IT Folks: what is my computer connecting to?

[Kiva]

Hi

I have little snitch installed. I like to see what sorts of connections my computer is making

I notice that, while at work, my computer will sometimes want to connect to a local address that I know is related to work. The thing is, it's only when I surf to *some* web pages. BBC or CNN news? No problem. Sites affiliated with the school? Fine. Talkingpointsmemo.com? It wants to connect. Other similar stuff as well.

I always choose "deny until quit", but I'm wondering what they're doing. Are they tracking where I am going on the web? I have nothing to hide - I do read some news while taking breaks at work - but why is it doing this?

Is that not enough info?

kiva

[ztirffritz]

I have problems because of the ads that appear on some websites. As an example, users are trying to go to Sports Illustrated's site and it has an ad link to the Swimsuit issue. That generates an email to me that says the user was trying to look at 'Intimate Apparel or Swimwear'. They shouldn't be going to SI in the first place, but the warning makes it look much worse than it really is. I've learned to be a bit more tolerant because of this, but I hate playing judge and jury on issues like this.

[Kiva]

so, if I deny the connection, there's no ability for them to track, right?

I mean, really, what is going on behind the scenes in the IT world's tracking of where line workers go on the web? ;-)

kiva