server on the way

[rolo514]

Hi All.
Need some advice from the more computer/networking inclined terbites out there.
I own my own small/medium business, our computer needs have grown to a network of about 8 computers. We are finally adding a Server in the near future, and need some advice on how that will effect my "surfing"practices ie: Terb.
As it is now I have taken steps to clean my tacks on my own computer(Thanks Katso) but how will that change when a server is involved..I am under the impression that everything that goes through any of our terminal will be registered on the server, regardless if you "clean" your own terminal...Yes, No, Paranoid?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rolo

 

[drlove]

Ask Fred... he may be able to help.

 

[pblues]

Hi All.
Need some advice from the more computer/networking inclined terbites out there.
I own my own small/medium business, our computer needs have grown to a network of about 8 computers. We are finally adding a Server in the near future, and need some advice on how that will effect my "surfing"practices ie: Terb.
As it is now I have taken steps to clean my tacks on my own computer(Thanks Katso) but how will that change when a server is involved..I am under the impression that everything that goes through any of our terminal will be registered on the server, regardless if you "clean" your own terminal...Yes, No, Paranoid?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Rolo

Is this a proxy server that will be installed? If it is, don't log in from work.

 

[Fred Zed]

I am sure that even under your current arrangements Network admin could monitor your activities if they wanted to. See this report for instance, it describes some of methods used:

Workplace Surveillance Project:

http://www.privacyfoundation.org/workplace/technology/extent.asp

 

[rolo514]

im ok in that sense

Fred,
Thanks but as I mentioned we are a small office, so we dont have a network admin-unless you count me..I was just curious about what additional precautions should be taken with the server..
Thanks
Rolo

 

[zoickss]

Rolo you might want to PM Cybergoth - he has his own business in that area and should be able to answer your questions.

 

[Paul Waters]

When you say "Adding a server" you are not telling us much. If it is for printing and storage it is irrelevant.

But an office connected to the internet needs a firewall to protect their private network from hackers. The firewall should be on it`s own dedicated computer, so calling it a "server" is understandable.

But for an 8 computer business, you may just be getting a router that has built in firewall capabilities, plus other functions like ip maskerading.

In either case, you configure what logs are being kept. It is common to log all sites that anyone connects to by listing the url.

Your concern is who is going to enable the log keeping, and who is going to examine the logs. If it is you, obviously you have nothing to worry about.

Also, note that https://terb.cc is a harmless looking url. www.playboy.com sticks out like a sore thumb. Make a risk assessment. A big factor is whether your company has a formal internet use policy. If not, it is pretty hard to make any discipline stick, unless it is the amount of surfing time you do.

But in this day and age, if a company wants to fire someone, it is pretty standard practice to look at how they use the internet and look for dirt to use against them.

 

[rolo514]

Paul,
thanks for the tips..
The Server will be used to store data, large programs, etc and of course will have a firewall and virus protection, more specific than that is out of my league and is why I have hired someone to set it up-the logs you refer to are pretty much what I was concerned with and I probably will be the only one to monitor, other than my techie..who does not work on staff here but is part of our Accounting firms IT department and will be doing the set up etc...I would be concerned about him getting any info ..
Zoicks-thanks for the tip
Thanks again all.
Rolo