IT help please - privacy on home PC
Discussion
My wife's company have just setup a PC in our house so she can work from home.
The IT chap who came round this afternoon to set it up said that they can take remote control of the PC anytime should she have any problems. There is a programme called "LANDesk Remote Control" on the PC, which has an icon in the system tray.
We wish to use the PC for personal things as well, such as online banking, but I'm now concerned that all our details and online activities can be monitored/logged by the IT department.
Could someone please confirm my suspicions and/or tell me if there's anything I can do to preserve our privacy? The LANDesk programme does not seem to be turn-offable and I don't want to potentially screw anything up.
I'm wondering if the remote control only works when the Mrs is actually logged-on to her office network, in which case I can relax. However, the icon is in the system tray now, even though we're not logged on to the network.
Can I set up another user account/Domain for non-business use? If so, how do I do this?
The system is XP Professional, Version 2002, Service Pack 2.
Many thanks.
The IT chap who came round this afternoon to set it up said that they can take remote control of the PC anytime should she have any problems. There is a programme called "LANDesk Remote Control" on the PC, which has an icon in the system tray.
We wish to use the PC for personal things as well, such as online banking, but I'm now concerned that all our details and online activities can be monitored/logged by the IT department.
Could someone please confirm my suspicions and/or tell me if there's anything I can do to preserve our privacy? The LANDesk programme does not seem to be turn-offable and I don't want to potentially screw anything up.
I'm wondering if the remote control only works when the Mrs is actually logged-on to her office network, in which case I can relax. However, the icon is in the system tray now, even though we're not logged on to the network.
Can I set up another user account/Domain for non-business use? If so, how do I do this?
The system is XP Professional, Version 2002, Service Pack 2.
Many thanks.
Basically, their PC, they can do whatever they want with it.
I'd get the missus to ask nicely if she can set up another local user account and use that for personal stuff, but they are well within their rights to tell her no.
If you have a problem with this, buy another PC, and use that instead.
I know its not the most helpful response, but its accurate.
I'd get the missus to ask nicely if she can set up another local user account and use that for personal stuff, but they are well within their rights to tell her no.
If you have a problem with this, buy another PC, and use that instead.
I know its not the most helpful response, but its accurate.
If it has a removable hard drive, buy your own hard drive install the software you want on it and swap them over when you wish to use it as 'your PC'..
You will have to buy your own harddrive and software (inc operating system) this way- but this way its effectively a different computer when you switch the drives.
NB:- this may or may not contravene her companies policy on use company property so you may errr.. need to look into this..
You will have to buy your own harddrive and software (inc operating system) this way- but this way its effectively a different computer when you switch the drives.
NB:- this may or may not contravene her companies policy on use company property so you may errr.. need to look into this..
Certainly they can do what they say with LanDesk. However I would say that from my experience, (I support many clients with remote control software of many different types), it is unlikely to be something they will do unless there is an issue.
If they are on the ball you won't be able to setup another user account yourself. If they don't care about you doing this then LanDesk may be setup as a system service rather than for a user account thus it wouldn't matter as they can access the PC no matter what account is being used. Even if you have another account they can't access there will be plenty of recorded items on your PC they can track whether logged into that account or not.
TBH I wouldn't worry too much about their access on demand. I haven't looked into LanDesk in any great detail but most programs like this indicate remote access on the user desktop so you will know when someone has dialled in thus any unwanted access will be obvious.
If not and you are still worried then I presume you have broadband and as such you could put in a broadband router to allow the existing work PC internet access through the work network and also a second PC. Thus both PC's are using the 'paid for' internet connection and you can pick up a second PC for £400 or even a wireless laptop that you can access from anywhere in the house if you buy a wireless router.
It shouldn't be too difficult to setup if you go for a router and 2nd PC and if you can't do it yourself some spotty geek from the local college would do it for pin money.
Good luck.
If they are on the ball you won't be able to setup another user account yourself. If they don't care about you doing this then LanDesk may be setup as a system service rather than for a user account thus it wouldn't matter as they can access the PC no matter what account is being used. Even if you have another account they can't access there will be plenty of recorded items on your PC they can track whether logged into that account or not.
TBH I wouldn't worry too much about their access on demand. I haven't looked into LanDesk in any great detail but most programs like this indicate remote access on the user desktop so you will know when someone has dialled in thus any unwanted access will be obvious.
If not and you are still worried then I presume you have broadband and as such you could put in a broadband router to allow the existing work PC internet access through the work network and also a second PC. Thus both PC's are using the 'paid for' internet connection and you can pick up a second PC for £400 or even a wireless laptop that you can access from anywhere in the house if you buy a wireless router.
It shouldn't be too difficult to setup if you go for a router and 2nd PC and if you can't do it yourself some spotty geek from the local college would do it for pin money.
Good luck.
Hereward said:
My wife's company have just setup a PC in our house ... We wish to use the PC for personal things as well, such as online banking
Bad move imo, it's just like using the work PC in your office to do your banking, you have to assume that anyone in the company can potentially see everything you do, don't use it to access anything confidential.
It sounds like you need a PC of your own at home. Perhaps since you own the company you can pursuade somebody in IT to recommend one and help set it up, but it's not exactly difficult and even if you're completely clueless you can pay a local independent IT support bod to do all that for you for a few quid. Laptops tend to give you less bang for per buck, but you might consider getting a laptop as your own PC since it gives you flexibility that the company's PC doesn't.
Soft Top said:
Certainly they can do what they say with LanDesk. However I would say that from my experience, (I support many clients with remote control software of many different types), it is unlikely to be something they will do unless there is an issue.
If they are on the ball you won't be able to setup another user account yourself. If they don't care about you doing this then LanDesk may be setup as a system service rather than for a user account thus it wouldn't matter as they can access the PC no matter what account is being used. Even if you have another account they can't access there will be plenty of recorded items on your PC they can track whether logged into that account or not.
TBH I wouldn't worry too much about their access on demand. I haven't looked into LanDesk in any great detail but most programs like this indicate remote access on the user desktop so you will know when someone has dialled in thus any unwanted access will be obvious.
If not and you are still worried then I presume you have broadband and as such you could put in a broadband router to allow the existing work PC internet access through the work network and also a second PC. Thus both PC's are using the 'paid for' internet connection and you can pick up a second PC for £400 or even a wireless laptop that you can access from anywhere in the house if you buy a wireless router.
It shouldn't be too difficult to setup if you go for a router and 2nd PC and if you can't do it yourself some spotty geek from the local college would do it for pin money.
Good luck.
If they are on the ball you won't be able to setup another user account yourself. If they don't care about you doing this then LanDesk may be setup as a system service rather than for a user account thus it wouldn't matter as they can access the PC no matter what account is being used. Even if you have another account they can't access there will be plenty of recorded items on your PC they can track whether logged into that account or not.
TBH I wouldn't worry too much about their access on demand. I haven't looked into LanDesk in any great detail but most programs like this indicate remote access on the user desktop so you will know when someone has dialled in thus any unwanted access will be obvious.
If not and you are still worried then I presume you have broadband and as such you could put in a broadband router to allow the existing work PC internet access through the work network and also a second PC. Thus both PC's are using the 'paid for' internet connection and you can pick up a second PC for £400 or even a wireless laptop that you can access from anywhere in the house if you buy a wireless router.
It shouldn't be too difficult to setup if you go for a router and 2nd PC and if you can't do it yourself some spotty geek from the local college would do it for pin money.
Good luck.
Good Post.
Landesk does run as a service and so having a different account makes no difference.
I very much doubt the team would dare to try and remotely view the boss's PC, although as Soft Top has said it would make a much better idea to use a second PC for person use.
GreenV8S said:
Hereward said:
My wife's company have just setup a PC in our house ... We wish to use the PC for personal things as well, such as online banking
Bad move imo, it's just like using the work PC in your office to do your banking, you have to assume that anyone in the company can potentially see everything you do, don't use it to access anything confidential.
It sounds like you need a PC of your own at home. Perhaps since you own the company you can pursuade somebody in IT to recommend one and help set it up, but it's not exactly difficult and even if you're completely clueless you can pay a local independent IT support bod to do all that for you for a few quid. Laptops tend to give you less bang for per buck, but you might consider getting a laptop as your own PC since it gives you flexibility that the company's PC doesn't.
Why not just get the IT staff to purchase a PC/Laptop for you and then you can get tax relif while buying the machine at a reduced rate as most companies do.
Hereward said:
I should mention that my wife owns the company!
BING!
"Please remove the remote control software from my computer, I do not wish it on MY specific company issued machine."
She's the MD/Owner, in my book that's it End Of Story.
so need a new IT spud then?
Edited by ThePassenger on Saturday 11th November 00:30
ThePassenger said:
"Please remove the remote control software from my computer, I do not wish it on MY specific company issued machine."
"In the event of any IT problem or for maintenance, please unplug the base unit and drive it to wherever IT are located."
It does amuse me that it's usually the execs on 6-figure salaries who are too tight to pay for a personal PC at home.
sjg said:
ThePassenger said:
"Please remove the remote control software from my computer, I do not wish it on MY specific company issued machine."
"In the event of any IT problem or for maintenance, please unplug the base unit and drive it to wherever IT are located."
It does amuse me that it's usually the execs on 6-figure salaries who are too tight to pay for a personal PC at home.
Personally if I was earning 6 figures I'd have a nice car. So bringing the box in to work would be a joy.
Besides she's the MD, all she has to do is say "Come here" and IT will be appearing at her door booted n' suited... with a smile on their face.
Passwords are retreivable if you use the 'remember password' option, other than that you'd have to use a keylogger - but thats not exactly standard tech support stuff, thats deliberate snooping. BTW Keyloggers are the reason why a lot of banking sites only ask for a couple of different digits each time, so you never have to type the whole thing in for a logger to pick up.
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