Procrastination is a problem present in almost all offices and companies today.
Through the misuse of technology , many companies suffer from a drop in performance and little task completion by their employees. There are countless distractions: cell phones, social networks, WhatsApp, videos and other abstractions that end up draining employees' productivity .
But it's not just about distraction: improper access to malicious websites can lead to problems such as downloading malware onto the network and leaking confidential information. Therefore, the problem goes beyond procrastination, also affecting information security !
In this scenario, one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs is finding ways to increase the focus of their employees, while increasing internet security. It's a rare businessman who doesn't have this problem in mind, considering that the number of distractions and digital dangers increases with each new thing launched by the industry.
Even if the scenario seems unfavorable, the market already offers effective techniques to combat virtual procrastination! There are tools available on the market that allow you to control internet access .
Find out more about them below.
Web Filter
The web filter is a solution that restricts access to unwanted content on the internet. Through its implementation, it is possible to control the websites that the user accesses when using their computer or cell phone. If the employee tries to access a website that does not comply with company policy, the page will not load in the browser.
Some solutions also offer a layer of security for companies' networks and computers by blocking harmful websites. As will be seen later, the best way to implement a web filter solution in the company is to create access control policies for employee sectors, according to the functions they perform.
For example, the marketing department may need expanded access for content production and research, while finance employees need less variation in access and more restriction to prevent a potential data leak.
But how does web content filtering work?
DNS Filter
The web filter works by IP addresses that contain irrelevant, offensive, or potentially dangerous content on the internet. This form of access limiting is technically known as DNS filtering . This filter selects content that is released or not according to the access policy, implemented through an internet access control .
The DNS filter can be done by specific websites or also by website categories such as Social Networks, Entertainment, Pornography, Games and Betting and many others. At this point, using an appropriate solution is important to avoid wasted time and risks.
The manager who wants to control his employees' access to the internet has two options:
- Release of all sites, with the choice of some sites or categories to be blocked or
- General blocking, with the release of only useful sites that are within the company's scope of work.
Regardless of the choice, the ideal is to carry out a study of the websites accessed by the company's employees, in order to determine the best path to take.
This is because, through the Lumiun service , your company can:
- employee internet access
- Obtain and evaluate access reports for the websites and categories most accessed by equipment, employee and sector
- Based on the data and analysis, configure the ideal access policy for each group.
The access policy can be defined based on criteria that guarantee a certain flexibility for certain sectors and times of the day. This is because, as discussed, some sectors generally require expanded access, such as Marketing, Human Resources, Legal, among others.
The release of some content at certain times of the day can even serve as a relaxation tool for employees , as access to informational websites can be determined at lunchtime, for example.
In the end, everything will depend on communication and common sense : a good conversation between managers and employees can help to define restrictions without creating a climate of animosity in the office.
Restriction contents
Much has been said about restricting access to certain websites, but it is interesting to better understand which websites most affect productivity at work.
Currently, some topics should receive greater attention from managers when considering what can or cannot be accessed within the company. Below is a list of content that mainly serves to distract the team:
Social media
Facebook , Instagram and Twitter are the champions of audience on the internet and, although they are not the only social networks, they are the giants in the field. While the good use of some of these networks can be beneficial to the company , it is difficult to think that employees will use them solely for the benefit of the business.
In this case, it is worth remembering the previous tip: some sectors and employees may need access to networks, especially when it comes to the area of communication and press relations .
But, for those who do not need networks to carry out their activities, it is worth limiting access. Without this gigantic source of distraction, the tendency is for productivity to increase.
Online shopping
It's common to see employees checking out shopping websites during work hours. The proliferation of e-commerce platforms, such as Mercado Livre and OLX , leads people to waste hours “jumping” from one product to another. Often, the practice leads employees to become completely distracted from their role, as they access different products in an endless sequence.
In addition to the problem of procrastination, the practice of purchasing from obscure websites can lead to credit card cloning, leakage of financial information and other issues.
Streaming Sites
Youtube , Spotify , Netflix … The list is long. Video and music streaming sites have captured a large share of the digital entertainment market. Access is easy on both computers and cell phones, so extra care must be taken.
Again, it is important to highlight that some employees know how to make good use of music to increase productivity , as they stay focused on the task. In this case, it is up to the manager to decide whether or not it is worth allowing, in a controlled manner, the use of some of these tools.
Personal email
The use of personal e-mail is rarely welcomed in the work environment, and restricting access to personal e-mail may prevent employees from dedicating part of their time to resolving personal issues in the professional environment.
It is also important to encourage the mandatory use of corporate email in the workplace , keeping professional and private matters separate.
Instant communicators
Communication through communicators such as Skype and Whatsapp facilitates the day-to-day life of many offices around the world. However, it is possible to fall into procrastination with the improper use of such applications.
The interesting thing is to designate a standard company communication program, limiting the use of unauthorized communication applications.
The efficient use of communication tools is essential for the company's productivity , therefore, it must be part of a detailed plan, which must be shared with employees.
Information and entertainment websites
Who has never been bored or distracted and entered a portal to check out the latest news? There are several content and information portals that seem harmless to business, but that also encourage users to procrastinate.
Although, for some, it may seem trivial, access to content that is irrelevant to work takes away the focus of work, as distraction reduces employees' productivity .
Therefore, it is also essential to reduce or block access to news and entertainment websites.
Sites with malicious or inappropriate content
It is public knowledge, but it is worth highlighting: malicious websites, such as pornographic or gambling websites, should never be allowed access to employees. In addition to being absolutely inappropriate for the work environment and a factor in procrastination, they also pose serious risks to the entire network, due to the number of viruses found on these sites.
Protect your company
In addition to productivity, the company must focus on the information security of the content it handles: information leaks , malware contamination and other problems can arise from the unsuccessful implementation of restrictive software. Therefore, internet access control in general must be done through the use of an appropriate solution .
Lumiun is a service that manages and controls internet access in companies, increasing security and productivity. If you want to know more, take a demonstration with a consultant. It's fast and without commitment.
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