network privicy question

[JimAnsell]

if i'm on a network at work, but on my own laptop, will i be able to browse the web without my history being recorded and accessed by another computer on the network?

[Shoreguy]

If a company is already recording your work computer's usage, chances are they've already been monitoring the IP traffic across the network. Quick answer to a longer, more detailed explaination, yes.

[Midknyte]

it depends on how your work network is set up. if your company is running a proxy server, then they can track the sites you visit. they may also be using content filtering.

make sure it is ok with your IT staff that you use your personal computer on their network. some admins aren't too keen on that.

[JimAnsell]

i work in the snack bar on a country club golf course. there is a touch monitor point of sale computer out here hooked up to the clubs network. i just unhooked the ethernet cable from the POS computer and pluged it into my laptop and wah lah, it worked without any configuring!

so i was kinda curious if they could see where i was going since i really don't think they'd be too fond of some of the stuff over at somethingawful.com :D

[Shoreguy]

Hrmm.....In addition to MK, PoS systems are often tied into the security system so the electronic register can be tracked/matched to the security cam info, and conversely back to the paper trail receipts. If the PoS has a trouble-alert tied into it, you may already be getting the attention of at least IT...
It depends on how much they spent on the PoS and Security systems, not just IT.

...as an edit, PoS and Security are usually on separate networks than the internet-enabled work network. If you're able to unplug the PoS and hook up your laptop immediately, they probably aren't doing much to track employees usage.

[Kandar]

You’re on very dangerous ground. Just because you have had no repercussions from your actions so far does not mean that your actions have gone unnoticed.
Many administrators monitor network traffic as a matter course and are very likely to notice a sudden increase in traffic on any given port. Your usage is 100% traceable even if you’re using your own Laptop it is after all connecting through their systems.
If I where the admin I would be quietly logging all your activities and allowing you just enough rope to hang yourself. By the time you discovered you’d been rumbled, it would be to far down the line for you to escape the trap.

My advice is to cease and desist or ready your bottom for the mother of all spankings. :)

[JimAnsell]

Well yesterday when the club manager came out here and saw i was on the net, all he said to me was "hey, can you see how the Lions are doing?"

:D

[MSM0603]

I don't think that the 19th hole snack bar is very high on the homeland defense risk list. :-)