Re: Blocking Instant Messaging Applications

[Neksus <neksus () gmail com>]

I agree with Simon.

It's not easy to block MSN or any other IM (Skype is even worse - no
centralized servers). There are many ways to use MSN "secretly". There
are tons of web based ways to use it (web messenger, meebo.com, etc.).

Plus someone could create a reserve tunnel and bypass any traffic restrictions.

I guess a proper usage policy might keep people from using it. But it
looks like IM is here to stay. Those businesses (Yahoo, AOL, MSN, ICQ)
do anything possible to grow their user base at the expense of our
security.

(N)

> Regarding your last paragraph, you may never block IM without additional
> appliances. Once you block MSN, they can use Web Messenger
> (webmessenger.msn.com I think).

> Maybe content filtering may be the route to take?? Perhaps embracing the
> technology could be an option, and add your own IM server??

> Simon