How do I block meebo usage on my corporate network?

Question

Meebo is an AJAX front end for popular instant messaging networks, such as Yahoo, MSN and AIM. Many people use this to circumvent firewalls which block IM usage. If I want to block users on my network from using Meebo, how would I do it?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Find out Meebo's IP address and block it instead of trying to block a port. You can use fiddler and ping to find the IP.

You can also try to block certain protocols (like httpPOST), which many AJAX applications use for submitting information. This will also stop form posts to other sites.

If your org can lock them down to one browser, you can keep them on IE and prevent use of activeX controls. Since IE 6 uses activeX to instantiate httprequests, you can keep them from using it. This will also kill flash and other apps that use activeX, but will solve the problem.

Your best bet is blocking the IP though.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Very informed user.

Answer 2

Hi,

I think you cant block meebo by any mean, but you have to watch out for meebo - it uses the https ports also. So, if you’re running a transparant proxy, you have to specifically drop the 443’s to https://www7.meebo.com through www36.meebo.com (and they’re may be more)…

As you can see, others have other ways to use IM messages without depending on meboo as well which is called "Gadget". you can take a look at my blog http://ezones.blogspot.com, where i embeded yahoo chat without downloading IM tools or using Meboo as an example.

So, to some extends, IM has been an important part of business communication, and still growing strong. If companies smarten up, they would see the added value of IM in the workplace and maybe they even save some $$ on phone bills.

Best wishes

Eric

http://ezones.blogspot.com