MSN AOL YYAHOO ICQ ETC Blocker Software ?

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:10

Hi can anyone recommend a software that I can put on a PC to block the chat software listed in title as there seems to be more people chatting than working these days.

Its for a small office network. We have a file server, but a PC that acts as a gateway to the Internet. It is this we ideally want to try it on ideally freeware / shareware where we can make a donation etc.

Many thanks.

Memphis · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:24

Why not just block all un-necessary ports on the gateway?

J.B · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:49

As said above, a quick google search for each will reveal the ports they use.
Thats the easiest way of doing it.

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:12

J.B said:
As said above, a quick google search for each will reveal the ports they use.
Thats the easiest way of doing it.

OK cool, will try that.

Clarkey · 11 Jul 2007 at 23:45

that will not work, MSN will fall back to HTTP.

meghatronic · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:46

Remove the IM software, block the online sites.

Inform anyone that goes on chats they are in breach of company IT policy and face immediate sacking.

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 24 Jul 2007 at 16:27

jdickerson said:
Remove the IM software, block the online sites.

Inform anyone that goes on chats they are in breach of company IT policy and face immediate sacking.

OK Tried some software on the PC that links to the internet and managed to block it on that pc only.

Cant really threaten to sack one of the persons as it needs to be done on the quiet (long storey really)

The PC thats connected to the net is via a BT USB modem. I put a decent firewall on it once and the user (boss) didnt like it so had to remove it and rely on the good old windows one (dodgy I know)

Just need a little program that we can click on and off to block it really. Might have to try the firewall route again and block ports.

MarcLister · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:09

I found this on a site recently.

Messenger server: port 1493, 1542, 1863, 1963, 80 TCP and 443 TCP
File Transfer/Sharing Folders: local: 1544 and 6891 - in fact 6720-65535 TCP from one source
Messenger Update: remote: 80 local: 1457
Remote Assistance If available): 3389 TCP
Audio: local: , 1556, 11771, 13803 and generally 5004-65535 UDP
Remote Desktop and whiteboard: local/remote: 389, 522, 1503, 1720, and 1731
Launching Games: 80
Video Conference: TCP 9000-9999, 5004-65535 UDP + 80
Sign-In: remote: 443 local: 1484, 2400

So would blocking the sign in ports not work? Would MSN revert to using port 80 if these weren't available?