office privacy

[rancid240]

I found out today that a higher up (not my boss, specifically) was going through my desk and computer. When I found out I was pretty pissed, I think its very disrespectful to violate someones privacy. So I asked the person what it was that they needed, but he said nothing and brushed it off. I wanted to say something, but I decided to just let myself cool off and not risk my job (thinking about financing a car soon). I thought against asking my boss about it, since I have a suspicion that he may have asked the rummager to rummage.

Anyways just wondering what you guys think I should do. Right now the best idea I have is to set a password for the screensaver.

[Phlip]

Stop looking at porn on your work computer and writing memoirs of the things you do on the weekends?

[aznpoopy]

you have no privacy on an office computer. you should've known that already.

edit: you can't do anything to keep 'em out of the computer. network admin should be able to get past any basic security measures you set up.

[Jessi]

It's your works computer, so there is nothing you can do. It still sucks that it happens. But, since you are employed by them.. I'm sure some where in their handbook it states that they have a right to do it upon suspision (sp?).

Now, if it was your home computer/desk.. I'd be pissed.

[OptionZero]

when you pay them, you can bitch about them going through your stuff.

when you're using THEIR stuff (cuz you sure didn't pay for that comp), then you follow their rules.

[infinitexsound]

spill ur guts what did u do?

[rancid240]

Stop looking at porn on your work computer and writing memoirs of the things you do on the weekends?

Way to lead by example. Post something useful next time.

I know the computers are the companies property :blah: and I didnt sign any sort of "Privacy Policy" like that. Hell I barely signed a w-2 three weeks into the job.

I am surprised however that none of you find it the least bit disrespectful. I am not a boss now but if I were and strongly suspected someone of doing something against policy, I would ask them about it outright rather then going through their shit behind their back.

[aznpoopy]

maybe people are nicer out there.

out here by NYC, they wouldn't even log on in person... they'd just go through your computer through the network without you ever knowing it.

[420sx]

it is disrespectful, yes.

BUT

the law is on THEIR side. they can inspect anything within their property. and it all qualifies under the "suspision" clase.

Theres absolutely nothing you can do about it. unless the guy sexually harassed you.

[S14DB]

There is no Privacy at work. You have rights at home cause you own/rent(pay for) the place. The company owns your desk, computer, office. They have the rights at work.

You do have harassment rights. If their search was public in front of your coworkers to make an example or shook your desk down you may be able to do something about it.

I would talk to your boss in person. Say that you are concerned that someone has been tampering with your system/office and are concerned with the security of the company. If he plays stupid I would quit. If he comes off like you did something wrong. Did you? If not start a fire kit of records of what has happened to protect yourself if something goes wrong.

He should have done his own rummaging instead of getting someone else to do it. I would keep my eye on the rummager and buddy up with your boss.

[Dousan_PG]

depends on the compnay
mine specifically says that my things can be searched at anytime, no matter what.
because they own everything

you shouldn't do stupdi shit at work anyways, save it for home. leave your guns knives and porn at home
work is for work. just work and go home.

[chlatboy]

True, they can search "their" computer whenever they want. Yes it is disrespectful. Talk to your boss bout it if you want but i doubt it wil do anything. They may have a reason whey they are searching your area and may not want to tell you. its up to them.

[TheSnail]

Yeeaaahhh.... Looks like we will be needing the extra space, so if you can just move your stuff to the basement, that would be grrr.A.t...

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/stories/2004/oct/1/01_officespace_10-01-2004_0V2MJN1.jpg

Why dont you look through that guys desk. See how he likes it. Favor for a favor. Dont let them take advantage, or your stapler might be missing one day.

[KA24DESOneThree]

Is it more disrespectful to have your computer searched without your permission or to waste the company's time on frivolous websites and e-mails?

I am not accusing you of the latter, just trying to show you from the company's perspective. Any employee's waste of time is a waste of productivity and money to them.

[SilviaNinja240]

I have to agree. Personal use of the computer can wait till you get off work, unless its direly urgent. At my old company people's computer's were rountinely monitored for security reasons. I've heard soooo many X-rated stories from the emails the IT guys have read by monitoring other peoples computers.

[rancid240]

Its a smaller company...weve never signed, or been notified of such a "search without discrepancy" policy. Me and the coworker have thought about shaking down the guys desk also. I like that idea. Either way the guy who shook down my shit isnt an owner or even my boss. And the IT guy is totally chill with us. If you call using the computer to browse zilvia, check email etc wrong, then yes I am guilty. I am not alone though, everyone freely browses and it is well known that they do. I think my coworker and I are getting singled out because we are new here.

I'm kind of over it however, I am just going to wait to catch him in action jackson to give him a piece of my mind. For now though locking the screensaver will keep him out 100%.

[MakotoS13]

in that case:

Different Ways to Lock Windows XP
by Vic Ferri


These methods apply to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Pro.

There are several ways to lock your Windows XP computer, but all of them use the same command line. The method you choose is a matter of personal preference.
via the keyboard
The easiest way to lock Windows XP is by simply pressing the Windows logo key and the letter L (for Lock) on a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Window key. Doing so will pop up the Unlock Computer Password box.


via a Shortcut.
If you don't have a keyboard with a Window key or simply don't like the keyboard method, then here's how you can make a desktop shortcut to lock your computer.

Right click an empty area of your desktop, choose New/Shortcut and enter this line as the command line:

rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Click Next. Name the shortcut whatever you prefer and click Finish. That's it.

If you'd like to change the icon, just right click the shortcut and go to Properties/Shortcut/Change Icon.


via the command line
The above command line can also be used at a DOS prompt to lock your computer. One simple way you can do it would be by clicking Start/Run, typing CMD and then entering the command and pressing Enter.


via a bat file
This is similar to a Windows shortcut method. But it's a DOS version. If you've never created a bat (batch) file, but would like to try this method, simply open a new text file (such as with Notepad) and type the following commands:

@echo off
rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation
cls

Save the file with a .bat extension, such as Lock.bat, and you're done. Double click to make the file run.

Those are the basic methods to lock XP, but there are some other relating factors of which you should be aware.

Password
It should go without saying that if you don't use a password to log on to your computer, then anyone can access your computer and unlock it. If you want to use the lock feature, then set a password by going to User Accounts in the Control Panel and then click Create Password.

Fast User Switching
Fast User Switching allows multiple login sessions at the same time. Whether you have this feature enabled or disabled will make a big difference in how your locked computer can be accessed and on the behavior of your shortcuts when executed.

If enabled, executing any of the above locking methods will bring up the Welcome screen and other users will be able to log on to the computer, as is the norm for Fast User Switching. So, you really don't get much security at all this way, if your intention is to lock your machine. With Fast User Switching, only your profile is locked, not the ability for other users to log into your system. Any other user can just log on to your computer and use it.

If Fast User Switching is disabled, you will have to enter a password to unlock the computer. Double clicking your shortcut will bring up the Unlock Computer password dialog box. This is the same lock method that Windows NT and 2000 uses.

If you're not sure whether or not you have Fast User Switching enabled or disabled, go to User Accounts in the Control Panel and click the Change the way users log on or off tab. There you will see your status for Fast User Switching.

Welcome Screen
Whether the Welcome screen is enabled or disabled also has an effect on the way your computer can be locked.

If the Welcome screen is enabled, you can also lock your computer in Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) by clicking the Lock Computer option in the Shutdown menu list. This option will only appear if the Welcome screen is enabled—without Fast User Switching being enabled.

Note! In order to use Fast User Switching, the Welcome screen must be enabled. You cannot select Fast User Switching if the Welcome screen option is unchecked.

If the Welcome screen is disabled, you can lock the computer by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then clicking the Lock Computer tab in the Windows Security dialog box that comes up.

For more information on Windows security, check out my ABC article, "Windows File and Folder Security"
http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc2/v14/vic14.htm

[Dousan_PG]

makokto doing that in some jobs would mean dismisal. many larger companies ...dont mess with their computers or you will be fired. its in many companies 'business conduct' things. and yes, you will get fired. ive seen it first hand.

larger companise are much more strict then most smaller and family operated ones. make sure you know what you sing at work and what a compaies policy is. a 'i didnt know' usually wont save your job. be smart.

[Alias]

maybe people are nicer out there.

out here by NYC, they wouldn't even log on in person... they'd just go through your computer through the network without you ever knowing it.

Thats what my work does. They own my equipment, and I only use it for work. I can't blame them if I am caught screwing off.

[ZK]

Makoto, that Windows lock will do nothing for someone who has access to the computer network. It might not allow a coworker to access your computer but it won't lock out a manager or IT guy with the access keys.

Yes, it sucks that they can monitor everything you do but they pay you and its their property. I know I wouldn't want to pay someone to sit on their ass, browse the web all day and do nothing.

[bp057]

Even when your machine is locked there is a hidden share available to pretty much anyone on the network. \\pcname\c$ voila, I see all your files. No reason to actually have to sit at your machine.

[Phlip]

Way to lead by example. Post something useful next time.

I know the computers are the companies property :blah: and I didnt sign any sort of "Privacy Policy" like that. Hell I barely signed a w-2 three weeks into the job.

I am surprised however that none of you find it the least bit disrespectful. I am not a boss now but if I were and strongly suspected someone of doing something against policy, I would ask them about it outright rather then going through their shit behind their back.
Excuse me, I was not aware that being a moderator automatically received me of my sense of humor, we will try this this way:
when my family and friends sit down at my computer, they concede under the fact that I am purely capable and quite likely to beat hell out of them to the understanding that they will not be viewing questionable materials in the presence of the children, they will not be saving any pornography and might die if they put my 63 GB of music in jeopardy, simple as that. In order to apply this to an analogy that applies to my work life, when I log into ANY computer that has access to ANY of the systems that Cingular Wireless has made available to me, I MUST click through a disclaimer that I agree to be monitored and that at any time, any number of people might be monitoring what I am doing, even long after the fact.
What I DO NOT concede to, on the other hand, is that Cingular can look through my HOME computer and personal belongings, so long as those belongings are on MY property, meaning that my supervisor will NEVER look through the computer I type this from, having left work 4 hours and 44 minutes ago. The fact, as has been stated, is that your work computer is not your computer, and in such enjoys only the privacy that any individual might allow any individual to use their computer, coupled with the heightened security that one might use when that very computer is doing what they do to pay the bills.
To close things, they pay you to use THEIR computer and desk and can exhibit any amount of control over it that they choose, get over it, and live with it.