OK, I'm blocked from accessing any "entertainment" sites at my work computer

Danny Tse
Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
edited August 2009 in The Clubhouse
By "entertainment", the filtering system is excluding sites like stevehoffman.tv, head-fi.org, audioasylum.com, sa-cd.net, syereophile.com, audiokarma.org, etc. Yet I can still access some of my foreign audiophile websites. Odd that I am not blocked from accessing the Club Polk site....yet.

Ebay....yes....still available!
Post edited by Danny Tse on
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    Run a portable version of a browser app and just access pages/etc from there. Of course you need access to a USB port or something to store the application on. Same works for messenger services as well, I used to do it all the time at school or at a library when I had to look something up.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • xj4094dg
    xj4094dg Posts: 1,158
    edited July 2009
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    Run a portable version of a browser app and just access pages/etc from there. Of course you need access to a USB port or something to store the application on. Same works for messenger services as well, I used to do it all the time at school or at a library when I had to look something up.

    Good idea. How do you do this? Do you use a WD type external drive? Details please. My geek factor is low on this stuff...

    Thanks.
    "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    You can simply google portable version of said-browser. Install it on a thumb drive or some type of media card and run the application on the computer you wish to use. It can also be an external HDD, but thats not very discrete now lol.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited July 2009
    Don't want to sound rude here but should you be doing work while on your work computer and not surfing the net?
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  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited July 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    Don't want to sound rude here but should you be doing work while on your work computer and not surfing the net?

    I think it depends, lunch time or breaks, still personal time. If there's no fees involved to the business:confused:For example, before I worked out of my house, I would stay after hours, while waiting for the traffic to decline, visit many audio sites. Personal discipline is what is required here :) Just IMO
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited July 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    Don't want to sound rude here but should you be doing work while on your work computer and not surfing the net?

    I'm also allowed to access sites while I'm on break.

    For example, there're times where I need to access flickr.com because of the photos I've taken as part of my job (photos of work/construction sites --password protected and by invite only). And now flickr.com is blocked.

    Hmmm....I'm also blocked from changing my browser homepage (MSN.com). I can't even change it to my employer's website.
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited July 2009
    Danny Tse wrote: »
    I'm also allowed to access sites while I'm on break.

    For example, there're times where I need to access flickr.com because of the photos I've taken as part of my job (photos of work/construction sites --password protected and by invite only). And now flickr.com is blocked.

    Hmmm....I'm also blocked from changing my browser homepage (MSN.com). I can't even change it to my employer's website.
    Barracuda?



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited July 2009
    snow wrote: »
    Barracuda?

    Yes!
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited July 2009
    I would contact your network admin and have him/her change the permissions for you at least during break/lunch times. I hate that program btw:D



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2009
    I would just work at work. It's their resource that they pay for and can do with accordingly. My work has lots of stuff blocked... oh well that's why I pay for my own internet.
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  • xj4094dg
    xj4094dg Posts: 1,158
    edited July 2009
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    You can simply google portable version of said-browser. Install it on a thumb drive or some type of media card and run the application on the computer you wish to use. It can also be an external HDD, but thats not very discrete now lol.

    This is great. Thanks. I personally could never work for a company that doesn't trust me enough not to download or use offensive items in the workplace. One acceptable solution I found was to allow everyone 30 minutes a day of access for personal use (banking, email, etc.). This system works great and removes any (I think warranted) animosity towards management.

    My 2 cents.
    "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    Heh, it's mainly why I have my thumb drive attached to my car keys in case I ever need it for anything. There are ALOT of portable apps available nowadays for free, but I'd have to say a portable browser is the best thing you can carry with you on a drive.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2009
    My work likes to scan my drive so I prefer not to put it in unless I know it's "Clean".

    Camera phones, thumbdrives, personal storage...not allowed
    Main Surround -
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited July 2009
    xj4094dg wrote: »
    Good idea. How do you do this? Do you use a WD type external drive? Details please. My geek factor is low on this stuff...

    Thanks.
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    You can simply google portable version of said-browser. Install it on a thumb drive or some type of media card and run the application on the computer you wish to use. It can also be an external HDD, but thats not very discrete now lol.

    Thanks, I may have to try this.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    Unless you download said file from an anonymous site, you can get alot of these apps from the actual provider of the browser/program. I think Mozilla has their own version thats available for free directly from them to download and more.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited July 2009
    All of you must remember that even though your employer might look the other way when you are on your lunch, break or after your scheduled hours of work they still own the pc/laptop. The company I work for has all employees sign a peice of paper when they are hired to follow all the coporate policies and one of them is to only use pc's for work related items.

    I can't say that I am not guilty of the same things you do. I surf the net off and on all day between tasks. If they block a site I like to go to I don't have anything to say but not try to go there until I get home.
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited July 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    I can't say that I am not guilty of the same things you do. I surf the net off and on all day between tasks. If they block a site I like to go to I don't have anything to say but not try to go there until I get home.

    Agree. I heard from coworkers that certain Disney sites are blocked as well.

    Now I wonder why some of my coworkers bring in their own laptops....
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited July 2009
    I don't understand how using a "portable" browser would help anything; most smart IT guys would be blocking the traffic from your PC, regardless of how it's being accessed, not just blocking the browser itself.

    If using a "portable" browser actually works, your IT dept should be fired.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    Some companies don't block actual traffic to/fro the network and simply give temporary access to the computer itself. That's where portable versions work, as far as the company controlling the traffic coming in and out no this will not work for you.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • SivaNevets
    SivaNevets Posts: 303
    edited July 2009
    try proxy?
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,721
    edited July 2009
    My work has something called websense installed which blocks all kinds of random stuff.

    What it blocks seems to vary a lot. It used to block youtube, but now it doesn't. Same for Head-Fi.

    It is very strick on blocking any site that might be a software download site, or anything to do with MP3s. It blocks most social networking sites too, like facebook, myspace, etc. It also blocks fantasy sports sites, anything gambling related, anything gaming related, and of course, any thing **** related.

    It has never interfered with anything that I needed to do for work, and it pretty much lets me goof off during lunch or on breaks. The stuff it blocks is stuff I don't want/need to view at work. If anything it keeps me out of trouble. You never know when a google link might be a malicious site that tries to mis-direct you to something bad.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited July 2009
    xj4094dg wrote: »
    This is great. Thanks. I personally could never work for a company that doesn't trust me enough not to download or use offensive items in the workplace. One acceptable solution I found was to allow everyone 30 minutes a day of access for personal use (banking, email, etc.). This system works great and removes any (I think warranted) animosity towards management.

    My 2 cents.

    I agree. My feeling is since I work at home at night and on the weekends I should be able to spend a few minutes here and there throughout the day doing what I want to do at work. If they want to reduce my productivity then start banning web-sites I can access from work.
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    use WiFi from your data cell phone
    maybe a broadband wireless access using a personal netbook / laptop.

    That way you are not on the company's business network.
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  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited July 2009
    Try this site to see if it is a possibility for you.
    https://www.stupidcensorship.com/
    Be sure to type https at the beginning of the URL, not 'http'. Even though this site is known, many networks have their blocking software set up incorrectly so that sites beginning with https:// are not blocked. May work, then again, it may not.

    An MS-DOS prompt is another way to do it. Most admins don't think about this simple way of doing it.
    First, open a notepad file (if your work blocks notepad, open a webpage, right click and go to view source. MAGIC,you now have notepad). Now type-

    command.com (You must type this or it will not work)

    Now, save the file as batch.bat, or anything with the extension .bat . Open this file and it will give you a command prompt. REMEMBER TO DELETE THIS FILE WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED!!! If the admins see it, they will release the Kraken,lol.
    Well, now you've got a command prompt. Time for you to visit whatever site you want. There are plenty of ways to bypass crappy filtering, but I'm going to take it for granted that your admin is a smart cookie. Here is what you do now.

    in your command prompt, type

    ping sitenamehere.com (whatever site you want to visit, do not add www.)
    Now you should have a load of info, including delay times and, most importantly, an IP address for the website. Simply type this IP address into the address bar, preceded by [url]http://[/url] and you'll be able to access the page

    These do not always work but they are very simple to try. Good luck.
    DON'T CLICK THIS!!
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  • wz2p7j
    wz2p7j Posts: 840
    edited July 2009
    I've been on both sides of this issue as both an employer and employee. My conclusion is that it's ridiculous to ban (block) employees from these sites. The computer just makes us more efficient as people.

    For example, I'd much rather have an employee spend 15 minutes on the computer buying a Christmas present on-line than sneaking in a 2 hour lunch break to go shopping for same. JMHO :D:D Chris
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,238
    edited July 2009
    subscribed for future reference. :)

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,721
    edited July 2009
    I tried that stupidcensorship website just to see how it worked and I ended up with some bull$hit malware on my computer. It was one of those fake virus scanners that spits out fake virus warnings and also hijacks IE explorer to send you to **** sites. Great! Luckily it was easily removed with malwarebytes. Still a pain in the arse!
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • wz2p7j
    wz2p7j Posts: 840
    edited July 2009
    billbillw wrote: »
    And also hijacks IE explorer to send you to **** sites. Great!

    Sounds great - how do I catch this virus? :D:D:D
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited July 2009
    I am still surprised I am "allowed" to go to this site. Being in the Active Duty Air Force, we have Comm. guys whose job it is to "monitor" our profiles and block any website they deem "unsuitable" for work. Not to mention all the sites that are blocked already, it's pretty insane. Most times I can't even see pictures that are attached to posts here, but guess it's for our own good right? LOL

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  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited July 2009
    billbillw wrote: »
    I tried that stupidcensorship website just to see how it worked and I ended up with some bull$hit malware on my computer. It was one of those fake virus scanners that spits out fake virus warnings and also hijacks IE explorer to send you to **** sites. Great! Luckily it was easily removed with malwarebytes. Still a pain in the arse!


    Sorry to hear that billbillw. Before I post links to anywhere I always check them out to make sure there are no threats present. I tested this site two different ways for exploits and found none. If you would please, please send me the log file with the malwares name. I would like to see what it was that you got. The program that detected it will keep this log and you can just pm me the details. Thanks.
    DON'T CLICK THIS!!
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