I had been tunneling to my home computer using a secure shell so that I could access some sites that have been blocked at work.
Anyhow, a new twist has developed. While I can browse the same restricted internet at work, I can't ping any machines (which means I can't connect to my home machine either). I did just reinstall (Debian) so I'm trying to figure out if it's the network or something with the OS. How can I test this?

The rules page ( http://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/rules.html ) does not explicitly state this but LQ members do not instruct people on circumventing their employer's rules.

Since my post doesn't violate the rules, you're not adding anything constructive to the question. That's a violation of rule #4

I hate Nazis who block sites.

You can use a program called Ultrasurf to bypass filters...

So from your work box (what os) you can surf to say www.google.com but not ping www.google.com? if it's a firewall issue you might be able to fix it by running your sshd server (at home) on port 80.

The owner of the connection and/or computers CAN block whatever they want. In this case, the owner is OP's employer, and we should assume that OP went to work there agreeing to follow their rules.

As someone already said, we don't help people undermine their employer's rules...

Reported for closure.

Oh come on guys. It's not your job on the line. You didn't sign an 'acceptable use' contract with his employers. do you follow all the rules at work? All this guy is trying to do is connect to his own computer to use his own Internet connection, both of which he paid for. I say if he can get it to work then more power to him, and if he gets caught doing something dumb it's his own damn fault.

To the OP: first of all you may regard your thread title as hilarious, but it does not describe your problem using common technical terms we would like to see at LQ and certainly in a forum like Linux Security. I request you alter it. Something like "Tunnelling problem at work", you get the idea. Secondly, and weird as it seems, but rules and regulations are there for a reason. Circumvention may violate the rules and regulations set by the (network) owners, may be regarded as damaging and may hold repercussions. As such we regard this as a (albeit mild) violation of the LQ Rules.
Instead of seeking advice here you should discuss things with the (networks) owners.

I'll find out somewhere else, thanks.

Thanks for understanding.

THis is why Capitalism sucks. it is basically Nazism rebranded....

As opposed to what, Communism? It's not like the largest Communist nation in the world censors an entire country's Internet access for over a billion people... oh, wait...

Being able to enforce security in the work place has nothing to do with economics or political systems.

PS I think you are in serious need of some political history classes. Labeling everything you don't like as "Nazism" is foolish and naïve.

mpg187, if you don't have anything constructive to post, then please don't post. That said, I'm putting an end to this thread anyway. It's clear that in order to provide the OP with the help he is looking for, a member would need to violate the spirit and intent of the LQ rules. Additionally, the OP has already shown that he understands this and has moved on. Thread closed.