A method and apparatus for a Web browser to display an alternate home page when a default home page is not presently accessible are provided. The method and apparatus ensures that the default home page is presently accessible before the browser contacts the computer system hosting the home page, when the web browser is first activated. If the default home page is accessible, it is accessed and displayed. If not, an alternate home page is accessed and displayed. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention uses a scheduler (i.e., time and day that the home page may be accessible) to determine whether the home page is presently accessible. In another embodiment, the invention uses IP addresses to determine whether the host computer and the computer used by the user are within the same network. If the two computers are within the same network, then the home page is determined to be presently accessible; otherwise, it is determined to be presently inaccessible.