lynndaly2000
asked on
Firewall Blocking Utube, hotmail, facebook and twitter
Our agency is currently blocking the above listed sites.
We do this to prevent or at least lessen the chance of viruses, data theft, and other lawsuits from employee bullying, harrassment etc. Also, we currently do not have enough bandwidth to support streaming video.
Is there any literature that supports this. What are the best practices?
We do this to prevent or at least lessen the chance of viruses, data theft, and other lawsuits from employee bullying, harrassment etc. Also, we currently do not have enough bandwidth to support streaming video.
Is there any literature that supports this. What are the best practices?
i don't understand what you're asking. you're looking for white papers regarding web content filtering? or you're looking for a firewall that provides web content filtering?
What is it that you want to accomplish? Content filtering?
ASKER
We are using Sonicwall. We are currently filtering hotmail, and social networking sites. Is there any white papers on this topic.
My question is: Is this a good idea to block this access? If so why?
Sorry for the confusion.
My question is: Is this a good idea to block this access? If so why?
Sorry for the confusion.
If youre worried about users wasting time on social networking sites and reading their personal email while during working hours then sure its a good idea. One way you can losen up your grips is to allow access to those sites during a certain times (lunch break). Also, make sure user workstations virus definitions are up-to-date and running live scan. Hope this helps.
ASKER
We are not blocking for Productivity reasoned but because of the below rationale:
1) Virus and Spyware-
a. Viruses have the potential to take down our entire IT system.
b. Viruses have the potential of opening up CONFIDENTIAL files and selling our consumers and employee information Social Security Numbers, Bank Account Information, and other sensitive Medical Data (HIPPA) information.
2) Liability Issues
a. We are at risk of being sued by employees if they view inappropriate material on their computer screen.( i.e. Pornography, Biased Materials)
b. We are at risk of being sued by employees if they view inappropriate material on other employees computer screens. (i.e. Pornography, Biased Materials)
c. Posting confidential information and copying files on Social Networking Sites(Facebook.com and MySpace.com) could result in lawsuits. Workplace bullying and discussing consumers on a public site for all to see is not advisable.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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How technical are you, or you tech support group?
Squid is a free proxy server that can do URL filtering and with other products (DansGuardian) you can also do content filtering.