What Does It Mean When the Internet Is Blocked?

by C.D. Crowder

Businesses sometimes block Internet access to prevent employees from visiting certain sites or from using the Internet at all. Access may be limited to just network resources or a single web portal to enter business data such as orders or product information. Even if the company didn't block the Internet, other factors can trigger network security protocols which block all access to the Internet to prevent further problems from viruses and hackers.

Restricted Access

Employees may only need access to specific websites. To prevent employees from wasting time checking personal email, shopping or socializing online, businesses restrict access to a short list of websites. The sites include only those which are absolutely necessary for the employee to do his job. Even if search engines aren't blocked, employees still won't be able to access any of the search results unless specifically listed as an approved website. For additional access, employees must request and then be approved.


Instead of creating an approved or blocked list of sites, businesses may create filters which limit the types of websites employees can visit. Filters can be set to block specific words, domains or types of sites, such as sites containing video content. Filters can also be set based upon specific users or groups of users to further limit which employees have access to which types of sites. Businesses using filters generally grant more access to the Internet than those that block lists of sites.


Company-wide anti-virus and firewall programs may block access to the Internet or specific sites if a virus or other threat is detected. If a virus is already on the network, the IT department can temporarily block all Internet access to prevent any data from leaving the network until the virus is completely wiped from the network. As a preventative measure, some anti-virus programs automatically restrict access if a threat is found by blocking employees from visiting a specific site, preventing downloads or shutting down the Internet connection altogether until a system scan is run.

Violating Company Policy

Some companies have strict policies on what employees can and cannot do on company computers. For instance, using peer-to-peer downloading program could violate company policy and results in the employee's Internet access being revoked. If the business has network policies in place, any violations may automatically trigger a block on an employee's computer until the activity has been reviewed and any necessary actions have been taken to prevent further violations.

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