Work computers and them knowing
Discussion
OK, so i have been a bit slow at work lately and because of this get distracted by net a bit too often. I don't like that i am looking at it frequently in the day but am not exactly rushed off feet so get bored.
The computers are all networked so i access internet through their lines. What i want to know is how much do they see of what i look at.
I clear out the internet files from my own C drive most days but assume that the webpages are logged on a central server somewhere - is that true? My basis for this thought is it isn't "my" computer that goes on internet, its via a central intranet/internet system... How easy is it for them to work out it was me viewing PH at that time (assume there is a code for computer on the system somewhere)
I'm not looking at porn or anything, only PH and a few other car pages, but as i am contract i dont want to get in a situation where they can hold access times against my hours (not that i am taking the piss here either, i only book what i have done, but the impression may not be so...)
Cheers
The computers are all networked so i access internet through their lines. What i want to know is how much do they see of what i look at.
I clear out the internet files from my own C drive most days but assume that the webpages are logged on a central server somewhere - is that true? My basis for this thought is it isn't "my" computer that goes on internet, its via a central intranet/internet system... How easy is it for them to work out it was me viewing PH at that time (assume there is a code for computer on the system somewhere)
I'm not looking at porn or anything, only PH and a few other car pages, but as i am contract i dont want to get in a situation where they can hold access times against my hours (not that i am taking the piss here either, i only book what i have done, but the impression may not be so...)
Cheers
Oh 
they know every little bit you visit (depending on size of company and hardware equipment). You do probably visit the internet via a proxy server in your office, and the proxy logs every 'kin picture/page and which user downloaded it. I understand that we do have a lot of PHers that maintain these logfiles, so if you know the one in your company, be nice to him 
they know every little bit you visit (depending on size of company and hardware equipment). You do probably visit the internet via a proxy server in your office, and the proxy logs every 'kin picture/page and which user downloaded it. I understand that we do have a lot of PHers that maintain these logfiles, so if you know the one in your company, be nice to him 
Yes, companies can (and do) record vast amounts of information about your browsing activities.
However, all the information in the world is useless if people don't actually look at it, which is usually the case. Usually you only trip the automated alarms if you REALLY take the piss, like all-day browsing and/or viewing porn.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 22 July 09:05
However, all the information in the world is useless if people don't actually look at it, which is usually the case. Usually you only trip the automated alarms if you REALLY take the piss, like all-day browsing and/or viewing porn.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 22 July 09:05
billb said:
we can tell absolutely everything. i can look at other peoples screens if i want to without them knowing and if their computer has a microphone eg a laptop i can here what is said in their office....be warned!
deleting stuff on ure machine means nothing if its networked
makes it less obvious though if someone happens to use that machine
JonRB said:
Yes, companies can (and do) record vast amounts of information about your browsing activities.
However, all the information in the world is useless if people don't actually look at it, which is usually the case. Usually you only trip the automated alarms if you REALLY take the piss, like all-day browsing and/or viewing porn.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 22 July 09:05
precisely
isn't there a privacy law or data protection act they need to be careful with.
ie if they're going to monitor and look at the data, they should tell you first?????
slinky said:
AFAIK, IT dept's aren't allowed to just go looking, BUT, if they have alerts set, ie. user downloading x amount of data in a day, they can use that as sufficient evidence to go and have a look at what the user has been doing..
slinky
I believe that your employers are entitled to snoop on you for any reason. This can mean covert recording or filming - and certainly recording web-usage.
Proxy servers do record every web site but, as was previously mentioned, this rarely gets looked at. Generally, these logs get huge and are wiped to free space anyhow.
rsvmilly said:
AFAIK, IT dept's aren't allowed to just go looking, BUT, if they have alerts set, ie. user downloading x amount of data in a day, they can use that as sufficient evidence to go and have a look at what the user has been doing..
slinky
I believe that your employers are entitled to snoop on you for any reason. This can mean covert recording or filming - and certainly recording web-usage.
Proxy servers do record every web site but, as was previously mentioned, this rarely gets looked at. Generally, these logs get huge and are wiped to free space anyhow.
theres lots of conflicting laws but the general concensus seems to be if you have told ure employess u may do it and they sign it eg in an acceptable use policy then the employers can look when they like. unless they's a specific complaint about someone though or the web site is very dodgy - ie child porn cw pistonheads than I doubt if they'd bother
As the guy who is responsible for the UK security of a multinational I can confirm we can and do log all internet access be it proxy logs or Firewall logs with reverse internal lookups.
Proxy logs pins it down to the specific user as you have to sign in for each session.
Firewall logs will tell us the time, machine used, destination, current logged in account on that machine (but this may not be the current user!!) and duration open (Duration can only be calculated is the site has auto update items such as ad banners).
We can also remote monitor (view) all machine with or without permissions.
All Email are kept for 2 weeks unless placed on the monitor list.
However I will add that despite this we dont sit around looking at the reports/Logs trying to catch ppl out. Usually have a glance on a monthly basis but mostly only look if alerts are triggered such as known porn, webmail and chat sites or asked by a manager. Oddly PH does not seem to trigger this
In terms of the legal side of it even with current Legislation we can still look at your activities while using company equipment if your are suspected to be undertaking acts that could compromise the business. Most as we do also have statements in your terms of employment to reflect this.
Proxy logs pins it down to the specific user as you have to sign in for each session.
Firewall logs will tell us the time, machine used, destination, current logged in account on that machine (but this may not be the current user!!) and duration open (Duration can only be calculated is the site has auto update items such as ad banners).
We can also remote monitor (view) all machine with or without permissions.
All Email are kept for 2 weeks unless placed on the monitor list.
However I will add that despite this we dont sit around looking at the reports/Logs trying to catch ppl out. Usually have a glance on a monthly basis but mostly only look if alerts are triggered such as known porn, webmail and chat sites or asked by a manager. Oddly PH does not seem to trigger this
In terms of the legal side of it even with current Legislation we can still look at your activities while using company equipment if your are suspected to be undertaking acts that could compromise the business. Most as we do also have statements in your terms of employment to reflect this.
I used to work in a school and although we only rudimentary methods of logging and searching it was a regular job for me to scan users directories/what they have been browsing... There were known culprits and I was given the job of keeping an eye on them.
Even at a school level we had alerts when certain users logged on, recording of their desktops (every 3 seconds or so), logs of all the domains their machine visits...
A bussiness will have more money to check you out If you shouldn't be doing something, don't do it in the first place!
Even at a school level we had alerts when certain users logged on, recording of their desktops (every 3 seconds or so), logs of all the domains their machine visits...
A bussiness will have more money to check you out
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