Stopping use of office internet

[neha]

Hi

I would like to prevent other people from using Internet in my office. I dont have a problem with people using it during lunch time But I have some employee who use it all day and I have tried telling them it stops for a day or 2 and then stars again. Is there something like a router etc that can preventthem from going on line. I cant cut the internet completely as our office is networked and we use a software that everyone has to use for work.

Anyhelp will be appreciated

Thanks

[MrMoo]

You can install this on each users desktop, and set very low or zero rates during working hours:

http://www.netlimiter.com/

Heavier tactics include tomato firmware on a Linksys WRT or equivalent router, or setting up an old PC with pfsense. Various skill levels and effort is required.

[Skyhook]

Hmmm, personally I don't have a problem with internet at the office, providing the produce the expected work thats required.. Especially if said staff are expected to work 3 or 4 ours each day unpaid overtime, you have to give a little to get.

If you run an office like a teacher student situation, you'll end up with an office morale problem, and it will be managements fault, not the staff who will only react to your internal policies..

[neha]

I agree that is why I dont stop any of my staff from using internet or personal calls etc. It is just one employee who just keeps her internet explorer open all the time browsing in between work and doesnt do her work properly

[JohanSWE]

You can usually block certain services such as msn, qq, icq etc. and websites with a router.
Any new router will support these functions, and they are fairly easy to setup.
Netgear has a good function with a timer to block lets say msn messenger during working hours and allowing it during lets say lunch and weekends as an example.

[mjk]

I have heard about an office where they do not restrict, but monitor internet usage. Once a month the office manager will pass everybody a print out which websites they have visited, and how often. Without making any further comments.

Works fine I was told. The staff is still using it, but also know when to stop.

[Skyhook]

MJK has the right idea, but neha, if you only have one staff member who is abusing the system, it can't be all that bad....

You can run individual profiles for each pc running on a communal LAN, via a network administrator. So depending on each staff members responsibility level they have more or less access to the system, inc the internet...

It's pretty easy to set up, but might piss off a few people who were not abusing the system previously.

Best to adopt MJK's idea and have regular weekly meetings that raise that issue, without pointing any fingers... Collectively, the office will sort itself out.

[neha]

well will try and see what happens. it is bad because we are a small company and each individual has a certain job to do and if she is busy browsing it slows others too

thanks for all your replies

[JohanSWE]

Yeah I would also go with MJK's idea.
Forcing restrictions is never a good way if you ask me.