As extreme or unfriendly as it may seem, blocking websites at the company and in the home office is, indeed, an important management process .
In fact, in the previous article, we reinforced and explained the advantages and benefits of this process: blocking employee websites: synonymous with security and productivity .
Of course, the focus was on managing employees' internet access .
However, this, which is considered one of the best practices in corporate internet security , cannot be disregarded or relegated to the background.
That is why it must go beyond the company's environment to the homes of employees , who are working from home .
Reasons to block websites when working from home
Certainly, almost all companies in the world have the internet as an essential tool and even differentiating strategies based on access to the Web and the management of data and digital information.
The pandemic, which will be 2 years old, has, in fact, accelerated the digital transformation of economic and social sectors around the world. An indisputable legacy of covid-19.
So, with part or all employees working from home, blocking websites at the company and in the home office remains necessary and urgent .
You, businessman or IT manager , can access the complete content about why blocking websites is important and the benefits of internet access control , on the lumiun blog .
But now, what interests us are the reasons why blocking websites at the company and in the home office are so important .
#1 Improve productivity and quality of tasks
Without a doubt, controlling internet access, especially when working from home, reduces wasted time during working hours .
#2 Reduce costs and increase profitability
In fact, controls and technologies to block websites in home offices have a positive impact on companies . Therefore, increasing productivity generates cost reduction and, consequently, increases profitability.
#3 Reduce wasted time and stay focused on work
Distraction during work hours is the biggest villain. However, the solution is simple and easy to implement: restrict and control internet access, as well as block websites in the home office .
#4 Increase data and information security
Internet security is fundamental. Not only in the company, but also in the home office. After all, security threats and failures can cause significant losses, such as loss of data or the need for maintenance and repairs on equipment and systems.
#5 Protect networks, devices and systems against internet threats, with fewer problems with viruses and malware
It is possible to avoid accessing low-reputation and harmful websites. This way, it is possible to control internet access, increase the network's layer of protection, block websites in home offices and reduce problems with viruses and malware.
#6 Optimize shared broadband speed: faster internet
Blocking websites in your home office prevents undue access to videos, social networks and others that consume a lot of bandwidth. This way, every internet connection is available for the company's activities.
#7 Effectively monitor and control internet usage
With a complete access management service, it is possible to generate detailed reports on the websites accessed, by time, by users or by equipment . Important information to verify the commitment and responsibility of employees.
#8 Improve the performance of systems and computers
Without running programs to access videos and social networks, for example, systems and computers perform better . In other words, blocking websites when working from home makes work more stable and productive.
#9 Reduce equipment maintenance costs
With the network and internet access protected from threats, problems with slowness and computer failures are avoided. This also reduces equipment maintenance expenses, which also prevents forced downtime.
Blocking websites in the company generates shared benefits and a win-win scenario
Without a doubt, inertia is not an option when the lack of control over internet access causes the majority of data security incidents and failures.
Especially in small and medium-sized companies, users are the biggest gateway to malicious attacks and the infection of devices, networks and systems by viruses.
Furthermore, the vast majority of employees are unable to identify risks and end up accessing malicious links and false messages .
That's why DNS filtering tools are great solutions .
They combat digital threats and eliminate most internet security problems by blocking websites at the company and in the home office.
Business owners, IT professionals and employees need to understand that, more than recommended , blocking websites at the company and in the home office is advantageous and beneficial .
For the company, because it optimizes team productivity and reduces costs .
Likewise, for employees, who perform their work without distractions and generate better results.
“win-win” scenario .
In other words, when a good policy is adopted to block websites at the company and in the home office, there are benefits for all parties involved .
That's why creating and implementing rules for browsing and blocking websites in the company and in the home office should be a process shared by everyone, from the beginning.
Ways to block websites when working from home
In the company environment or in employees' homes, the need is the same: block websites to increase productivity and reduce costs .
What changed during the pandemic is that small and medium-sized companies had to adopt remote working .
Certainly, a headache for businesspeople and, especially, IT professionals, who are responsible for blocking websites at the company and in the home office .
So, as I did with the “reasons to block websites at home office”, in this article, I will only mention four of the main ways to block websites from employees at home office .
To access the full content, click here .
Here are some ways to manage professionals' internet and block websites from home:
#1 Browser configuration
It doesn't matter which operating system you use. Above all, the important thing is to configure it to block home office websites considered harmful or unwanted.
#2 Hosts
If the operating system is Windows, as is the case in the vast majority of companies, simply configure some changes in the Hosts file . This way, it is possible to block inappropriate or harmful websites, including in a home office.
#3 Browser extensions
Furthermore, blocking websites in a home office is made easier by installing browser extensions to filter search results.
#4 DNS Filter
DNS blocking restricts access to websites. DNS filter tools have complete features and solutions for data security. also facilitate the implementation of internet access policies defined by companies when blocking websites in home offices.
Finally, the various tools and ways to block websites when working from home bring benefits to companies and their managers .
After all, they not only restrict the use of the internet and remote access to data on the company's internal network , but they also help with the fluidity of systems and keep the data used more secure .
Evaluate solutions for blocking websites at the company and in the home office
When choosing the tool to manage internet access and block websites in the company and in the home office, the decisive characteristics are certainly: interface, technical support, reports and functionalities .
Therefore, the more professional the requirement for data security when accessing the internet , the fewer options IT managers and business owners will have.
That is, there will be fewer tools left capable of offering total control and complete management of internet access with adequate levels of protection and security .
Thus, among the alternatives available on the market, we have solutions such as Cisco Umbrella , DNS Filter , Fortinet FortiGate , Lumiun Box , Lumiun DNS and pfSense .
Although they differ greatly from each other, not all of them adapt or cope with demands such as blocking websites at the company and in the home office or protecting data security.
Don't forget to compare!
See the comparative table with the main characteristics and differences between the most common solutions on the market.
Probably, analyzing the table above, Lumiun Box It must be the most sought after to control internet access .
Certainly, among the main reasons, three are most relevant for business owners, managers and IT professionals to decide on a solution to block websites in home offices and companies available on the market:
#1 offer economic viability and payment in Real (R$).
#2 ease and simplicity of installation and management. Certainly, the solution that does not require specialized professionals to maintain and operate the system will have an advantage .
#3 be available in Portuguese (control panel, system and support).
Although there are some alternatives, the set of advantages and benefits that some of the solutions mentioned deliver is surprising .
Without a doubt, the differences and facilities offered are what make internet access management solutions more effective when it comes to blocking websites in home offices or companies, by controlling internet access .
See the advantages of blocking websites at your company and home office using DNS filtering
#1 Increased employee productivity.
#2 Protection against internet threats.
#3 Control of team access in the home office.
#4 In compliance with two LGPD principles.
#5 Speed control and faster internet.
#6 Real-time monitoring and reporting.
See also the Complete Guide: How to Block Websites at the Company , available for free download.
