I just recieved a new wireless web PC card that was was preactivated by my employeer. is there a way to tell if this way of connecting to the internet is allowing my employeer to view both the sites visited and any other files on my computer? Thank you for any information and help.

If your employer has never had access to your computer.. in short ...no.
If your employer doesn't know your ip address of your internet connection, ... no.

If he has any of the above,.. then theoretically, yes.

But from what you explained, it appears that the employer payed for a wireless pc web card, and activated it, probably so he/she can get a rebate back. That's my take on it.

If you feel game, just reinstall your os, and you'll know from then on he/she can't be monitoring you.

If the computer belongs to them, then yes, they can see everything you do it, if they installed the programs. And when I say everything... that's what I mean. They can install key-loggers and other monitoring software on that computer... and at any given time, all they have to do is hit a button or 2, and they can sit back and watch every-single thing you've done on your computer... all the way down to showing them the web sites in plain view. And they can track you by your keystrokes and mouse clicks. In other words, they can tell everything you typed, all the way down to the capital H and the lowercase h.

But if it's a job related computer or it belongs to them,.. just be careful as to what you do on it, because it's not hard to tell what you've been doing on it.

I fogot to mention that it is a laptop that i am referencing to. They have no physical access to it unless i send it in for repair. Does that make a difference?

Do you access a corporate network for email or documents? If this is your employers machine it's theirs to do with as they see fit.

Just to add to the discussion.. if you are connecting wirelessly through your company's lan, then they are likely to have a record of where you go and what you do on their router. If you do not hook up through their network, then no, they can't tell where you have been or what you are doing..

HOWEVER, as already been stated, in the event that you were issued your laptop by the company, there may be monitoring software on there. Now for the next big HOWEVER, even though they may monitor what you are doing, unless you signed an "AUP" (acceptable use policy) that stated that you may be monitored, blah, blah, blah, and clearly outlines the expected use of the laptop, they can't monitor you. Or rather, they can if they want, but they can't fire you because of your actions. If they do, they face a lawsuit for invasion of privacy. Even on company property, there are situations where employees have an expectation of privacy. For instance, your boss can not sit and listen to your phone calls, nor can they video tape you in the bathroom.

If it is your own computer, they can monitor your traffic through their server, router, switch, or whatever. That is their prerogative and necessary to protect their network.

Confuse you more?

EDIT: Don't you love how we can make a mountain out of a molehill?

Just to add a little to the mountain.

As groovicus mentioned, you may be monitored wether you signed a AUP agreement or not.

Should they feel your web use is undesirable to the point that they want to fire you, they do not have to use that as the reason for your termination.


I employed 400 + people at one time and I can assure you there are many areas that they could point to as the reason for termination instead of your computer use. In other words if they want to sack you, they will find a way.

In short my advice would be this.( Although you did not ask for it.) If you like your job, be careful.

I am not trying to make you paranoid in any way but only want to point out a very possible scenario.

Just my .02


Dennis

dont know much about computers so sorry if i sound stupid. all i do is go to my broadband connection program and click connect, then i click on the internet explorer. if i understand right, this means there is no way to be monitored because i am going straight to the internet and not through company

No need to apologize.