Frederick Motor Company unfriendly toward gun ownership?

[JettaRed]

Waiting for service to my vehicle this morning, I was using the free wifi to surf the web, etc. I tried to go to Widener's and got the following error:

Request denied by WatchGuard HTTP proxy.
Reason: one or more categories denied helper='WiFi.HTTP-Client.WebBlocker.Guest.1' details='Weapons'
Method: GET
Host: wideners.com
Path: /itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100001081&dir=

I can only guess what this means. I wonder if management is aware or just some pissy web master. I think I'll wait until they're done to say anything.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[woodstock]

wegmans, panera bread, honda, block too.

 

[K31]

All this means is someone is using the canned categories in their site blocking program.

 

[zombiehunter]

Yeah ^^

Occam's Razor, man...

 

[EvilOlive]

I'm sure they just pay a company to run the service for them. They probably have no idea what is being blocked / allowed. I wouldn't read too much into it / get to bent about it.

-e0

 

[HappyCamper]

Let the manager know and specifically request that you want access to that site. See what they say.

 

[Blacksmith101]

Let them know your Civil Rights are being infringed. Referring to it as a Civil Rights issue will get their attention and put them in an uncomfortable position.

 

[ofofhy]

We have one of those at work, too. It most likely blocks "alcohol/tobacco" and "adult content" sites as well. No big deal. That's what proxies are for. It's their wifi, their rules. Feel free not to shop there.

 

[smkranz]

Let them know your Civil Rights are being infringed. Referring to it as a Civil Rights issue will get their attention and put them in an uncomfortable position.

My employer has filter software that blocks many things also.

There are many things (and people) that are worthy of being upset and offended over, but IMHO this is not one of them...we do not have a "civil right" to use someone else's free internet connection without restriction. They provide it as a convenience to customers, and filters like that do not bother me.

 

[pittsaero]

My employer has filter software that blocks many things also.

There are many things (and people) that are worthy of being upset and offended over, but IMHO this is not one of them...we do not have a "civil right" to use someone else's free internet connection without restriction. They provide it as a convenience to customers, and filters like that do not bother me.

I agree with the above reply. I have most sites blocked on mine at work so the employees are not web surfing all day. It has nothing to do with infringing on customers, it's trying to keep viruses off the work computers.

 

[adit]

I'm "friendly" and I block the Weapons category as well.

We have a solid majority of pro-2A people.

It's blocked purely for productivity reasons, as is Facebook, Youtube, porn and all of the "entertainment" sites.

In today's litigious environment, you also have to CYA.

Companies like Commtouch provide and maintain the scoring system for routers.

 

[plinkerton]

Waiting for service to my vehicle this morning, I was using the free wifi to surf the web, etc. I tried to go to Widener's and got the following error:

Request denied by WatchGuard HTTP proxy.
Reason: one or more categories denied helper='WiFi.HTTP-Client.WebBlocker.Guest.1' details='Weapons'
Method: GET
Host: wideners.com
Path: /itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100001081&dir=

I can only guess what this means. I wonder if management is aware or just some pissy web master. I think I'll wait until they're done to say anything.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

I've worked with the Watchguard, standard setup. No big deal, the web filter is designed to stop workers from playing on the Internet when they should be working. One of the standard categories is "weapons". They just rolled with the standard categories, not uncommon for free public WiFi. They are giving Internet access away for free and don't want to pay the IT staff to micromanage the service they are not making money off of.
I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Docster]

I'm sure they just pay a company to run the service for them. They probably have no idea what is being blocked / allowed. I wouldn't read too much into it / get to bent about it.

-e0

Yes, this has been discussed over and over again. It's a generic blocking service. It's THEIR free WiFi, a service provided to everyone for FREE, at their cost.

There's more important issues to deal with. Pick your battles.

 

[TxAggie]

I had my car at Apple Ford in Columbia a few weeks back, no issues even when I went to LaRue and other manufacturers.

 

[Gbh]

blocked purely for productivity reasons, as is ... porn and all of the "entertainment" sites.

So I guess Employee Moral means nothing?

 

[MDFF2008]

Toyota of Bowie blocks FACEBOOK on their guest wifi network.

 

[Blacksmith101]

It's their wifi and if they are trying to please their customers by offering it. Vote with your wallet and let the company know why they will be loosing your future business.

If it is there for employees business use then they should block all non business sites and if the employees want to work somewhere else they are free to quit. But if your supervisors and managers were doing their jobs they would know if employees are working or surfing.

Free choice for everyone and choices have consequences for the business as well as the employees and customers.

 

[JettaRed]

Thanks for all the opinions. I understand it is their wifi. If you see the prices they charge and all the stuff they try to upsell you, I'd question if it's really free. FWIW, they also blocked Sportsmans Guide under the category of "shopping". They also blocked my email. Other than using Tapatalk, I may not have been able to post anything.

Now that I understand this is a common practice, I guess you do really get what you pay for. I just thought they were making a political statement or something.

 

[adit]

I'm "friendly" and I block the Weapons category as well.

We have a solid majority of pro-2A people.

It's blocked purely for productivity reasons, as is Facebook, Youtube, porn and all of the "entertainment" sites.

In today's litigious environment, you also have to CYA.

Companies like Commtouch provide and maintain the scoring system for routers.

Just as a followup, we don't block anything on the customer WiFi. And yes, these are car dealerships as well that I am talking about.

 

[frdfandc]

If I want to surf the web, I use my phone's web browser or wait till I get home. Usually I wait till I get home.