How is your company monitoring your Internet use? (screen, how to, working)

[sam23]

I work for a big outfit. Sites are blocked based on content and websense monitors your internet activity if they want to bust you for something. Blogs, images, porn sites, most forums, ebay, alcohol/gambling related sites are all blocked. They just block you right off the bat to cut down on having to monitor where your going.

[macroy]

Just another example. I was asked to provide some info today to help terminate an employee. Through our web filter, I was able to provide the exact locations/pages the individual visited for various times in the recent past.

Was someone looking at his activity in real time? Absolutely not - we don't have the resources for that - nor would anyone actually be willing to do that. But all that stuff is logged and archived. What I DO do on a daily basis is run reports of users that had the most activity on a daily basis as well who had the most blocked activity daily.

Its pretty amazing where people are trying to surf while at work.... especially when they KNOW they are being monitored.

[LenaP]

I'd say that usually big companies do not monitor every detail - no need. What they need - to be organized in general. They might monitor internet usage to see in general some trends, but not every single click. I work for a big size company and they monitor internet usage with app called WorkTime - it does not record screens and it does not log keys, so if you are not the first employee spending too much time browsing - you are OK.

[LenaP]

Forgot to add link for WorkTime:
[url=http://www.nestersoft.com/worktime]Time Tracking Software[/url]

[WillysB]

I'm working at a company that is subject to banking laws and federal relationships. Some customers refer to it as a quasi-governmental company... whatever. The company does block some sites and does monitor internet use although actual privilege is subject to a person's manager's allowance. Friggin figures.

We do use internet regularly for process purposes and can make other internet references for pertinent info. As a contractor, my use of the internet for personal reasons would be my ticket to the exit door. As is a cell phone in an on state.

[new_guy_2010]

Hey Lena,generally how long are the logs kept in the company's database?

[new_guy_2010]

Originally Posted by LenaP

I'd say that usually big companies do not monitor every detail - no need. What they need - to be organized in general. They might monitor internet usage to see in general some trends, but not every single click. I work for a big size company and they monitor internet usage with app called WorkTime - it does not record screens and it does not log keys, so if you are not the first employee spending too much time browsing - you are OK.

Hey Lena,generally how long do companies keep these logs?Are they erased say after 6 months?

[new_guy_2010]

Hey Mac for how long are these logs kept assuming that the corporation is a big one

[hillcountrywinefan]

The company I work for is small (54 employees) but each year every employee signs an agreement stating that any electronic asset or resource the company provides is subject to monitoring at any time for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, Blackberry devices, email, phones, voice mail, and all computers and copiers / printers.

We employ web filtering and will track users time spent on a weekly basis and if a threshold is exceeded, a report is emailed to that employee's supervisor. Violations of categories that are blocked are immediately emailed to the employee's supervisor.

[hillcountrywinefan]

Originally Posted by new_guy_2010

Hey Mac for how long are these logs kept assuming that the corporation is a big one

Each company will vary depending on what their data retention policy is. We archive all of our data in the event any legal actions.