SurveilStar - Block Access to Social Networking Sites!

SurveilStar is the trustworthy PC/Internet monitoring software that can record every detail of computer and Internet activities and helps to block and filter social networking sites and other social networking sites. Whatever you can monitor, you can control it. You can control certain computer’s access to websites, filter outgoing files via IM, block email attachment, disable removable device drive, cancel unauthorized file sharing...

 

Download SurveilStar to start blocking and filtering social networking sites right now!

 

SurveilStar monitors every web page that is accessed on the computer and saves a chronological record for your review. And it’s much more than a simple website history. The website statistics report will summarize a char of top10 visited websites and other reports, so that you can quickly get a clear overview of what they are doing online.

With the screenshot snapshots feature, you can even see exactly what they type into the search box and other web input box.

If you deem some websites are inappropriate for your employees, you can block them from accessing to these websites.

SurveilStar effectively controls the website access from corporate network. Administrator can grant users with different websites visiting privileges. Every website visit will be tracked and recorded in details, and can any website can be blocked.

For instance, if you don’t like your employees watch online videos in workplace, you can block www.YouTube.com , www.MetaCafe.com and other Internet video sites.

SurveilStar provides dynamic ways of control website access:

1. Block a website with complete URL, for example, www.porn-videos.com

2. Block website addresses that contain certain keyword, for example, *game*,*porn*, etc.

3. Define a web class, and then block a whole class

Survey: 71% of IT departments block users from social networking

The American Management Association has estimated that about half of all U.S. employers have policies restricting workers from visiting social networking sites. A new TechRepublic poll conducted during the first half of July indicates that the number is even higher, as 71% of respondents said that their companies were blocking social networking sites.

Since the TechRepublic audience consists primarily of IT professionals, this poll reflect mostly enterprises and SMBs large enough to hire an IT specialist.

This issue is becoming a growing source of tension between IT and users, especially new college grads who are entering the workplace and expecting to use sites like Facebook to network and connect with people, but are being blocked. The Associated Press shed light on this issue in its recent piece Young workers push employers for wider Web access. Read full article...

Debates Over Blocking Social Networking Sites at Work

There’s no doubt that social networking sites are a relevant part of the everyday lives of people at home. This is occurring in the workplace as well. People are realizing these sites have impact not only in terms of personal growth and relationships, but also as tools for staying connected in business. Weighing the pros and cons of social networking at work can help businesses to reach a decision that in the first instance safeguards the company’s interests yet also takes into consideration the ‘needs’ and practices/hobbies that today’s employees have.

Pros:

1. Used diligently, social networking sites can be useful in expanding market reach, widening the business’s circle of contacts, creating a communication platform with clients and advertise for free.

2. They can help a business to reach out to new markets, remain in touch with existing customers and use the snowball effect to market its services or products.

3. A positive presence online can boost a business’s reputation and establish the name in new areas before taking the ‘physical’ plunge.

4. Social networking is a free source of marketing and advertising.The only cost to the business is the time and effort required to maintain the network and the official website.

Cons:

1. The main concern for organizations is not social networking sites per se but the people using them. Social networkers are the weakest link and their actions can create problems. Computer users’ actions are often based on impulse and not genuine awareness of what they are doing.

2. The P-word. Productivity. One reason why social networking sites are given a cold shoulder is the fact that employees could be spending unacceptably long on these sites. If every employee in a 50-employee company spent 30 minutes on social networking every day of a working week, that would total a cumulative productivity loss of 6,500 hours in one year. Now when you factor in how much each hour costs in salaries, you get a better and convincing picture. There is also an effect on company morale. While everyone sneaks a peek at his or her profile during the day, most employees would frown upon those whose social networking profile is open throughout the day. Morale is further hit if no action is taken.

3. Although updates to social networking sites may not take up huge amounts of bandwidth, the availability of (bandwidth-hungry) video links posted on these sites (or links taking users to sites like YouTube) creates problems for IT administrators. There is a cost to Internet browsing, especially where high levels of bandwidth are required.

4. The threat from web-borne viruses and malware is often overlooked by businesses. Hackers are attracted to social networking sites because they see the potential to commit fraud and launch spam and malware attacks. There are tens of thousands of applications available for Facebook (according to the company) and while Facebook may make every effort to provide protection against malware, these third-party applications may not all be safe. Some have the potential to be used to infect computers with malicious code which in turn is can be used to collect data from that user’s site. Messaging on social networking sites is also a concern and the Koobface worm is but one example of how messages are used to spread malicious code and worms. A worm infection is the last thing an administrator wants to have to deal with! If you want to to learn how to protect yourself from these threats, read Microsoft MVP Brad Dinerman’s detailed article here.

What Should Employers Do With Social Networking Sites

In today’s networked world, it is impossible and stupid to isolate a business because of social networking sites. Despite the concerns, there are steps a business can take to allow social networking at the office and still maintain a level of control.

Here are a few pointers: Restrict access.

1. Allow access during their lunch break, before work starts and after work. This can easily be done using Internet monitoring and filtering software (and myriad other things).

2. Educate and train staff. Most employees are not aware of the time they spend on Facebook or that their actions online can cause security issues. Tell them in a language they understand how a simple click on a link they receive or an application they download can result in malware infecting their machine and the network. Additionally, tell them not to click on suspicious links and to pay attention when giving out personal details online.

3. Set security and usage policies. Have all employees sign any policies related to the use of the Internet at work, access to social networking sites and what they are allowed to say or do during office hours. Monitoring of all web activity is important and employees should be aware that their actions are being recorded and that failure to adhere to company policy can result in disciplinary action and/or dismissal.

 

Start blocking and filtering social networking sites using SurveilStar Monitor Software right now!

 

 

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