Recently, I have reviewed several monitor logs for employee use of an employer's computer network, and it is amazing how much time during the workday people spend doing personal work over the Internet, searching dating sites, updating MySpace pages, streaming music, and more. Almost all firms allow employee use of the Internet during lunch and before and after work hours; however, as firms have less business during this economic downturn, they may be getting lax about employee Internet use. In a word--don't.
As employees have more time to spend surfing the Internet, they have more time to find trouble and bring that into your computer network. This is not just a productivity issue, but also one of information security.
Review your Internet usage policy and make any changes you deem appropriate. Then remind employees of the terms. Under no circumstances should you allow employees (or partners or anyone) to download new unauthorized software that could possibly cause harm to your network and the important data stored across it. If the software is needed, have a procedure to authorize it and catalog it.
Keep tabs on Internet usage and, if you believe employees are violating the policy by downloading or installing unauthorized software, then consider anti-executable software that prevents unauthorized software from running on any computer or across your network.
