ACK! My daytime posting on AT may be coming to a screeching halt!

[MichaelD]

So, I get into work this morning and have an email from the Network Nazi's:



<< Starting Monday the 11th, we will be implementing SMARTFILTER, which is a URL filtering program on our network. This is being done to cut down/eliminate improper use of the Internet while at work. The types of URLs that will be filtered (banned) are: >>





Chat Gambling
Criminal skills Games
Cult Hate speech
Dating Humor
Drugs Investments
Entertainment Nonessential
Extreme Opinion
Personal Sex
Worthless Usenet


I'm assuming AT falls under one of these? This is very sad. Oh, darn. I may have to actually work, while at work a whole 9 hours a day.

 

[minendo]

<< I'm assuming AT falls under one of these? >>


Actually I would say that ATOT falls under just about all those at times.

 

[Arschloch]

I think that first and Foremost, AT falls under the "Computer/Tech" category.

Therefore, I don't think they should cut you off.

OF course, they may disagree....

 

[veryape]

If you can download that filtering program, do it and see if it filters out AT.

 

[cipher00]

Dunno. My network guys are pretty severe, but I manage to get through. Like now.

 

[MichaelD]

I'm no hacker, but I know enough to be dangerous. The problem is that I'm just a node (sounds like a country song...) on a huge network. We run NT on all these boxes and I have NO admin rights...I can't even install a lousy trackball mouse driver w/o an Admin password. We are locked down tight.

So, assuming AT does get blocked, how to go around it? Go to another site (Google/Yahoo/etc) and go from there?

BTW, I am assuming they'll also be blocking random sites based upon "DNS usage" or "hits" i.e. I know the server logs show "http://forums.anandtech.com" about a million times a day! They don't know what it is, but will prolly block it out of principle.

Hints? Suggestions? Punt?

 

[b0mbrman]

<<

<< I'm assuming AT falls under one of these? >>


Actually I would say that ATOT falls under just about all those at times. >>


But if you tell them you get tech help from ATOT, you should be fine

 

[malbojah]

MichaelD, sounds like you work for my company...except we never got around to implamenting anything like that. We're still busy trying to figure out how to get Visio and Acrobat to print properly on Windows 2000 using Microsofts postscript driver.

 

[Fausto]

That's it....burn down the building (just make sure you rescue your stapler before you do).

Fausto

 

[iamwiz82]

you might be able to use an anonymizer. You could set one up at home, go to it via the internet will at work and boom, you have a proxy.

 

[SaltBoy]

Uh yeah, Anandtech is DEFINITELY under the Personal Sex category.

 

[Kev]

I wouldn't think AT would fit under any of that...

 

[lebe0024]

<< Criminal skills Games >>


First Person Shooters? LOL!

 

[CKDragon]

<<

<< Criminal skills Games >>


First Person Shooters? LOL! >>



ATOT is all about the Criminal Skills.

CK

 

[MichaelD]

LOL at some of the responses! Heheheh, "Criminal Skills Games" = FPS...LMAO!

I'm posting now, (no duh) so I guess it's not blocked. My boss (female) is pissed off. She tried Redbook.com and it's blocked as "entertainment." Hahahahahahahaha! I'm wondering if Joecartoon.com is blocked.....*goes and checks.*

 

[Viper GTS]

Even if they do block forums.anandtech.com, there very well may be a way around it.

For example, try alternate URL's: forums1, forums2, subscriber.anandtech.com, etc.

Also, try it by IP. Many times IT is smart enough to block a URL but doesn't have the intelligence to also block the IP it resolves to. Or if they get one IP, they might not get them all.

Do you have broadband? Or a permanent connection on your home PC, whatever it is? Look into Triangle Boy.

I'm lucky, as long as I'm available to take a call I AM doing my job, if they ever took away web access a huge percentage of us would quit.

Viper GTS

 

[mithrandir2001]

IDZap

Clones the URL so it gets through filters.

 

[Aceman]

You'll probably be alright. I've got that on my military computer and I can get into ATOT. The won't let me go to CNNSI.com, but I can shop all I want on EBAY! Go figure!

 

[Hammer]

My company is extremely strict about stuff like that and filters out everything. I get around it by using WinXP remote desktop and posting through my home computer.

 

[Viper GTS]

<< My company is extremely strict about stuff like that and filters out everything. I get around it by using WinXP remote desktop and posting through my home computer. >>



Now THAT is a sign of the truly desperate.

My IT department has so many ports locked down it's a bitch to get out on ANYTHING.

As long as I can get here, I'll be happy.

Viper GTS

 

[MichaelD]

Wow, cool responses. Thanks for the linkies and suggestions.

Today is the first day of implementation for this SMARTFTP thingee. The obvious ones are blocked. Most chatrooms. Puzzles.com and things like that.

Have a great day.

 

[MichaelD]

OMG!:Q I just tried to go to that IDZAP linky that Mithrandr2001 posted. I got an immediate WSOD (White Screen of Death...) that said:



<< The site you have requested has been blocked by SMARTFILTER. Strictly forbidden under the category of SEX. Do not attempt to access this site again. >>



Man, I hope I don't get a nasty phone call...

 

[Viper GTS]

<< OMG!:Q I just tried to go to that IDZAP linky that Mithrandr2001 posted. I got an immediate WSOD (White Screen of Death...) that said:



<< The site you have requested has been blocked by SMARTFILTER. Strictly forbidden under the category of SEX. Do not attempt to access this site again. >>



Man, I hope I don't get a nasty phone call... >>



It's probably categorized as such because it has the potential to be used for anything. It's blocked by my proxy as well, as are the multitude of other anonymous surfing sites.

Viper GTS

 

[Nightfall]

Sometimes, it pays to be part of the IT department. I love bypassing the proxy and browsing where I want without it being in the logs. Course, I don't like babysitting, but there has to be the occassional dork or two who I have to report cause they are looking at porn.

 

[yakko]

It could be worse. Our network guys have it so fscked up I can't even get to CNN's website.