Management and Productivity

How to block websites: discover the benefits of managing internet access

December 22, 2021

8 minutes of reading

Managing and controlling internet access in companies is a demand that has been amplified by the pandemic context. Regardless of size, it is undoubtedly essential to know how to block websites in companies .

More than just a necessity, discovering how to block websites in the best and most efficient ways is a requirement for any company . After all, it directly impacts productivity.

It should almost go without saying, but it's important to emphasize that better productivity rates mean higher profitability .

Indeed, these two indicators are strategic for business growth and job retention. Undoubtedly, this is a benefit shared by both employers and employees .

That's why it's so important for business owners, IT professionals, and employees to understand how blocking websites can be advantageous and beneficial for everyone .

In this sense, they must be able to conduct themselves and behave appropriately and professionally during the processes of managing and controlling internet access , such as blocking websites.

Learning how to block websites is a management process.

Learning how to block websites and understanding why this measure is necessary is an important management process that cannot be relegated to the background or disregarded.

Ultimately, there are many factors and aspects involved when it comes to how to block websites . And, certainly, paying attention to this diversity and variety of motivations is important.

Especially when developing and implementing policies for managing and controlling internet and data access by employees and collaborators .

Although all issues should be considered, companies and good management practices should be pragmatic.

That is, when learning how to block websites , the focus of business owners and IT managers should be on the two main advantages of this process :

to avoid wasting time and employee and company productivity
to preserve the integrity and security of sensitive data and information.

Without a doubt, better results are obtained when good and effective internet access management and control are developed and implemented , such as blocking websites within the company.

Also, because negligence in data protection and security within companies can cause harm , especially due to the LGPD (General Law for the Protection of Personal Data) .

Undoubtedly, controls and technologies that provide a framework for blocking websites are important management tools , as they have the potential to protect against losses and positively impact results and the business .

Take a free security test and find out how to block websites at your company.

Why is it important to know how to block websites?

Firstly, because it acts as a shield against cyber threats .

Furthermore, depending on the focus and commitment of employees, an internet access management policy triggers processes that have been proven to increase work results and company .

Learn how to block websites and avoid digital threats.

Undeniably, digital threats are evolving. Therefore, it's important for companies to understand the value and relevance of strategies such as blocking websites to avoid digital threats and losses.

To illustrate, let's take the example of the famous phishing scam emails are sent that, when opened and viewed, ask for passwords and confidential data.

Specifically, a form of deception that attempts to pass itself off as something commonplace or unimportant, in order to compromise devices, networks, and systems .

Therefore, control processes and monitoring technologies are necessary, because information and awareness , while necessary, are not sufficient.

Another cybercrime is sending SMS messages for phishing scams, known as smishing (a combination of "SMS" and "phishing"). If criminals realize they will get better results via SMS, that's how they attack.

After all, most people have never heard of SMS fraud. Furthermore, employees are less careful with company mobile devices.

Similarly, another digital threat that has evolved and for which it makes perfect sense to know how to block websites is the ransomware attack .

Once the criminal gains access to the company's network, they encrypt the files and demand a ransom payment for the data .

More recently, this type of attack has become routine, in addition to holding data and systems hostage, copying confidential data and threatening to publish it on the internet if the ransom is not paid .

Therefore, a tool focused on DNS filtering is a great solution in combating digital threats . Similarly, blocking websites considered malicious eliminates a large part of the security problems in companies.

How to block websites when working from home?

The world, after all, didn't stop. However, it had to adapt very quickly due to the pandemic, which accelerated the digital transformation processes of businesses and companies .

One of the behavioral changes in the world of work in 2020 and 2021 was the exponential growth of remote work, or working from home .

On the one hand, the need to make the company function remotely (devices, networks and systems) was a demand that took IT managers out of their comfort zone.

On the other hand, maintaining and increasing productivity and profitability levels while working from home has been a source of great anxiety for many business owners.

Ultimately, for both (business owners and IT managers), generating better results from their teams online has become a priority .

Regardless, before the pandemic, studies indicated that employees spent, on average, only 43% of their time performing the activities for which they were hired .

Similarly, due to free access to the internet, social media, and WhatsApp, employees interrupted (or were interrupted by) their work routine an average of 14 times a day!

Ultimately, it is data and information like this that prove the negative impact of mismanagement and lack of control and monitoring of internet access .

Therefore, it's no coincidence that learning how to block websites, both in a company environment and when working from home, is extremely important and makes all the difference in productivity, profitability, and security .

How to block websites by category

Simply knowing how to block websites isn't enough. Method, tools, and best practices are essential. Regarding the method, a good tip is to categorize the types of harmful or undesirable websites.

Specifically, because there are websites that are simultaneously useful channels for each company's business model and serve as personal entertainment. Social networks are the classic example of this category.

Each economic sector and industry has its own peculiarities. Therefore, each company must know which websites negatively impact its business and how to block them.

The important thing is always to seek employee productivity company profitability as well as improve data security levels and internet access.

See which categories and types of websites are most frequently blocked.

Social media

They cause distraction and dispersion. Furthermore, they are highly susceptible to the spread of cyberattacks.

Gaming and betting sites

They are easily accessible, many of them free, and attractive: they offer digital rewards to keep players online all the time. They consume a lot of attention during working hours.

Pornography

Beyond the obvious, this type of website is loaded with malware, pop-ups with harmful content, and malicious links. In this case, knowing how to block websites is fundamental to protecting confidential and sensitive company data.

Video and music streaming sites

Movies, series, videos, and music are not for work hours. After all, they are leisure and personal entertainment. Again, obviously, this is not the case during business hours. Learning how to block websites of this category is standard practice.

Specific sites

Among the most common are news websites (local or regional). Discovering how to block these types of sites helps increase productivity and focus at work.

How to block websites easily, effectively and safely?

In principle, configuring browsers, editing hosts, and using extensions are useful , but basic, impractical, and easy-to-bypass when it comes to blocking websites in a company.

However, when the demand is professional and the requirement for effectiveness and security is essential, the answer is: through a tool with technology capable of offering adequate levels of data protection and security , as well as total control and complete management of internet access.

Simple as that!

Without a doubt, Lumiun Box is a good example of how to block harmful or unwanted websites very effectively.

Although there are more alternatives available on the market, the set of advantages and benefits Lumiun Box solution delivers is surprising .

Among the most common on the market are Cisco Umbrella , DNS Filter , Fortinet FortiGate , and pfSense .

However, despite differing significantly from each other, they do not always adapt to or meet the diverse demands of companies, such as blocking websites or protecting and securing data.

So, I'm making a request to you, business owner or IT manager: please compare! Because, ultimately, you are the ones responsible for choosing technologies and tools.

Finally, I'm sure you'll realize the advantages Lumiun Box to companies of all sizes.

Comparison of solutions

Undeniably, Lumiun Box sought-after solution among tools for blocking websites and controlling internet access .

Firstly, because Lumiun Box It's super affordable and you can pay in Brazilian Real (R$).

Furthermore, it has two major distinguishing features:

It is very easy and simple to install and manage (no specialized professionals are needed for system maintenance and operation);

The entire solution is in Portuguese (control panel, system, and support).

Don't forget to compare!

Analyze the comparison table , which highlights the main features and differences between the most common solutions on the market and Lumiun Box .

Lumiun Box It is more complete and effective when it comes to blocking websites and controlling internet access .

How to block websites in a differentiated and strategic way?

First and foremost, with a good and structured company internet usage policy combined with technology and innovation. After all, Lumiun Box applies the rules for browsing that have been previously defined.

Watch this short video (less than a minute) and learn more about the internet security and usage management solution focused on small and medium-sized businesses .

Enhance security , improve employee focus and productivity, reduce costs, and consequently increase profitability with Lumiun Box : a complete and efficient system that provides control over internet access , including blocking websites within the company.

Plus, it offers all these features on a single cloud platform :

Want to learn more about how to block websites in your company and control internet access? Then check out these articles available on the Lumiun blog: