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A Myspace Lockdown - Is It Possible?
Raxxon asks: "We (my business partner and I) were asked by a local company to help 'tighten up' their security. After looking at a few things we ran some options by the owner and he asked that we attempt to block access to MySpace. He cited reasons of wasted work time as well as some of the nightmare stories about spyware/viruses/etc. Work began and the more I dig into the subject the worse things look. You can block the 19 or 20 Class C Address Blocks that MySpace has, but then you get into problems of sites like "MySpace Bypass" and other such sites that allow you to bypass most of the filtering that's done. Other than becoming rather invasive (like installing Squid with customized screening setups) is there a way to effectively block MySpace from being accessed at a business? What about at home for those who would like to keep their kids off of it? If a dedicated web cache/proxy system is needed how do you prevent things like SSL enabled Proxy sites (denying MySpace but allowing any potentially 'legal' aspects)? In the end is it worth it compared to just adopting an Acceptable Use Policy that states that going to MySpace can lead to eventual dismissal from your job?"
with the bonus of making a lot of legitimate websites not work properly.
There, fixed that for you.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Bah, whitelists. If I can't find what I'm looking for as easily or I can't do what I need to do then the punishment is worse than the disease. The weird techblog or manufacturer's site or vendor is not going to be in the whitelist. Adding some stupid site I'll use once is retarded. And if your whitelist is so big "I'll never have a problem" then you aren't filtering much are you?
You wouldn't put a whitelist on your phones would you? Or what addresses your mailroom can send mail to?
I think productivity is higher and morale is better if you secure your systems and trust your users.
If you're a sadist though, go ahead. Stick it to the little man! The frustration and delays are a small price to pay to make people feel unappreciated!
Man, you really need that seminar!
I'd definitely vote against... why? Because I want the State to be able to hire smart people and treat them like professionals instead of wasting my money on a bunch of rule-crazy bureaucrats who do nothing but sit around patting themselves on the back about how they're more loyal to the taxpayers than the next guy.
Beauty is just a light switch away.