PAN Makes Facebook ''Read-Only'' With New Tool
Other than obliterating productivity, Facebook represents a substantial security risk in the corporate world. However, it's also becoming a powerful marketing tool. So, how do you leverage Facebook without opening the company up to all kinds of malware?
Chances are if you're at work, you probably don't have access to Facebook. A major productivity killer, the social networking site is pretty much guaranteed to be blocked in most offices. However, as the website grows and the use of apps like Farmville and Mafia Wars (not to mention all those silly quizzes) continues to skyrocket, IT departments are finding another reason to be grateful the rest of the company can't access Facebook: malware.
Unfortunately, though Facebook is presenting more of a risk for malware, it's also becoming more beneficial for many marketing departments. 'Can you trust the marketing department with access to Facebook?' is the question a lot of IT people are asking. This leaves them with the age old problem of assesing the monetary value of X and comparing that number with the risks it could present.
Palo Alto Networks is hoping to make that decision a little easier with the release of a tool that can turn Facebook into a read-only site. Recognising the growing value of Facebook for enterprises, PAN has developed an application that allows IT to give different departments different levels of access to Facebook. This means marketing can have full access to Facebook (messaging, posting, mail, photos, applications, etc), while sales, for example, would have a read-only version or access to just posting and mail.
However, security isn't the only reason companies are banning Facebook and other social networks; these types of sites are known productivity killers. Before the company had clocked up nearly half a billion users and become an attractive way to spread worms and other malware, people were just wasting vast amounts of time on the site. Many companies blocked it because it was murdering productivity. PAN's tool doesn't ignore this factor, allowing companies to ban access for certain departments all together barring a specific time of the day, like lunch times.
PAN's director of marketing, Chris King, says they've seen a huge demand for a tool like this from customers. Is this something your company would consider using? Let us know in the comments below!
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Facebook? nah.
Myspace? nah.
Here the only social "network" I have is my email and msn. And that's @ my house. I don't care for those "social" things basically because they ask too much personal info so you can always get "cloned"..
it would be best if facebook just dissapeared.
I am a user myself, and I absolutely hate it lately. it is so horrible, I just stay on it so that I can quickly contact anyone I need... aside from that, facebook used to be nice, but now it is absolutely pathetic.
It must DIE!!!
From Troy the movie, Hector says, somewhat:
"All my life I've lived by a code and the code is simple: Say no to drugs and extramarital sex, Say no to DRM, Facebook, MySpace and Norton and Say no to Apple and its Apple Tax."
it would be best if facebook just dissapeared. I am a user myself, and I absolutely hate it lately. it is so horrible, I just stay on it so that I can quickly contact anyone I need... aside from that, facebook used to be nice, but now it is absolutely pathetic. It must DIE!!!
Apart from the whole security topic, it does seem like FB is getting worse and worse with every update. I too find it so annoying to use now that I only pull it up when I get a notification of a message or a physical event invite.
I wonder if a "Facebook Killer" will arive soon. One that will easily import your FB account and get you going quickly. One that will have improved security. Oh, and one that comes with free proxy access for @ work, lol.
I wonder if a "Facebook Killer" will arive soon.
It's already here. It's called "real-life".
Turn off the computer, go outside and talk with the people you find out there. It's amazing how pleasurable...and civil...face-to-face conversation can be...
Ya lo, because it's so easy for me to go outside hope on a plane from Afghan to the States, and visit my family and friends. I mean really it only takes a few minutes, what have I been doing all this time. Thanks for the wake up call..
Ya lo, because it's so easy for me to go outside hope on a plane from Afghan to the States, and visit my family and friends. I mean really it only takes a few minutes, what have I been doing all this time. Thanks for the wake up call..
Sounds like you signed up for the military. From one military service member to another, stop complaining. His point is valid. You can always get to know someone where you are a little better. We also have these amazing things people still like to get called letters. Try your hand at caligraphy.
From Troy the movie, Hector says, somewhat:"All my life I've lived by a code and the code is simple: Say no to drugs and extramarital sex, Say no to DRM, Facebook, MySpace and Norton and Say no to Apple and its Apple Tax."
Well played sir. Post of the Day.
Not complaing stating the simple facts. I know damn near everybody I work with. As far as letters ya that's genious cause you know it's same day mail LMAO! Don't get me wrong there would be times were letters would be just fine. But why? Seriously.. Email/facebook really is the same crap. Only difference is the time it takes for them to get it, and instead of being on paper it's on the computer. Unless you're one of those sentimental fools who thinks writing is just so much more personal then typing.
Not to mention facebook is free! You see I'm not the one complaining these idiots are. Bitching about something that's free ya.. That's full of win.
Seriously if you don't like something that's free.. Hey cool.. But seriously no need to whine and cry about it either. It's as stupid as people bitching about "can it play crysis". Is it's seriously that hard to ignore things for you kids.
Except, OOPS! Everyone has facebook and farmville and what not on their iPhones!
My work doesn't block facebook. At least I don't think they do, I've seen other people using it. Don't have an account myself though.
No, I don't use Facebook at all.
Sort of sounds like a useful tool, but like almost all other companies, we've simply blocked it instead. There's just not enough reason to take the risks.
I dont waste my work day on facebook, I do it on Toms...
'Can you trust the marketing department with access to Facebook?'
HELL NO!!!
-network admin