How to Stop employees to waste time on facebook, twitter, MSN...

One of my friends is running a business with 12 employees and very often they are spending time on facebook, MSN chat, Skype etc..

What is the best software to install in order to prevent them?

 

There are many solutions. I've installed " big brother watching" software such as SpectorSoft
http://www.spectorsoft.com/
..which has versions from single for home users, to full network versions which record all computer/employee activity and generate reports, even screenshots or full time video of individual users.

To tackling it from the gateway....a content filtering/UTM like appliance. The one I've been using the most lately is Untangle.
www.untangle.com

Besides the added benefit of a full blown firewall at the gateway, with antivirus, antispyware, firewall, etc...it has content filtering, reporting, and the ability to block sites as well as apps such as instant messengers.

All that is available in the free open source version. Additionally there are cool options with "pay for" modules, ala carte, such as the Active Directory connector. They have a special Small Business Bundle.

VERY cool package!

 

Unless the business computers specifically require web access, block it. If internet access is needed just to connect specific locations or to access a limited number of sites, whitelist those and block the rest. This can be done at the gateway or at the individual PCs. System policy, software rules, HIPS etc can all block the installation and execution of instant message software, or anything else an employee might try to run or install.