Messenger Programs Banned at Work :(

[lilFajita]

Ok, I work at a pretty big firm, and so we got a memo last month that said that all messenger programs had to be removed from our computers at work. Its suppose to be for security reasons. I'm kinda pissed. I mean, the work day can be pretty long if you don't get to let off some steam and chat with a friend. They said it is for security reasons, because they cannot monitor what information you are sending out (files and such). I have two questions:

1) There are programs that allow you to automatically log all conversations (like AIM+). Couldn't they just default the save location for everyone's logs to a protected drive so they would be able to monitor them as necessary?

2) Does that mean I can still use AIM Express? You can't send/receive files on that.

Anyway, no more chatting for me. At least I have AnandTech....

 

[ndee]

You can still send emails.

 

[Keego]

sounds like AIM Express is a good alternative, maybe they can make it a company policy to use that or something. I dunno.

 

[trmiv]

That sucks. I use Yahoo messenger at work a lot. Some to chat with friends, but a lot to chat with co-workers. I do phone tech support, so it's great to have messenger to ask a coworker a question that you are not sure how to answer without having to get off the phone.

I know Yahoo has a java client that doesn't install anything, is that what AIM express is?

 

[SaintGRW]

they could do AIM+ i think that every business should require you to have AIM or some sort of messanger service so you can get in touch w/ other employee's ASAP without having to e-mail a message going i need the file by 3pm. or something and the person is busy on the project and doesn't check his/her mail. idk i just think messanger service's are the best invention ever. but then again according to an online test i'm 99% addicted to AIM...

 

[Rallispec]

yeah aim express should work

 

[Jzero]

I read an interesting article about this just the other day. Another one of the risks that is considered is what you say and under whose auspices you act while you're on-line at work. For instance, you could be giving help or information to a client. You could then leave the company, never tell this client, log in under your s/n and masquerade as still being an employee.

There's a world of risk. If they are doing it to resolve a serious security problem, that's good. As long as that's not the facade they are using to cover the fact that they really think it will magically increase employee productivity.

As for something like AIM+, they would need to install and manage it, and despite this, how do you force everyone to use it and to not redirect the logs elsewhere or shut it off?

If they block it the way my company did, you won't be able to get to AIM Express.

 

[MrMilney]

Don't you hate it when the boss wants you to actually work when you're on the clock?

>ducking<

 

[lilFajita]

Messenger is so much easier than email- you know when people are there...

Yeah, AIM Express is java based. Right now, I can still get on Express, and if this is for a security reason, then that should be fine since you can't send or receive files.

I think they are trying to come up with some sort of internal messenging solution, which is great in its own right, but that still means I will be bored between conference calls. I'm a productive gal (this is my lunch hour btw), but even I need a little release

 

[Jzero]

if this is for a security reason, then that should be fine since you can't send or receive files.

See my post above about why it's not just file sharing the may be concerned about. What sector is your company in? Financial and related firms are doubly concerned about that kind of stuff, but a lot of other sectors are concerned as well.

 

[PCHO]

Originally posted by: MrMilney
Don't you hate it when the boss wants you to actually work when you're on the clock?

>ducking<

That's what I was thinking. Damn those production craving superiors! Damn them straight to hell!!

 

[spidey07]

Expect the trend to eliminate or BAN IM programs at work. the security risks from viruses and the like is too great, not to mention lost productivity.

Current trends are to run an in-house messaging program. I've been on a few projects where the enterprise has requested to completely block the big four IMs. You simply block all traffic to the authentication servers - boom. No more AIM, MS, ICQ, Yahoo.

 

[Fausto]

Wah. I don't even have the ability to write to the registry on my PC at work (read: can't install jack-sh*t......not even something small like a popup stopper), much less use messenging programs. :|

 

[lilFajita]

Originally posted by: Jzero

if this is for a security reason, then that should be fine since you can't send or receive files.

See my post above about why it's not just file sharing the may be concerned about. What sector is your company in? Financial and related firms are doubly concerned about that kind of stuff, but a lot of other sectors are concerned as well.

I definetly see how it would be a concern in consulting and financial firms, but we don't have clients that we communicate with directly. Any business related use of a messenging system would be within the company (which is why some sort of internal system...they mentioned NetMeeting?...would work, from that perspective)

I knew I would get dogged for slacking

 

[andylawcc]

just a little side note:

for those who use ICQ200x, you can also use ICQlite or ICQtoGo (log on to go.icq.com/ it will automatically does everything)
no installation, it is just a java [script?] program.

 

[stev0]

maybe you shouldn't be chatting at work anyway... just nef here

 

[ElFenix]

why do you think i've posted 5000 times in the last 4.5 months?

actually go.icq.com works really well.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: MrMilney
Don't you hate it when the boss wants you to actually work when you're on the clock?

>ducking<

Mega dittos, and I AIN'T ducking!

 

[lilFajita]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: MrMilney
Don't you hate it when the boss wants you to actually work when you're on the clock?

>ducking<

Mega dittos, and I AIN'T ducking!

sigh...don't we all deserve a little break? I get my stuff done, but everyonce in a while there is a lag that's nice for a shout out. Well, no need to duck anyway, I can't do anything

 

[rh71]

We use Lotus Sametime. It's encouraged because the exchange of information for the business is quick and simple - and they trust us to use it as such. It's internal-only so that could quite well be the top reason.