Browsing the internet at work, can the IT department see it all ?

[RPatrick6]

How much information do the IT guys see about what sites I visit ? Do they know what time sites are viewed and for how long ? Is there any way to avoid being tracked. I've heard of sites that will give you a different IP address but have no idea if that would help here.

P.S. I'm not talking about seeing porn here. I visit mainly sites like Anandtech, Drudgereport, etc...

 

[Fardringle]

Your question really can only be answered by the folks in your IT department. With the right equipment and auditing procedures, yes, it is certainly possible to track every web site you visit as well as the time of the visits and the number of times you visit those sites. If you need to do something like IP spoofing to avoid a company policy (this is the only reason I can think of that you'd be worried about it) then I'd highly recommend that you simply not surf the Internet at all if you have any interest in keeping your job.

If it's not against company policy then there's nothing to worry about, and trying to 'fool the system' with a different IP address is likely to get you in more trouble than some harmless web surfing would.

 

[Devistater]

Your company (and everyone elses) potentially has the ability to track EVERY website you visit (including the ads from sites. Some sites are ok, but they have prono ads), and every email you send and receive (and read them if they want), and every action you do on you computer (including potentialy seeing what you see on teh screen), look at and examine every file on your hdd etc. Basically everything you can do or know about your work computer (or laptop!!!) can be examined, read, watched by the IT guys.

There are MANY many people who have gotten fired for visiting inappropriate sites, and its not just pron either. People have also gotten fired for blogging about work. Sometimes its enough to visit sites that the boss doesn't agree with politically. So ask your IT guy whats appropriate. Like for instance it might be ok to check news during your lunch hour, but not other wise. Also examine your written policies to see what they permit and prohibit. If you like fark, make sure not to visit any sites labeled NSFW (not safe for work).

It would REALLY suck to get fired for visiting some news sites, so make sure you are proactive and find out what is allowed and what is not. Written and unwritten. Like the computer policy may have a blanket statement about visiting sites on work time (or even during lunch hour) Or just dont use the internet at all for personal use.

 

[RPatrick6]

Thanks for the good info.

They have been cool about web surfing for several years, basically not even saying anything about it, but now my VP boss is taking over heading the IT guys, and he is going to make everyone sign a user agreement. He is quite the perfectionist and has already been talking about cracking down big time on web surfing. I agree it is best to just not surf.

 

[ScottMac]

There are also many systems to allow them to watch you (i.e., parallel your screen) without your knowledge. They can (if they want to) watch every move & click.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: RPatrick6
Thanks for the good info.

They have been cool about web surfing for several years, basically not even saying anything about it, but now my VP boss is taking over heading the IT guys, and he is going to make everyone sign a user agreement. He is quite the perfectionist and has already been talking about cracking down big time on web surfing. I agree it is best to just not surf.

Make sure to read that user agreement before and after you've signed it. If its not clear then consider waiting on signing it and talking/emailing the boss and asking him to clarify things.