Internet access at work

Some days ago, I read an article showing how the employers crack the internet access restriction systems of their companies. There were many methods, one of them was an excel spreadsheet like system that allow an user to post twitter messages as if he were working on an spreadsheet. The article showed many arguments supporting internet access restriction at work. Reading the article reminds me a conversation between two supermarket stock replenishers while I was gathering some cookies. One guy was teaching the other how to use VNC to access his home computer and have unrestricted internet access. They were very far from being geeks, they were justing sharing one more way to cheat the supermarket internet control system. Deny the internet access is an invitation to cheat and this creates a cat and mouse game between the company and its employees.

In contrast, at my university, we don't have any internet access control system. Once we follow the rules (basically do not share copyrighted material), we can access any web site. Personally, I never saw a student at the lab where I work accessing porn sites for example, we can but we do not do. If we had any kind of access control system we might try to crack it, as the stock replenishers did. If we didn't do, the temptation would be very strong. For the university it is easier to present the rules and make students follow them, they do not need to deny access. Once we do not follow them, we will face disciplinary proceeding if we are caught. Criminal law works this way, we can do anything we want, but we must be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Some companies argue that allowing deliberated internet access decrease their employees productivity; however, they forget that we are experiencing the internet era and if an employee want to access the internet he will. He can buy a smartphone and pay for a 3g internet access and the problem will be solved, for example. The only solution will be keep the employee cellphone while he is at work. It is created a dictatorial company. The solution is not deny, it is more an education issue.

In conclusion, an educated and conscious employee will know when it is time to open a web browser to procrastinate and when it is time to work. They should be evaluated based on their productivity and not based on the time they spend "working". Restricting internet access will only encourage cheating and the cat and mouse game will never come up to an end.