How to Monitor Employee Email & Internet Policy

An off-task employee.

Monitoring employee Internet usage is an important task. The average worker spends at least an hour a day off-task. This reduces efficiency, and can even put the company at legal risk. Your Internet connection is linked with your organization's information, and if an employee does something improper on that connection, your company could be liable. In addition, exposure to untrustworthy websites could increase vulnerability to viruses and malware on corporate machinery.

Things You'll Need

• Activity-monitoring software
• Administrative access to Internet connections
• Administrative access to moderated computers

Instructions

1. Download activity-monitoring software. This software will allow you to block connections to distracting websites. In addition, it will record Web pages visited, and monitor time spent on those pages. These are just some of the features widely available on most Internet-moderation software.

2. Install the software on your network and/or computers. Depending on the software you choose, it may require administrative access to your modem or wireless router. In some cases, the software is installed only on the machines being moderated.

3. Change settings to fit your needs. This includes limiting the amount of time employees are allowed to use the Internet as well as logging Web history. You should also block questionable content from being viewed on your network. You can also choose to automatically create copies of emails being sent and received. Be careful not to block connections to websites that your employees need to use for work.

4. Notify your employees that they are being monitored. You are ethically and legally required to let your employees know what you are doing.

Tips & Warnings

• Being too stringent about Internet usage may anger employees. Be reasonable about your requirements.

References

• How Employers Monitor Internet Usage