Internet Blocking and Filtering

InterMute, Inc.

SurfControl PLC

Webroot Software, Inc.

Guide to Internet Blocking and Filtering

Monitor employees' surfing habits in order to boost their performance
By Matt Alderton

The Internet has created innumerable opportunities for small business. But it has also created new challenges, one of which is the problem of unauthorized and potentially harmful or costly Web surfing by employees.

Many companies, small and large alike, monitor employees' computer usage. Some even control it, choosing which sites their staff can and can't see, in an effort to promote efficiency and preserve security. You might consider blocking or filtering certain Web sites from your own network in order to:

1. Check employee productivity
2. Protect your network from viruses
3. Improve your network's performance
4. Keep your proprietary information private.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Recognize the risk The first step in Internet blocking and filtering is understanding how uncontrolled Web surfing can affect your business.

I recommend:  Use this cost calculator from WebBalanced.com to determine how much money your company is losing due to lost productivity and how much you can save by implementing a blocking or filtering program.

Evaluate your needs Do you need to know when your employees are online, what Web sites they're visiting and more? Or do you only want to keep employees off of gaming, shopping and adult sites?

I recommend:  If you're looking for a does-it-all solution, try a filtering solution, such as Secure Computing's Webwasher Secure Content Management Suite, which includes a URL filter and content reporter, along with anti-spam and anti-virus capabilities. Or, for something a little more basic, try a Web-blocking program, such as Websense Enterprise.

Learn your rights and risks You can legally control Internet usage without employee consent or knowledge. In fact, if you don't, you can be held liable if an employee is accessing material that offends his or her peers. Be mindful, however, of the fine line between responsible filtering and restrictive filtering; the best managers trust their employees and respect their privacy.

I recommend:  Explore employer and employee rights in the realm of electronic privacy by reviewing the National Workrights Institute's page on Electronic Monitoring.

Develop an Internet usage policy Don't just let your software do the work of filtering. Establish policies that outline what kinds of sites should be accessed at work and which shouldn't, and rely on your employees to self-censor.

I recommend:  Create your policy by customizing these sample Internet Usage Policies from the American Bar Association, Authenticity Consulting or KnowledgeLeader.

Select software or a Web-based solution Most filtering software combines monitoring with blocking, and costs between $300 and $600. Web-based solutions may do the same for less.

I recommend:  Browse software options online for the best price and most compatible features at Google Directory or Yahoo! Shopping Directory. For a Web-based solution, try WebBalanced or FastTracker, both of which offer online demos.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Before you invest in a filtering solution, take it for a test drive; most vendors offer a free download of their software that's good for a short trial period.
• Inevitably, an employee will accidentally access a restricted site. When you're monitoring Internet usage, leave room for occasional mistakes.
• It's not enough to filter Web sites. To stay secure, you must also guard against unwanted content and files in employees' emails and on their hard drives; start by installing good anti-virus software on all office computers.
• Beware: Web-blocking software might unintentionally block sites that are useful to your employees. Be willing and able to develop a white list of approved sites that are mistakenly blocked.