Question for IT guys

[SkyhighRocks]

We're in the process of purchasing an optometry practice (my wife is an optometrist) and there are about 5-7 computers there that we've had to set up a server/router for to run certain software.

The question I have is if there is an easy way to block employees from accessing certain websites while they are working. I did find this site but I'm not sure if this will do the trick:

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[guitarnate2000]

netnanny will work..

you can also install websense but licensing on that is pretty $$$$$$

I would go with netnanny and lock everything down.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Funny you mention net nanny because I was just on their site.

 

[Gainfreak]

If you only have about 5 pc's and you know the sites that you want to block, id just go into Internet explorer tools and block the sites that you don't want them to go to and make sure that you lock dwon the users pc by not giving the user administrator rites. Its the cheapest and easiest way to go IMHO. If you really want to lock them down then you will probably need some software but it depends on how crazy you want to get. Ive locked down some people here so that they can only go to our site and that's it lol. it was all done in IE.

Hope this helps

~R~

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I thought of that as well, Ralph...maybe use windows firewall with user accounts for the employees since if I block IE, they could always go download firefox or safari...unless I block those too.

 

[Gainfreak]

I thought of that as well, Ralph...maybe use windows firewall with user accounts for the employees since if I block IE, they could always go download firefox or safari...unless I block those too.

Well that's why I said to lock them down and not give them administrator rites! The people who I have locked down could download anything if they tried lol

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I understand what you're saying...we'd have employee accounts set up on each computer but how would I lock them down? They will need to be able to download certain things from insurance sites for example.

 

[bsp01]

You mentioned a server and a router. Many routers will allow blocking sites right on the router. There is proxy software available (squid, ISA) for a server install as well.

 

[Gainfreak]

I understand what you're saying...we'd have employee accounts set up on each computer but how would I lock them down? They will need to be able to download certain things from insurance sites for example.

That's the tradeoff. Whenever they need to download something it is done for them and they can pick it up on a server. With that said bsp01 mentioned another option

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Got it...thanks guys!

 

[peaveyT60]

a lot of routers come with firewalls on them. you could block it at the router level instead of each computer. centralized management. that way you just make one change to it.

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/BEFSX41

i attached a network diagram.