I am trying to figure out how to help my boss with this problem. We use IM to tell each other need to know stuff but it is all supposed to be work related. I thought one of the easier ways was to use spyware, but I have been told that it is not a good way to go. So can you please help me out with other options. I work off a linux computer but all of her's are on 2000. The other concern is to what websites that they are going to, how do I fix these issues? I am new to computers and greatly appreciate any help that you have to offer.

One really great free alternative is called Dans Guardian. Its a linux based firewall with a proxy filter. You can filter webpages based on content or categorization. Like any good firewall, it keeps track of all surfing, in a corporate environment, this means that you can search logs by IP and see what anyone in your company has been doing.

The IM issue is totally different and extremely difficult to stop. The best thing to do is lay down a very strict no-tolerance policy about wasting time at work. A network administrator cannot do this part alone, it has to come from the very top.

If your company uses IM for work, great. Its a good tool. However you should implement periodic checks to see who is on their "buddy lists". Either that, or your company can adopt an obscure tool that works on an intranet versus out on the open interweb.