Need to monitor one computer's web surfing.

[OscarVogel]

I've been told by management to stop a particular employee from surfing the
web. This is a small business and we've never felt the need to restrict
anyone's web activity. But this one guy spends way too much time on the
internet.

So I've used IE6's Content Advisor to on his Win2k computer to block access
to all but a few approved web sites (Artical ID: 267930). A few times he's
called me when he's been blocked from getting to a couple of web sites that
he needed. On those occasions I've gone to his desk and typed in the
password to allow access. Also I've removed his user account from the
local Administrators group.

But last week management complained that he's STILL "abusing the internet".
in his IE "History" I discovered that he somehow was able to connect to
LogMeIn.com. I suppose he used a logmein account to connect to his home
computer's desktop and surf from there. And he could have discovered the
Content Advisor password by simply looking over my shoulder. So I've
changed the password. If my assumptions have been correct, that should stop
his web surfing.

But he's pretty smart, and I don't have much experience at blocking
someone's internet access. I'm sure there's still ways for him to get
around the restrictions, like maybe by launching a different browser (with
only "User" privledges (?)). I don't want to spend all my time playing this
little game. But I SURE don't want to have management complain about this
for a 3rd time.

So I'd like use an open source utility to monitor his local computer so that
if he finds another way to web surf, I'll know about it. I'd be happy to
take any suggestions about how to better lock down him computer. But my
primary need is a way to monitor his computer's connections

Any ideas? Thanks?

 

[Tom Willett]

This employee apparently doesn't have enough work to do. Suggest management
re-evaluates his responsibilities and add more.

| I've been told by management to stop a particular employee from surfing
the
| web. This is a small business and we've never felt the need to restrict
| anyone's web activity. But this one guy spends way too much time on the
| internet.
|
| So I've used IE6's Content Advisor to on his Win2k computer to block
access
| to all but a few approved web sites (Artical ID: 267930). A few times
he's
| called me when he's been blocked from getting to a couple of web sites
that
| he needed. On those occasions I've gone to his desk and typed in the
| password to allow access. Also I've removed his user account from the
| local Administrators group.
|
| But last week management complained that he's STILL "abusing the
internet".
| in his IE "History" I discovered that he somehow was able to connect to
| LogMeIn.com. I suppose he used a logmein account to connect to his home
| computer's desktop and surf from there. And he could have discovered the
| Content Advisor password by simply looking over my shoulder. So I've
| changed the password. If my assumptions have been correct, that should
stop
| his web surfing.
|
| But he's pretty smart, and I don't have much experience at blocking
| someone's internet access. I'm sure there's still ways for him to get
| around the restrictions, like maybe by launching a different browser (with
| only "User" privledges (?)). I don't want to spend all my time playing
this
| little game. But I SURE don't want to have management complain about this
| for a 3rd time.
|
| So I'd like use an open source utility to monitor his local computer so
that
| if he finds another way to web surf, I'll know about it. I'd be happy to
| take any suggestions about how to better lock down him computer. But my
| primary need is a way to monitor his computer's connections
|
| Any ideas? Thanks?
|

 

[OscarVogel]

Of coarse you're right. He DOES need more work to do. But business is slow.

Hey, maybe if he's so good at figuring out how to get around my restrictions
he could do my job better than me!

See what I'm saying?

 

[Enkidu]

I've been told by management to stop a particular employee from surfing
the web. This is a small business and we've never felt the need to
restrict anyone's web activity. But this one guy spends way too much
time on the internet.

This is a management problem not a technical problem. You need to
convince management of that. They should not pass the buck down to you.
If there is no 'acceptable use' policy in place they should get him to
sign one. Then fire him if he doesn't comply.

They have a choice - ignore his surfing or fire him. It's not your
problem. They may need logs as evidence though.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[GO]

As other's have already said, this is really not your problem. You'll
continously will be playing cat and mouse with this guy anyways. Your
management needs to put a network acceptable use policy in place. You've
also stated that business is slow and I'm assuming that this guy does get
his actual work done. If this is the case, then what's the problem? This
really is a management issue; they should either: leave him be, give him
more work/responsibilities, or let him go.

 

[PA20Pilot]

Hi,

........So I'd like use an open source utility to monitor his local computer

I use a key logging program for that. It'll show the URL to every page
visited as well as everything that's been typed on the keyboard.

The running program isn't shown in task manager, so it's real hard for
anyone to tell there even is such a thing monitoring their internet
travels.

This one is similar to what I'm using.
http://www.brezosoft.com/softwarelib/soft5948.htm

---==X={}=X==---

Jim Self

AVIATION ANIMATION, the internet's largest depository.
http://avanimation.avsupport.com

Your only internet source for spiral staircase plans.
http://jself.com/stair/Stair.htm

Experimental Aircraft Association #140897
EAA Technical Counselor #4562

 

[Jaime Rodríguez]

Hello,

I'm not such an expert but i do have similar issues with some users, the
workaround i do is as follows:

Not to make his user part of administrators but simple user or guest user.
go to LAN connection and delete gateway and dns ip entries.
uncheck "show icon in the taskbar when connected" (translation from spanish,
hope is accurate).

After that, being unable to open properties in network connection, your user
won't be able to suft the Internet. However, this will STOP all browsing,
all Internet. I do agree with the others, this is a management issue, you
will continue to play this cat-mouse game, and believe me, it's not a
pleasant thing, i do this all the time and i know what you're talking about.
This countermeasure is more like "a punishment" so he won't be surfing, he
might still need Internet to do some of his duties, but this will lay some
pressure on his side since he can't perform or do his duties on time.

However, you might need a firewall, like ISASERVER for accurate and better
control.

Hope this might come in handy.

JR.