Block all chatting software mIRC, MSN, Yahoo, etc

[MT_MAN]

I want to block all chating software in windows 2003 server. My employee works on w2k3 and I want to allow run any chating software on it.

How can I do this.

[eyeball]

3 quick suggestions of the top of my head:

1) you can use path restriction policies through group policy to block messaging software (but there are a lot)

2) You can block all ports on the firewall except those you specify

3) Run users as standard users, therefore preventing them from installing any messaging software

Thanks

[nitroshift]

Running a network of almost 12k pc's and one thing i can tell you: your employees WILL find a way around any measure you take. Take for example Yahoo! messenger: block its ports and still you can run it on http, straight off a web page, so you will have to filter that address out through a proxy, router, etc... You`re on a quite big task, trust me. But good luck!!!