How do i block my employees from using myspace, facebook, reunion.com, and other social networking sites? We have 4 computers (in addition to my own) that work off a network. Please help!

HOW DO I BLOCK MY EMPLOYEES FROM USING MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, REUNION.COM, AND OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES? We have 4 computers (in addition to my own) that work off a network. PLEASE HELP!!



First, you tell them - in NY at least, where it's legal - that they are no longer allowed to access the computers and you make in company policy, in writing.

Then you install tracking software - of which they are aware.

And then if they are against company policy you warn them and eventually terminate them.

I recently was asked to investigate someone whose EMPLOYEE used the EMPLOYER'S laptop and accessed child pornography. Guess who the Police came to see? Right, the employer.

There are quite a few firewall/gateway applications that are installed at the router level that will filter access to a pre-defined list of sites. The one at use at my place of work is Websense (http://www.websense.com/content/home.aspx). That one is a large entreprise bit of software.

If you have control of the router at your workplace you can filter out websites in its configuration screen.

Another option is to edit the Hosts file of each PC: Hack the Hosts file to block websites « THE11thROCK Technologies (http://the11throck.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/hack-the-hosts-file-to-block-websites/)

There are quite a few firewall/gateway applications that are installed at the router level that will filter access to a pre-defined list of sites. The one at use at my place of work is Websense (http://www.websense.com/content/home.aspx). That one is a large entreprise bit of software.

If you have control of the router at your workplace you can filter out websites in its configuration screen.

Another option is to edit the Hosts file of each PC: Hack the Hosts file to block websites « THE11thROCK Technologies (http://the11throck.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/hack-the-hosts-file-to-block-websites/)



You have to be very careful about what is and is not legal in your State. As long as you are only blocking or filtering, you're okay. If you are tracking it's a whole other story.

Well all my advice refers to blocking since the OP mentioned nothing about tracking.

Well all my advice refers to blocking since the OP mentioned nothing about tracking.


I wasn't criticizing you - I referred to tracking and thought it should be mentioned again because it's been posted before.

Again, I wasn't criticizing your answer but clarifying mine.

Oh OK, cool. I was a little concerned since you quoted my answer.

Oh ok, cool. I was a little concerned since you quoted my answer.



Sorry - I'll try to pay more attention in the future.