I need help Yahoo Messenger blocked at work...

[diane303]

Hey ppl... just want to see if I can get some help with this lil problem.. I had yahoo messenger at work for more than 2 years, but this past weekend when I came back to work I found out they had blocked it, I tried java but it is also blocked ... I have been tryin to find away around to get back on but cant seem to figure it out.. I was wondering If any of U have had this problem before..? is there anything I can do.. Is there another way to get on messenger without having to download it...? Thank You

[des_xx]

Hi diane,

did you try to change your preferences / connections... and choose "firewall with no proxies" option?
Look whats written as explanation:

quote:Some organizations have strict firewalls but dont have proxies. If you cant get messenger to connect using no proxies, you should try this option.
Thr firewall with no proxies settings allows you to connect to our servers only using http requests.

You could try to play with those options and see if they will solve your problem.

[Oreo]

Otherwise, you have to face the fact that someone at work felt it safest to block Yahoo! I'm a Yahoo! lover but at work I have to use AIM and ICQ to go....(though i think they even blocked AIM yesterday). It's all about security and if you like a respect where you work...I'm sure you understand...if not...well...it sucks that they took that away from you...you might want to try these two alternates....they aren't as good...but they're still nice. good luck!

[diane303]

Thank You... Ill give this a try see if it works out I really appreciate ur help....

[shifter]

You could also try the Web-based Yahoo! Messenger available at the bottom of this page. Also remember, if you decide to use AIM or ICQ, you will not be able to talk with your usual Yahoo contacts unless they run AIM/ICQ as well.

[des_xx]

I was thinking...
If all this doesnt work you could use proxy to connect.
I mean proxy outside your company. If you have a friend running a proxy or have computer at home or somewhere else with permanent connection like cable or fiber. There are proxies for Windows, easy to install and configure. By the way, you can alow only one person to use the proxy by seting a password. That is to make sure that no one else will use your bandwidth, connecting to your proxy. The only other condition is a static ip.
And the only thing you need to do after all: go to work run yahoo and set the connection preferences to "Use proxy" and to write down your proxy server ip and port.

It is maybe little bit complicated and has its disadvantages but sure is a solution... And it works... worked for me...

[freddy]

The port the proxies run on may also be blocked by the company.

Yahoo! Messenger can run through a HTTP proxy, and hence run everything as HTTP requests, which one would expect not to be blocked, but HTTP proxies are slow and unreliable, but there are plenty open access ones.

[Oreo]

I would have suggested web-based Yahoo! but that is blocked at my work as well....so I figured it would be blocked at hers....I didn't want to give her false hope....it makes one rather crest fallen when you think something like that's going to work...and then it doesn't. But there's no hurt in trying...that's for sure. I hope you find a solution soon diane!

[cutiebcrazy]

I don't use a PC at work, I have heard a lot recently and been reading about things A LOT of companies are putting into action. Programs that block you from getting into chat rooms, accessing certain pages online, it gives detailed descriptions of what you're doing online, when you're doing it, and where you are going. It takes snap shots. The detail can just be unreal. So if your company computer is suddenly not letting you access yahoo after several years.. I would keep it that way. You don't know who is watching. These programs even keep detailed logs of what ever you type and even if you delete it and decide not to send it, it STILL KEEPS THE LOG. So whatever personal information you don't want out, keep your personal information off your company computer. Keep your company computer for company work! YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING....

[zhugeliang]

That is very true cutiecrazy. Plus, programs are blocked by companies due to security policies, and it's best to abide by them for several reasons. They are also probably going to be monitoring what you do at work, if not now then most likely somewhere in the near future. You can also try talking to your Security Admins about it and see if you can work out some kind of comprimise, but don't be suprised if they just blow you off (they can be snooty like that).