Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs

eyecarekenya · 10-20-2009, 12:04 PM

Not sure if this is the correct forum to post this thread, if it is let me know the correct forum to paste it. we have computers in our office and they have internet access, as need it for emails. The problem is staff is using these to visit non work related websites like facebook, yahoo mail etc. and also use it to chat on Yahoo messenger, Skype, MSN Messenger etc. Is there a software free which one can download to block certain websites and all chat programs, such that they cant visit these? Please advise.. thanks

**RobinHamilton** · 10-20-2009, 12:34 PM

eyecarekenya,

There are a few parental control packages out there which would probably suit your needs. Your search engine should find them easily enough.

I prefer the K9 Web Protection package for our home use. You can tailor it to suit your specific needs and it is very easy to use, allowing you customise it's varying degrees of authority.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

Rob.

**Basementgeek** · 10-20-2009, 01:23 PM

Hi and welcome to TSF

What level of access do they have, full admin?

It could be as simple as adding those in the restricted zone.

BG

eyecarekenya · 10-21-2009, 05:18 AM

Hi Robin,
Thanks for your reply...Would look out for K9, would it block both certain websites and Chat programs? Thanks
Regards
Eyecare

eyecarekenya · 10-21-2009, 05:21 AM

Hi BG
Thanks for the welcome..I am happy i found someplace to load on my IT questions...
Well presently they all have full access. I was told by someone to open them their individual log in and put a password for Administrator login... Although, pardon my ignorance about IT products, if i use a software like K9, or put website in restricted Zone as an Administrator, would those changes affect the limited individual access? Please advise.

user501sc · 10-21-2009, 08:29 AM

Hi

At several companies that I have worked for we used a product called Websense
http://www.websense.com/content/home.aspx to control access to web sites that were not approved for use from the company network. You may want to look at the site, am not sure how big your company is but if you want a centralized solution, this product or a similar one would do the trick.

**RobinHamilton** · 10-22-2009, 04:02 AM

eyecarekenya,

K9 has various access levels. It can be set to block nothing, or to block lot's (the sort of sites which are blocked are described at each level).

At each level you can also set it to allow certain sites which are blocked at that level, or to block certain sites which are allowed at that level. It's very flexible.

I've just noticed it is free for home use, but not for company use. However, that may depend on the size of your company. It would be worth asking them.

Rob.

10-20-2009, 12:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
eyecarekenya Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs Not sure if this is the correct forum to post this thread, if it is let me know the correct forum to paste it. we have computers in our office and they have internet access, as need it for emails. The problem is staff is using these to visit non work related websites like facebook, yahoo mail etc. and also use it to chat on Yahoo messenger, Skype, MSN Messenger etc. Is there a software free which one can download to block certain websites and all chat programs, such that they cant visit these? Please advise.. thanks

10-20-2009, 12:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 67 OS: XP SP3	Re: Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs eyecarekenya, There are a few parental control packages out there which would probably suit your needs. Your search engine should find them easily enough. I prefer the K9 Web Protection package for our home use. You can tailor it to suit your specific needs and it is very easy to use, allowing you customise it's varying degrees of authority. Hope this helps. Cheers. Rob. __________________ And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it, And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it.

10-20-2009, 01:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator Home Support Visitor, Security Team Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 2,265 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs Hi and welcome to TSF What level of access do they have, full admin? It could be as simple as adding those in the restricted zone. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Submit New Articles Proud member of ASAP

10-21-2009, 05:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
eyecarekenya Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Re: Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs Hi Robin, Thanks for your reply...Would look out for K9, would it block both certain websites and Chat programs? Thanks Regards Eyecare

10-21-2009, 05:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
eyecarekenya Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Re: Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs Hi BG Thanks for the welcome..I am happy i found someplace to load on my IT questions... Well presently they all have full access. I was told by someone to open them their individual log in and put a password for Administrator login... Although, pardon my ignorance about IT products, if i use a software like K9, or put website in restricted Zone as an Administrator, would those changes affect the limited individual access? Please advise.

10-21-2009, 08:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
user501sc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 37 OS: XP Pro SP3, Windows 7 -64bit Home Premium	Re: Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs Hi At several companies that I have worked for we used a product called Websense http://www.websense.com/content/home.aspx to control access to web sites that were not approved for use from the company network. You may want to look at the site, am not sure how big your company is but if you want a centralized solution, this product or a similar one would do the trick.

10-22-2009, 04:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 67 OS: XP SP3	Re: Blocking Certain Websites and Chat Programs eyecarekenya, K9 has various access levels. It can be set to block nothing, or to block lot's (the sort of sites which are blocked are described at each level). At each level you can also set it to allow certain sites which are blocked at that level, or to block certain sites which are allowed at that level. It's very flexible. I've just noticed it is free for home use, but not for company use. However, that may depend on the size of your company. It would be worth asking them. Rob. __________________ And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it, And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it.