, and MMS from one person, an area code, or the world
* Caller ID: Always know who is trying to reach you with crowd-sourced Caller ID
* Availability: Let contacts know when you are free for a call and when you are tied up
* Signature: Create your own Caller ID profile and use it to sign your texts too

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How to add a Phone Number to Google Voice Block List

Voice Settings in Google Voice

I was reading a Google+ Post about a telemarketer, who was abusing by making spam calls by-passing the Do-not-call list. I tried to add that phone number to my Blocked callers list in Google Voice, but there is no block button there unless they have called you. But it appears, there is an indirect way to add them even if they haven't called you.

To add the number to your Blocked Callers list do the following:

1.) Create a new contact with the phone number you want to block in Google Voice by clicking the "Contacts" button on the left.
2.) Add the new contact and click the edit button for this contact.
3.) Add this new number to the "Blocked Callers" group, if you don't have one create a new group.
4.) After you have added them, go to Google Voice Settings (the gear button at the top left)
5.) Go to Voice Settings and click the "Groups" tab
6.) Click the Edit button for the "Blocked Callers" group and click the "Edit" button in Ring and uncheck all the phone numbers listed there.
7.) Click "Save"

With the above settings, whenever the spammer calls again, they will just hear an empty ring sound and you won't be disturbed from them until you change your Voice settings.

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