Programs To Block Facebook

[whistleblower]

Hi

In my office at work everyone has access to the internet. Some people are abusing this and sitting playing poker/farmville etc all day. is there a programme we can install to stop this. The only problem I have is that some of the staff need facebook/internet to communicate with our American customers and our American office. Is there also a programme that will allow them internet/facebook access but give a detailed report on what they are looking at on the internet and what they are using facebook for?

Many thanks for any suggestions.

[h90]

Some of the router have filter.

Easier would be to make a meeting and tell them that they aren't allowed to do it.

Than install a logging program and ask the first one you catch if he want to loose his/her job.

The second time you catch him you kick him out.

For every filter there is a work around, or if you block one kind of online game they use a different one.

[whybother]

I know someone with a pretty good product that is exactly what you need.

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

Edited July 31, 2012 by Maestro
Deleted troll comment about a shoe.

[JakeBKK]

I know someone with a pretty good product that is exactly what you need.

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

You don't need any program ! Windows computers have a HOSTS file located in C:\windows\system32\etc. If you write into this file facebook.com 127.0.0.1 or thaivisa.com 127.0.0.1 , these sites will not load anymore.

[whistleblower]

Some of the router have filter.

Easier would be to make a meeting and tell them that they aren't allowed to do it.

Than install a logging program and ask the first one you catch if he want to loose his/her job.

The second time you catch him you kick him out.

For every filter there is a work around, or if you block one kind of online game they use a different one.

This more of what I had in mind. I want to be able to show them at the end of every month how many hours they have spent on internet. Can I set it up to show what they are looking at? e.g. you were on facebook for 1 hour and in that hour you played farmville for 40 minutes?

[PattayaPhom]

The small company i worked at befor hired a new girl, I called her Facebook Fanny, all she did was look at that website allday.....best thing is disiplinary procedures. Hold a team talk explaining use is not allowed, anyobne caught will be disiplined and possibly dismissed.

[garyj1967]

You can try pfsense an open source firewall and router solution. You can grant access to specific users and/or block other websies, use it balance mutilple access points. A very powerful piece of software, it may take a little time to fully understand its true potiential.

[whybother]

I know someone with a pretty good product that is exactly what you need.

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

You don't need any program ! Windows computers have a HOSTS file located in C:\windows\system32\etc. If you write into this file facebook.com 127.0.0.1 or thaivisa.com 127.0.0.1 , these sites will not load anymore.

So simple that anyone can remove them too.

Edited July 31, 2012 by Maestro
Deleted troll comment about a shoe.

[JakeBKK]

I know someone with a pretty good product that is exactly what you need.

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

Sent from my shoe phone.

You don't need any program ! Windows computers have a HOSTS file located in C:\windows\system32\etc. If you write into this file facebook.com 127.0.0.1 or thaivisa.com 127.0.0.1 , these sites will not load anymore.

So simple that anyone can remove them too.

Sent from my shoe phone.

pseudo-science, eh?

[Meisgq]

HOSTS file can be circumvented rather easily. You should really get a firewall anyway so contact your IT guy and see if he specializes in something like Sonicwall or Watchguard-type products. Open-source products, as mentioned, will work too if you want to mess with it. You can also block entertainment sites, other social-networking sites, etc. Everything costs money so you'll have to start by determining your budget. This project, implemented in the States, will cost about $1,000 for labor and hardware plus 1 year support - that's on the low-side. If they're playing on Facebook, they're costing you money in productivity so it will be worth the investment. You'll also need a company policy to deter circumventing the controls. For example, they can always use their phone to get on Facebook so a policy with repercussions, if discovered, will help get them back to work.

[h90]

Some of the router have filter.

Easier would be to make a meeting and tell them that they aren't allowed to do it.

Than install a logging program and ask the first one you catch if he want to loose his/her job.

The second time you catch him you kick him out.

For every filter there is a work around, or if you block one kind of online game they use a different one.

This more of what I had in mind. I want to be able to show them at the end of every month how many hours they have spent on internet. Can I set it up to show what they are looking at? e.g. you were on facebook for 1 hour and in that hour you played farmville for 40 minutes?

I had before a small software, that is a keylogger and it makes screenshots (in black-white) when something major changes. It is complete hidden.

It can than show statistics...which domain how much time and it can play the screenshots like a movie in real time or faster.

I can't recall the name, but it should be easily to find.....if not let me know and I search my backups, maybe it is there somewhere. One or two computer have it still installed but I forgot how to open it, as the bad apples in our companies left....

(you won't believe how many beautiful girls, some fat ugly thai guys know on face book).

[bangkockney]

Some of the router have filter.

Easier would be to make a meeting and tell them that they aren't allowed to do it.

Than install a logging program and ask the first one you catch if he want to loose his/her job.

The second time you catch him you kick him out.

For every filter there is a work around, or if you block one kind of online game they use a different one.

This more of what I had in mind. I want to be able to show them at the end of every month how many hours they have spent on internet. Can I set it up to show what they are looking at? e.g. you were on facebook for 1 hour and in that hour you played farmville for 40 minutes?

I had before a small software, that is a keylogger and it makes screenshots (in black-white) when something major changes. It is complete hidden.

It can than show statistics...which domain how much time and it can play the screenshots like a movie in real time or faster.

I can't recall the name, but it should be easily to find.....if not let me know and I search my backups, maybe it is there somewhere. One or two computer have it still installed but I forgot how to open it, as the bad apples in our companies left....

(you won't believe how many beautiful girls, some fat ugly thai guys know on face book).

I'm pretty sure this is illegal. You are capturing all sorts of private data.

To the OP - either block it at the router level or if you need to analyse usage go with the approaches suggested.

I've found a fair-use policy with no filtering to be much more open and beneficial.

You should give a copy of your IT policy - including sanctions (on a scale) - to every employee.

Reference to IT policy needs to be in employment contracts too I think.

[whybother]

This more of what I had in mind. I want to be able to show them at the end of every month how many hours they have spent on internet. Can I set it up to show what they are looking at? e.g. you were on facebook for 1 hour and in that hour you played farmville for 40 minutes?

What about this? http://www.network-box.com/firewall

I know the distributors in Thailand. They've put this into some international schools here.

They also have some other products in different price ranges.

Edited July 31, 2012 by whybother

[h90]

Some of the router have filter.

Easier would be to make a meeting and tell them that they aren't allowed to do it.

Than install a logging program and ask the first one you catch if he want to loose his/her job.

The second time you catch him you kick him out.

For every filter there is a work around, or if you block one kind of online game they use a different one.

This more of what I had in mind. I want to be able to show them at the end of every month how many hours they have spent on internet. Can I set it up to show what they are looking at? e.g. you were on facebook for 1 hour and in that hour you played farmville for 40 minutes?

I had before a small software, that is a keylogger and it makes screenshots (in black-white) when something major changes. It is complete hidden.

It can than show statistics...which domain how much time and it can play the screenshots like a movie in real time or faster.

I can't recall the name, but it should be easily to find.....if not let me know and I search my backups, maybe it is there somewhere. One or two computer have it still installed but I forgot how to open it, as the bad apples in our companies left....

(you won't believe how many beautiful girls, some fat ugly thai guys know on face book).

I'm pretty sure this is illegal. You are capturing all sorts of private data.

To the OP - either block it at the router level or if you need to analyse usage go with the approaches suggested.

I've found a fair-use policy with no filtering to be much more open and beneficial.

You should give a copy of your IT policy - including sanctions (on a scale) - to every employee.

Reference to IT policy needs to be in employment contracts too I think.

No it can't capture private data. Because use of the computer for private things is NOT ALLOWED in our company. So it is only for reviewing their job activities.

Like FedEx or American Express records the phone calls.

Our IT policy is easy: Use it private and you may get fired and I monitor it.

Before everything was full with porno pictures from the males (I think if the computer is full with pornos I might get problems in Thailand), and some real sick things which I didn't know that exist at all (and by no means I am innocent).

And we had a few virus problems.

Now: No problems at all. Sometimes they search for guns and motorbike/car things, which I tolerate / I just don't see it. As well newspapers are OK. When there are problems in Bangkok, they sometimes look ASTV, which is encouraged, as some of our customer are political interested and like to chat about it.

We don't have any employment contracts.

We pay good, but we don't pay for private internet surfing. So no fair use.

[whistleblower]

HOSTS file can be circumvented rather easily. You should really get a firewall anyway so contact your IT guy and see if he specializes in something like Sonicwall or Watchguard-type products. Open-source products, as mentioned, will work too if you want to mess with it. You can also block entertainment sites, other social-networking sites, etc. Everything costs money so you'll have to start by determining your budget. This project, implemented in the States, will cost about $1,000 for labor and hardware plus 1 year support - that's on the low-side. If they're playing on Facebook, they're costing you money in productivity so it will be worth the investment. You'll also need a company policy to deter circumventing the controls. For example, they can always use their phone to get on Facebook so a policy with repercussions, if discovered, will help get them back to work.

Thanks for all the replies. I have a few things to go on now. The IT guy is one of the biggest abusers!! I was hoping to get an outsider in to do it overnight! As I said some need to use FB and internet but for work purposes (ie purchaser needs to find suppliers but does not need to surf for new shoes) Thats why I need something that will tell me WHAT they are looking at on the net.

[h90]

HOSTS file can be circumvented rather easily. You should really get a firewall anyway so contact your IT guy and see if he specializes in something like Sonicwall or Watchguard-type products. Open-source products, as mentioned, will work too if you want to mess with it. You can also block entertainment sites, other social-networking sites, etc. Everything costs money so you'll have to start by determining your budget. This project, implemented in the States, will cost about $1,000 for labor and hardware plus 1 year support - that's on the low-side. If they're playing on Facebook, they're costing you money in productivity so it will be worth the investment. You'll also need a company policy to deter circumventing the controls. For example, they can always use their phone to get on Facebook so a policy with repercussions, if discovered, will help get them back to work.

Thanks for all the replies. I have a few things to go on now. The IT guy is one of the biggest abusers!! I was hoping to get an outsider in to do it overnight! As I said some need to use FB and internet but for work purposes (ie purchaser needs to find suppliers but does not need to surf for new shoes) Thats why I need something that will tell me WHAT they are looking at on the net.

Another very simple solution is to put one of the CCTV cameras you have hopefully in your office just behind him, so you can see on the CCTV record what he did.

[JakeBKK]

HOSTS file can be circumvented rather easily. You should really get a firewall anyway so contact your IT guy and see if he specializes in something like Sonicwall or Watchguard-type products. Open-source products, as mentioned, will work too if you want to mess with it. You can also block entertainment sites, other social-networking sites, etc. Everything costs money so you'll have to start by determining your budget. This project, implemented in the States, will cost about $1,000 for labor and hardware plus 1 year support - that's on the low-side. If they're playing on Facebook, they're costing you money in productivity so it will be worth the investment. You'll also need a company policy to deter circumventing the controls. For example, they can always use their phone to get on Facebook so a policy with repercussions, if discovered, will help get them back to work.

Thanks for all the replies. I have a few things to go on now. The IT guy is one of the biggest abusers!! I was hoping to get an outsider in to do it overnight! As I said some need to use FB and internet but for work purposes (ie purchaser needs to find suppliers but does not need to surf for new shoes) Thats why I need something that will tell me WHAT they are looking at on the net.

The solution should be depending upon size of the company. So how big is the office? For about 5 people, a hardware solution would be overkill - on the other hand keyword blocking doesn't seem to be an option ether....

[whistleblower]

HOSTS file can be circumvented rather easily. You should really get a firewall anyway so contact your IT guy and see if he specializes in something like Sonicwall or Watchguard-type products. Open-source products, as mentioned, will work too if you want to mess with it. You can also block entertainment sites, other social-networking sites, etc. Everything costs money so you'll have to start by determining your budget. This project, implemented in the States, will cost about $1,000 for labor and hardware plus 1 year support - that's on the low-side. If they're playing on Facebook, they're costing you money in productivity so it will be worth the investment. You'll also need a company policy to deter circumventing the controls. For example, they can always use their phone to get on Facebook so a policy with repercussions, if discovered, will help get them back to work.

Thanks for all the replies. I have a few things to go on now. The IT guy is one of the biggest abusers!! I was hoping to get an outsider in to do it overnight! As I said some need to use FB and internet but for work purposes (ie purchaser needs to find suppliers but does not need to surf for new shoes) Thats why I need something that will tell me WHAT they are looking at on the net.

The solution should be depending upon size of the company. So how big is the office? For about 5 people, a hardware solution would be overkill - on the other hand keyword blocking doesn't seem to be an option ether....

!8 people in the office.

[Nebula]

There is one program in the schools ( in IT room, where the students learn) , now I forgot the name but, when the teacher turn it on, it loads all the computers and u can , by pointing at every little monitor, see what are the students doing. Then, if u double click it, it becomes big window, and u can click and move their mouse. This way you can also close their window or if they play a game, make the choice for them. It is funny. It also allows you to restart their computers, or make them see ur screen or others screens. May be can try this one.

Edited July 31, 2012 by Nebula

[h90]

There is one program in the schools ( in IT room, where the students learn) , now I forgot the name but, when the teacher turn it on, it loads all the computers and u can , by pointing at every little monitor, see what are the students doing. Then, if u double click it, it becomes big window, and u can click and move their mouse. This way you can also close their window or if they play a game, make the choice for them. It is funny. It also allows you to restart their computers, or make them see ur screen or others screens. May be can try this one.

Maybe there is a version of teamviewer for this?

[Somtamnication]

Use psychology.

I used My sgs2 rooted phone, loaded up a program that intercepts the wifi, loaded up a police image and that is all that the users can see when they go to facebook. It was fun watching them all scratch their heads.

The other image I then loaded, was a simple Thai script, asking " why aren´t you working? We do not pay you to go to facebook". Hilarious!!!!!

[beano2274]

Websense blocks facebook and MSN plus other things.

My company uses it, and even it if just sees the word Facebook (like a post here, if you try to open it the server says no, but other posts on Thaivisa are opened).

[h90]

Use psychology.

I used My sgs2 rooted phone, loaded up a program that intercepts the wifi, loaded up a police image and that is all that the users can see when they go to facebook. It was fun watching them all scratch their heads.

The other image I then loaded, was a simple Thai script, asking " why aren´t you working? We do not pay you to go to facebook". Hilarious!!!!!