> The company is also better served if it is prepared to manage its
> employees. Simply blocking access with a block list or an appliance doesn't
> change behavior, it even presents a challenge to the more technically
> inclined. But the technology exists to provide feedback to managers, and
> allow them to tell employees to knock it off,... before a small problem
> becomes a big problem.
in my experience block lists are ineffective for a number of reasons.
they don't address the real management issues, you're chasing a moving
target, blocking a URL based on name is laughable - i'm sure the
Scunthorpe/Essex city councils would agree - & getting around the
block list is hardly a technical challenge.
the only useful part is the ability to provide feedback to management
& i think you can generate that info more efficiently than using blocking
technology.
what may be more cost effective is the use of caching proxy servers -
they're the norm in Oz due to our high bandwidth charges (generally charged on
incoming bytes to your site).
so have your users sign an acceptable use agreement which includes
the understanding that the proxies log what users browse
& that excessive browsing of non-work related guff will not go unnoticed/
undisciplined.
squid is the bees knees when it comes to proxy servers:
http://squid.nlanr.net
you can generate pretty graphs regarding internet usage from the
logs & throw them up on an internal web page where everybody can see them.
it's the equivalent of a public flogging, but it can be a useful
educational tool. 8-)
cheers,
pauline
Pauline van Winsen, Senior Technical Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED]
eServ Pty Ltd http://www.eserv.com.au/people/pauline.html
"Perhaps there's a party coming up and you can't quite squeeze into that
glamorous gown; a crash diet may help you on this ocassion."
Keeping in Trim - Introduction, Woman's World, circa 1964.
-
[To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with
"unsubscribe firewalls" in the body of the message.]
