Filtering Web Use at Work

With personal use of the Internet at work a brewing issue, software providers are bulking up offerings that allow network administrators to see what employees are up to on the web. The latest entry in that category is today's launch of Premium Group I, a software product from San Diego, Calif.-based Websense Inc., that lets IT administrators manage workers' access to banner ads and bandwidth-consuming Web sites. Installing the product into existing Websense Enterprise software allows organizations to conserve up to 10% more bandwidth while improving employee productivity, the company claims. The product also manages worker's access to online brokerage services, free software downloads and pay-to-surf sites. Earlier offerings from the company allow network administrators similar control of worker access to shopping sites.