Help: sites blocked @ work

[nanahachi]

hey all.
I was wondering if anyone knew any ways to access sites that are blocked by the servers at work. Basically, i'd like to access aim express & msn webmessenger, but can't. we used to be able to, but recent changes to beef up security (they say) are preventing that.

a friend mentioned proxy servers, but i have no idea what/how to do that.

any help you folks can lend would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[sassysound]

proxy

find your self a public proxy.

 

[Imyourzero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanahachi hey all. I was wondering if anyone knew any ways to access sites that are blocked by the servers at work.

Yeah, take the head IT guy out and offer to buy him a few drinks.

 

[nanahachi]

zero: you're prob right

sassy: any tips or particular proxies to try? ill look into that tonight, thanks for the suggestion!


anyone else have any thoughts? Again, thanks, all.

 

[sassysound]

type in public free proxy in to google. Just careful not to type in any kind of personal information to any website while going thru it.

 

[dommica]

http://www.stubsoft.com/Proxy/proxy.cgi
Have fun

Dom

 

[nanahachi]

jawsome!

thanks dom. unfortunately, aimexpress uses a javascript popup window to do its thing, so ill have to see what i can do about that. the msn webmessenger page doesnt work either. but thats a terrific link, and i'm sure it will come in handy. thanks so much, guys.

 

[SunByrne]

Just be careful about this. Many employers not only make it hard to access certain sites, they also track usage (there's a nice cottage industry in this kind of "big brother" software), and people have lost their jobs for hitting sites they're not supposed to while at work. Check your company policy on this very carefully first, that's all.

 

[Elec]

Go ask your sysadmin or netadmin. There may be ways to get around what they've put in place, but they tend not to be real happy when people take the initiative to do that. It's possible the services have been blocked as a catch-all and that if you go explain why you want/need them and promise not to be stupid or abuse them, they'll have no problem turning 'em back on for you (or telling you how to make things work). Just don't go get yourself fired because you wanted to bounce IMs around on company time.

And feel lucky you've got internet at all - the majority of the time, I have no internet access while at work

 

[Stephonovich]

Yeah, while a proxy server would probably work (or if not, set up a VPN tunnel to your box at home - assuming that's not blocked), the problem then arises when an admin notices your activity. I agree in that the best way is to buddy up to one of 'em. You don't want to be on their bad side. Angry geeks are a force to be reckoned with, especially when they can ruin your job

 

[gloco]

Also remember that programs like aim are blocked due to virus problems. I also know certain IT guys can look in your pc and see what you're up to

 

[Julz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunByrne Just be careful about this. Many employers not only make it hard to access certain sites, they also track usage (there's a nice cottage industry in this kind of "big brother" software), and people have lost their jobs for hitting sites they're not supposed to while at work. Check your company policy on this very carefully first, that's all.

Yep ! In my company, it's all the reason they need to fire you, it's really frowned upon. One guy in IT (luckily, he's my bud !) showed me my PC's network address had logged this site for 4 hours !! Generally speaking, mild use of the internet on sites allowed by our beloved Websense, is tolerated, but I wouldn't want to push it...

 

[D-EJ915]

have AIM program on flash drive...

since my school used IE and would delete all your stuff if you installed something.,..I kept Opera on mine

 

[mfueger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elec Go ask your sysadmin or netadmin. There may be ways to get around what they've put in place, but they tend not to be real happy when people take the initiative to do that. It's possible the services have been blocked as a catch-all and that if you go explain why you want/need them and promise not to be stupid or abuse them, they'll have no problem turning 'em back on for you (or telling you how to make things work). Just don't go get yourself fired because you wanted to bounce IMs around on company time. And feel lucky you've got internet at all - the majority of the time, I have no internet access while at work

Wise words. With today's security risks you really don't want to fool around. I much rather have someone ask than finding out through the logs or audits. I would be po'd especially when having been open with policies and understanding the lunch break email check.

 

[cire]

get back to work ya lazy bum!