More Companies Limiting Employees' Use of Internet Services

Companies are clamping down on employees' workplace use of the expanding range of free Internet services, such as instant messaging and video downloading, to protect themselves from viruses, communications traffic jams and regulatory missteps. As the spread of broadband technology makes it possible for millions of Americans to watch TV on the Web or make cheap phone calls, companies, government agencies and universities are concerned about the possible side effects -- including the threat of a worm or other bit of malicious code sneaking into their computer systems.