Companies blocking Facebook access

by Chris Gilmer Aug 23rd 2007

Like any other good social site out there, Facebook is on the IT's list of websites to block.

The popular social network is getting a lashing at workplaces worldwide as employers recognize how much time employees are spending on it, and the possible phishing attacks that could occur. Like YouTube, IM's and various other time wasting websites, companies are starting to get the fall out from lost productivity and are forced to shut access off to yet another valuable tool. Ok, valuable to the user, but not for most businesses. If Facebook access is not turned off entirely, there are certain restrictions being set by network admins.

A recent study shows that 43% of people were not able to access Facebook, with another 7% only able to access the site with certain restrictions.

DLS asks, if you work in a corporate setting, do you still have access to Facebook?

Tags: facebook, IT, social network, SocialNetwork, website

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Obvious said 7:09PM on 8-23-2007

As a software developer, especially one who is looking into social networking and viral widgets, my visits to facebook mean I'm working. (Suppose it helps that I'm not into the whole social-networking thing)

Now, for the fact that I'm writing this comment at my desk, perhaps weblogs network should be blocked (heh, just kidding)

Jez said 4:54AM on 8-24-2007

A new study (by a company that sells site blocking technology) shows that 50% of companys block Facebook.

Oh yeah?? everyone I know can get on to FB at work.

Thats 100% of friends and companys not being blocked.

Study flawed?? I think so...

Matt Petty said 7:01AM on 8-24-2007

London, UK.
I was blocked 2 weeks ago. All my friends in other firms are still on it all day, so I set up Twitter to feed to my Facebook profile, so I can still send people updates. All the poking has to wait until the evening.
My company (major London transport provider, ahem) blocks all sorts of stuff - YouTube, most flash stuff (although that's because the network build hasn't got Flash 8), Photobucket. Strangely, Flickr was blocked, but now it's accessible again.

Donald said 8:26AM on 8-24-2007

Large tech firm that shall remain nameless, my cow-orkers can still moo the day away on Facebook.

I abstain due to a strict "Social networking FTL" policy.

Geoff said 11:01AM on 8-24-2007

It's not blocked, but one college's pages were blocked. Meaning, anyone's profile that was on that particular subdomain was blocked. I figured out why -- one of the IT guys went to that college and is on Facebook.

Angry said 1:58PM on 8-24-2007

It's blocked as a "Dating and Personals Site"

Bah

iamhoff said 4:29PM on 8-24-2007

The only sites that I know my non-web (environmental) consulting firm blocks are MySpace and YouTube. Facebook, Mashable, and others are still accessible. Although the way things are going, I fully expect Facebook to be blocked soon enough. Just so long as they don't block the Weblogs sites!

bryan said 6:25PM on 8-24-2007

Nope. I can't get to any social networking sites OR even any webmail apps like gmail or yahoo mail. Thanks corporate America!

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