Limiting Web use

[Rex Rhoades]

Hi,

We recently had a crippling, costly computer virus pass through our company. As a result, it has been proposed that we limit Web use in our newsroom to pre-approved sites at workstations, then allow unlimited browsing on several dedicated off-system terminals.

Has anyone used this or other approaches to increase system security? How would this affect newsroom productivity: positively (less browsing unrelated to job) or negatively (inconvenience)?

[Bobbie Jo Buel]

Rex: I don't see how the list of pre-approved sites could ever be adequate, which means journalists either wouldn't turn up what they need or they'd spend unproductive time moving between the approved workstations and the off-system stations. Can you share details on how the virus got into your system? Bobbie Jo

[Rex Rhoades]

Hi Bobbie Jo,

Fortunately, using similar responses submitted by others, we were able to ward off this initiative. Our IT people tell me they do not know how the virus got into our system. This proposal was simply aimed at decreasing the likelihood of a virus striking again. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Rex

[Laura Builds]

Sounds like you need new IT people.

Laura B
Family leisure

[Laura Sellers]

Or a Mac-based system.

On the original question: An April study from the University of Melbourne found employees who were allowed to surf for fun (less than 20% of their work time) were 9% more productive than those who weren't.

[Thomas Smith]

Why a Mac-based system. Are Macs more immune to infections like these?

Thomas
Vision Exteriors