IT guys: How do you handle a situation where you can monitor the internet abuse usage of an employee in a company

[krunchykrome]

IT guys, say you become aware of an employee who is abusing the internet at the company. What do you do next?



Basically, Im an intern at a large corporation. That means that sometimes I have work to do, and most of the time I have nothing to do from 9am-5pm. So, I go on the internet, mainly ATOT. I've been "abusing" internet usage for maybe 5 months now. A couple months ago, when I logged onto my computer in the morning, I got a small pop up message saying:

"This computer will run system, application, and audit logs at all times."

And since then, I've continued my internet abusing ways. And not once, has anyone contacted me or warned me or anything at all. My question is what is going on up there (referring to the IT dept.)? Do they care? Any tips from inside guys (IT guys)?

 

[KLin]

Big brother is watching you. :evil:

 

[Steve]

You'll find out when you get a call, email, or tap on the shoulder. Or not asked back to work there.

 

[Baked]

You're not surfing a porn site, you're not leeching massive company bandwidth by using BT or Newsgroup. They can care less.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Baked
You're not surfing a porn site, you're not leeching massive company bandwidth by using BT or Newsgroup. They can care less.

Nope. All Im doing is neffing on ATOT. Checking my email a few times a day. Nothing NSFW. Just a hell of a lot of internet usage.

Why did they put that little pop up security warning up when I log in?

 

[SampSon]

Yes, they are trying to tell you something.

 

[FrequencyX]

It alomost be impossible to thumb through all the traffic logs in our department. The only time a red flag comes up, is through the content filter.

We use a system called Barracuda, which logs all internet traffic, blocked virus attempts,spyware attempts and any blocked content through the filter. The log stops at about 250,000 hits and dumps the log, but the content report stays.
I get a daily report which shows me the top blocked content users and category (porn,surf,adult etc).

We usually take action on porn browsers through the company. Normal surfing is quite common here, and its very hard to curb.

 

[MrWizzard]

Consider yourself warned. IT people don?t always use direct conversations to convey their message.

If you really are worried ask your Sup. about the internet usage policy at the company.

Problem solved.

If you get fired blame yourself for never finding out.

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Baked
You're not surfing a porn site, you're not leeching massive company bandwidth by using BT or Newsgroup. They can care less.

Nope. All Im doing is neffing on ATOT. Checking my email a few times a day. Nothing NSFW. Just a hell of a lot of internet usage.

Why did they put that little pop up security warning up when I log in?

My guess would be that someone is doing the above described activity(s) and IT found out about it. I would imagine that pop up is global and everyone is seeing it when they log in now.

 

[MisterJackson]

search "goatse" and "lemonparty" for the appropriate measures to take to ensure your safety.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: KLin
The fat balding guy that fell asleep in the tape library storage room MIGHT be watching you. :evil:

fixed:laugh:

 

[BillGates]

The little pop up message might be an automated script that comes up when everybody logs on. Did you ask anybody else if they get the message? As long as you get your work done and don't distract others with your surfing, I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[coolred]

I got yelled at today for using yahoo launchcast to listen to music. They weren't happy that my internet radio was sucking up the bandwidth from our 2 T1 lines

 

[yowolabi]

Unless you're surfing porn or something, all the information is simply being stored. It won't be used unless they need an excuse to fire you, in which case you were screwed anyway.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: Baked
You're not surfing a porn site, you're not leeching massive company bandwidth by using BT or Newsgroup. They can care less.

..thats my experience. The only ones that get pinched are the porn heads.

 

[Oakenfold]

You need to check your company Internet Policy usage guidelines.
Your company should have a document that states what is considered to be acceptable use. My company uses a signed document that is kept with your HR file.

 

[DaiShan]

It isn't tech that cares what you browse, so long as you don't make their lives more difficult, it's management. If management decides that AT is a waste of time for you, then they'll have tech block/monitor you for that.

 

[JSClark]

Heh, at my last job, if I even surfed CNN for 2 minutes, I got yelled...

.... now I work at an internet company

 

[Cloud Strife]

http://www.workfriendly.net

Problems solved. :laugh:

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
My question is what is going on up there (referring to the IT dept.)? Do they care? Any tips from inside guys (IT guys)?

Unless you're surfing porn, streaming video, downloading pirated software, or anything in that vein of "abuse" - I can honestly say we don't give a damn.

You're worried about posting on internet forums? What do you think we do all day?

- M4H

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: Cloud Strife
http://www.workfriendly.net

Problems solved. :laugh:

that is KICKASS! I'd need it at my workplace. I work in a call center and they're Nazis about internet usage that's not work related.

 

[krunchykrome]

Ah, Im soo paranoid.