News

Increase Workers Productivity

Use software to control what users see and where they can go

Content filtering is commonly used by business both small and large to prevent computer users from viewing inappropriate web sites and content, or as a pre-emptive security measure to prevent access of known virus/malware websites. For example many of the free gaming websites are riddled with viruses which are downloaded when the games are installed. Filtering rules are typically decided by business owners and may be implemented via software on individual computers or at a central point on the network such as an Internet router. Depending on the sophistication of the system used, it may be possible for different computer users to have different levels of Internet access. OpenDNS offers a solution which is very low cost and often can be used with existing Internet routers/firewalls. This solution is a hosted service (no additional hardware to purchase). It be used to monitor employee Internet access and block/filter known malicious websites.

OpenDNS can also be used to block websites that are a potential drain on employee productivity. For more information please visit the website below:

http://www.opendns.com/solutions/overview/

 

Use hardware to control what users see and where they can go

Another option that is more robust and offers greater security/control is a dedicated Unified Threat Management (UTM) appliance. A UTM appliance would replace your current Internet firewall and makes many services available to you. These services include remote access (VPN), web filtering, anti-virus, anti-spam and network security.

There are usually annual subscription fees associated with these types of devices for updated anti-virus/anti-spam signatures. For more information please visit the link below to one of our partners:

http://www.prosecure.netgear.com/products/prosecure-utm-series/

Keep kids safe on the Internet

You wouldn't let your kids go to the beach without sunscreen or ride in a car without a seatbelt. So why would you let them go online without proper protection? There are many software solutions on the market today that can help monitor and block certain Internet content. The one I focus on for the newsletter is a free software service from Symantec called Norton Online Family. The software is installed on the computer your children use and monitors both web sites that are visited and social networking applications (Facebook, etc). Sites can be blocked based on age, destination or time of day. When a web site is blocked a parent can be notified via e-mail. Parents can then login to a web portal to review web "surfing" activity.

For more information please visit the link below: https://onlinefamily.norton.com/familysafety/whyUseNOF.fs

**Please note if you decide to use Norton Online Family you must restrict administrative access on the computer in which you install Norton Online Family. This will prevent the software from being disabled or un-installed. Contact us if you need assistance with setting up Norton Online Family.