I am curious about Social Security's policies on social networking sites. Are agency employees blocked from accessing sites such as Facebook and Twitter through agency computers? What websites, if any, are blocked on Social Security's network?
I realize that severe workload pressures at Social Security have to hold down the usage of these sites anyway, but there is still lunchtime and breaktime.
I realize that severe workload pressures at Social Security have to hold down the usage of these sites anyway, but there is still lunchtime and breaktime.
Many sites are blocked, including youtube, twitter, facebook and even the lottery web page.
ReplyDeleteStaggered shifts and flextime mean one person's lunch is another person's work hour (1/2 hour!).
In PC7 they are all blocked including YouTube.
ReplyDeleteThis is what you get when you try to access one of those sites.
SSA Access Restricted
Due to SSA policy limiting personal use of government office equipment including information technology, access to the web site you requested is restricted.
Examples of sites considered inappropriate are:
-- Hate sites which contain material that ridicule on basis of race, color, sex, national orientation, or sexual orientation.
-- Sex sites of an adult oriented or pornographic nature
-- Nudity
-- Criminal behavior
-- Gambling
In addition to these categories, SSA also restricts access to sites that have been reliably identified as hosting or distributing malicious software (virus, Trojans, Worms, etc), and sites that otherwise pose a risk to the integrity of SSA?s security or network performance.
For more information, please review the Personal Use policy which is detailed in Appendix G of the Information Systems Security handbook. If you have questions concerning this issue or believe the site you are attempting to access has not been categorized properly or you need access to conduct SSA business please request that this site be reevaluated by click this link Access Request. An acknowledgement of your request and a brief update will be sent in approximately two business days.
To submit questions or additional information regarding access to this site, please use the link and request form mentioned above.
Blocked recently because of fear of viruses
ReplyDeleteCan still check email. Most livestream stuff is blocked, but you can still watch MSNBC for some reason. Keith Olbermann at lunchtime ftw.
ReplyDeleteBlocking of certain sites makes sense; for example sex, violence, hate sites, etc. Also those that are security risks and known to transmit viruses. But some, like the lottery, don't make sense. Access to some like the social media sites may need a review and hopefully a change of heart. Many of us at SSA are involved with various communities in our work, conduct outreach and have other reasons to communicate with the public. These social media sites are the vehicles people use today to communicate. Employees are being limited in how they do their jobs if they cannot communicate using the current technologies. Twitter, for example, is a relatively innocent and, I believe, safe way to publicize things that we want the public to know about what SSA is doing. Most other Federal agencies are already using social media and I hope SSA will take another look and at least consider piloting its usage to determine if the outcomes are positive and if their really are any negative outcomes.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, how did we ever communicate without twitter?!? There is no need to be in constant communication with everybody during work hours.
ReplyDeleteIf it's work related, you have email, phone, in-person, mail, fax, and, for some, cell phones and blackberries. Take a walk around the floor and peek in the cubes and look at what's on the computer screen. Or listen to the people making personal calls all day. There has to be a limit.
Why does there have to be a limit for something like Twitter? We can publish any new information for the public the way the White House does, for example. Reminders such as a reminder about the general enrollment period for Part B, etc. Probably should. Access can be customized so it really wouldn't be a big deal to do it if we wanted to.
ReplyDeleteHow about because it is primarily used for personal reasons, not work-related reasons. You can get tweets sent to your _personal_ phone, you know.
ReplyDeleteI bet if mgmnt stopped being such control freaks great things could be accomplished.
ReplyDeleteHello Everybody,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.
BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS
1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
2. Telephone Numbers:……….
3. Address and Location:…….
4. Amount in request………..
5. Repayment Period:………..
6. Purpose Of Loan………….
7. country…………………
8. phone…………………..
9. occupation………………
10.age/sex…………………
11.Monthly Income…………..
12.Email……………..
Regards.
Managements
Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com