how do companies block internet access to certain sites. I don't have access to hotmail, yahoo, myspace.. Atleast the ones I checked. Is there specific keywords they block or how exactly does it work?

 

to add to this question, is there a way around the censor filters that block pages

 

hmm where are all the admins at?

 

http://browseatwork.com/

does this work? (enter a URL into the 1st line)

I'm not restricted in anyway, but I've always been curious.

 

In our firm I implemented a web filter.
Its called Surf control and runs on a IIS server.

Basically you have to create groups first in the program designating what group will have access to what.

I have this setup.

Streaming Audio/ Video
Secretaries
Information Systems
Administration
Management

Basically I would add the A.D groups to the groups created in surf control.
Since secretaries here are members of the Secretaries Group. I restricted access to that group so that way they wont go off and play yahoo games like people have been doing here.
Each time they hit a site and its not on the allow list they get a message on the screen to contact the helpdesk....blah, blah.....

Attorneys on the other hand could navigate freely on the web ( they think ) with the exception to streaming video/ audio.

The sites are blocked by name or content.
ex: if you go to video.streetfire.net and try to view any of the videos. If you notice up on address bar it will
show you this : http://videos.streetfire.net/Player....53EB038415&p=0

I have it set so that if Player is picked up in the address bar you will be blocked. thats one way of tweaking it.

 

that actually works... how does it work?

 

I have that blocked at work too. Cant get around that here...lol
Its a proxy server. Connects you to a different webserver for internet access so to speak.

this is the error message users get when they try to go on that site.

Your access to a web resource has been blocked by a [company_name] Web Filter policy. If you feel that you have received this message in error, please contact the I.S. HelpDesk at x2500 or via email at Help_Desk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.com
if you have questions regarding this restriction.

Rule 8
Error Code 8
Remote Proxy

 

what company do you work for so I make sure not to apply there :fawk:

btw, is there any log thats kept about browsing?

 

generally and generally the log associates a timestamp, the site that you attempted to access and your user name.

fortunately, with a decent sized company, those logs are a bear to dig through. typically they look at trends such as "person A has tried to access x number of restricted sites this month".

 

Better way would be to ask if it's possible for them to track where you visit on the web. Of course they can track it. If it's trackable, then it's logable.

Doesn't really mean they ARE logging it, but it could be.