Blocking instant messaging on Windows Server 2003 machines
Instant Messaging, Network Security Policies, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 Group Policy, Windows Server 2003 security
I need to block instant messenger on all networked machines. Can this be done in a Windows Server 2003 environments? Is there a step by step guide out there?
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
August 18, 2010 8:45 PM
UPDATED:
August 20, 2010 4:13 PM
Answer Wiki:
Hi ITKE,
is it windows messenger that you would like to block? if yes then you can use the policy if you are using AD.
if it is like msn messenger and yahoo messenger and etc, you will need to use proxy
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Here’s how to shut down Instant Messenger via Group Policy.
Using the Group Policy Editor, edit the policy for which you want to prohibit instant messaging. Navigate to User Configuration->Administrative Templates->System and double click on “Don’t run specified Windows applications” in the right window pane.
Make sure the option is “Enabled” and click the Show button.
Click on add and type in the name of the instant messaging program’s executable that you want to block. (We’ve chosen in our example Google Talk — googletalk.exe.)
Other .exe names include:
MSN Messenger — msnmsgr.exe
Windows Messenger — msmsgs.exe
AOL Instant Messenger — aim.exe
Trillian — trillian.exe
Once you’ve finished entering in all of the programs you want to block, click Ok. Then apply. Then Ok.