petro
 
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FRANCE
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Date: 2/3/12 5:32 PM Does anyone know if it is possible for companies to install software which allows them to read the private email accounts of employees if/when employees consult their private mail on the company computer? A friend thinks that her privacy has been breached in this way at work. Its not something I had ever considered, would the networking allow this? ------
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jadamo00
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NY USA
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In reply to petro
Date: 2/3/12 5:37 PM Gosh, I'm sure it's POSSIBLE!
j. |
jynclr
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TX USA
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Date: 2/3/12 5:39 PM In short: Yes.
It's possible the company could read the network traffic. If your friend was logging in via a work computer that's how the company could read her emails. ESPECIALLY if she's checking email on the web.
I don't remember precedence on this right now but me, personally, I always view work computers and even the network to be "company property." Even though I do, yes, IM, I watch what I say since the computer and network are not mine to do with as I please.
Regarding emails, I never EVER read personal emails on a company computer.
EVER.
It is simply good personal policy to leave personal stuff off of work computers. Get a smart phone that can access one's personal email accounts so that way the company can't read that network traffic. (And that means NOT hooking up the smart phone to the company Wi-Fi, but using one's own paid for data plan.)
I know folks here at work that although they can IM (like I said, I do), they still use their phones and simply text when they want to chat with friends.
The only thing they'll find on my assigned computer here at work is sewing related and facebook. And we're a marketing company so facebook and other sites are "ok." We probably have a wider range of allowed sites than most companies, but still. I leave personal stuff OFF of a company computer simply for the fact that I know what can be put on computers. I'm also a paranoid software developer, so.. keep that in mind. 
-- Edited on 2/3/12 5:40 PM --
ETA:
Tell your friend to always assume that anything they do on their computer at work is NOT private, it CAN be read, and to act accordingly.
-- Edited on 2/3/12 5:43 PM -- ------
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SexiSadi
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SC USA
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In reply to petro
Date: 2/3/12 5:40 PM I'm sure it's possible. And it's probably legal if you are using their internet connection and work provided computer to conduct personal business while on company time. I could be wrong though, i'm sure someone will along to correct me. ------
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poorpigling
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TX USA
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In reply to petro
Date: 2/3/12 6:10 PM
Yes.. and as far as legally goes.. its legal in the USA.. not sure about France though. |
a7yrstitch
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TX USA
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In reply to petro
Date: 2/3/12 6:27 PM In the U.S., at least, one should never presume online privacy at work. If fact, one should presume just the opposite. For many employers, it is a matter of productivity. I don't really consider any email to be totally private. The key here, though, is that she was on the company computer. ------
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SewPaula
Advanced Beginner
MO USA
Member since 2/18/04
Posts: 339 |
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Date: 2/3/12 6:30 PM Yes, they can and yes it is legal. My dh, a network security analyst for a health care system and responsible for some 20,000 computers, has seen some emails that definitely should have stayed on a private network. They do nothing in most cases as they are looking for anyone who may be trying to sending unsecured confidential patient information or financial information via the internet. But they are constantly scanning and monitoring the emails and websites that are accessed. If it is going outside the firewall, it is being scanned.
You'd be surprised at some of the stuff that people send from work. Sometimes I wonder how they have time to actually work. ------
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jadamo00
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NY USA
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In reply to poorpigling
Date: 2/3/12 7:27 PM Y'know, this just rubs me. Just because you are employed somewhere, they don't OWN you for 8 hours. And here's my personal take.
Yes, I know MANY MANY people abuse internet/phone use on the job. On the otha hand...
I love my work, I work like a horse, I do more work than I need to. I work through lunch, I never say die, they adore me on the job.
It is a bit of relaxation and very helpful for me to take a 2 minute break many times during the day and check my emails, or the weather, or the news. Or Jewel Quest.
Am I raving? I think I'm raving. I'm raving, right?
j.
-- Edited on 2/4/12 8:11 AM -- |
Wino
Intermediate
PA USA
Member since 9/24/06
Posts: 359 |
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In reply to petro
Date: 2/3/12 7:42 PM Oh please LOL ! The deal is you are at WORK....the company I work for has a disclaimer in print on email and internet use at work. Personal email accounts can not be accessed at all-basically you can be fired for this and it says so in print. Limited use of the internet not for work i.e. placing an Amazon order during the holidays or reading the news while eating lunch at your desk is acceptable. The company manages their own internal network-it's not like Verizon is enabling the company to spy on you. If it is necesary to check email at work, get a smart phone-much more secure. ------
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ShantiSeamstressing
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Member since 6/11/10
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Date: 2/3/12 10:01 PM It definitely can be done here in the U.S., (and employers flatly come out and say so) but I don't know how things are in France? |
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