Technology has become so deeply woven into the fabric of our daily lives that many of us only vaguely remember what it was like before computers, mobile phones, and PDAs. Now many of us check e-mail and log in to our social networks as a daily habit. We also rely heavily on technology for work. Whether the job is research-based, technical, or creative, almost all professionals need to have a computer with a working Internet connection in order to work properly and efficiently.

Many offices tend to be very lenient when it comes to Internet usage at work. After all, even if most companies give out special work e-mail accounts as standard protocol, not all work-related messages are sent exclusively to that account. If we are able to check our personal e-mails at work, we can be sure that we are up to date in whatever is going on in the business. Enabling instant messaging software and widgets and visiting social networks such as Facebook and Twitter from time to time also helps take away the blandness of an office routine, making work more bearable. Sometimes, though, it provides more than a distraction.

Companies allowing access to personal pages during office hours faces a double-edged sword, not only in terms of productivity but also in ensuring the security of your company's local network. Your company depends on a complex, perpetually running and continuously changing network. Despite its large capacity and standard network security functions, office connections are still extremely delicate. One glitch has the potential to upset the entire operation. For small businesses that give their workforce unlimited permission to visit personal sites using office network resources, their lenient attitude could open their network up to certain operational and security risks.

The Speed Turns Slow

Streaming video through the Internet uses a large amount of bandwidth. Frequently watching videos on YouTube, playing Imeem or downloading and playing online games during office hours can cause a lag in Internet speed and make the local area network act up.

The Guard Goes Down

Every time you visit a website on your office computer, you are giving viruses and other digital threats an opening to infect your network. You also become susceptible to being baited by phishers and online scammers. These risks exist whenever you log on to the Internet, whether at home or from your office desktop. However, offices usually run on a shared network server; meaning if you have unknowingly downloaded a virus from an e-mail, that virus can easily spread and infect the other office computers.

Everyone should be cautious about what they surf on the Internet while at the office. None of us want to be the cause of a crashed company server. The best way to keep IT security high is to ensure that all network security measures are updated and enabled. Having a third party server and desktop management specialist on board can help a business maintain its internal IT's health.

Take everything in moderation; The rule holds true even in using your office computer for personal use. The reason why we go to the office five days a week is to work, not to surf the Internet at leisure. By taking care as we browse through our personal pages during office hours, and by observing proper work conduct, we can consistently release productive output and maintain efficient IT security.

To learn more about securing your IT systems call Drake Hardware & Software at 319.752.1155.