Network At Work question

[ShockWave]

I sometimes unplug my work PC's ethernet cable at lunch and hook my iBook up to it to download music from Acquisition.

Was just wondering if there is anyway that the IT guy can trace what I'm downloading because I'm not supposed to use work systems for personal use?? Would the main network/server record all files downloaded and by what IP address on the network? Would he not be able to know because I'm downloading thru my mac and not my work PC??

Could they trace what webpages I've visited even though it's on my iBook and not the actual work PC???

Thanks in advance..


SW

 

[Queso]

These days normal DHCP behaviour registers your iBook's name in the DNS server. If he checks this and finds a host he does not recognise, he will investigate it, and if he knows his stuff he can resolve the IP address to an ARP address and trace that through the network back to your desk, so will know it's you. He can also monitor the firewall to see what the iBook's IP address is connecting to and over which TCP ports. Acquisition uses standard Gnutella ports, so he'll know your P2Ping.

My advice is stop what you are doing right now. He may have already noticed you and be busy collecting evidence to take to your senior manager. Most workplaces have a written IT use policy that you will have been shown when you joined the company. I can guarantee you are in breach of this if your company has one, and in most places that is a dismissable offence.

 

[ShockWave]

That's what I thought! Thanks!!

 

[SmurfBoxMasta]

Yep, you should dust off your resume and start looking for a new job, N O W!!!. 99.9999% of companies nowadays WILL fire people for this..... no ifs, ands or butts!!! Unless, of course, you can prove that d/ling music is part of your job description (doubtful)

And besides, do you REALLY think nobody noticed that you are/were carrying a Mac into the office ?????

 

[Queso]

Yep, you should dust off your resume and start looking for a new job, N O W!!!.

No need for him to panic just yet. The chance of being caught relies completely on how competent the IT staff are, and considering IT where he works left P2P TCP ports open on the firewall, chances are they aren't that good at monitoring either.

Still, you don't want to tempt fate.

 

[ShockWave]

The "IT Staff" consists of one guy and I don't work for some big blue chip organisation, it's a family run company..

I've been downloading music on my lunchtimes for at least a month, and I do it in the background while I play Football Manager 2006.. it's during my lunch (which I don't get paid for) and it's not affecting my work so I don't think it should be an issue..

Thanks for the replies anyway..


SW

 

[Queso]

Still, they won't see it that way if they catch you. Remember that Windows users just don't believe that Macs don't get viruses.

 

[dsnort]

The "IT Staff" consists of one guy and I don't work for some big blue chip organisation, it's a family run company..

I've been downloading music on my lunchtimes for at least a month, and I do it in the background while I play Football Manager 2006.. it's during my lunch (which I don't get paid for) and it's not affecting my work so I don't think it should be an issue..

Thanks for the replies anyway..


SW

Just a thought. If it is a family run business, why don't you ask your boss if he minds if do this on your lunch break? If it doesn't threaten network security and you're not taking paid time, he may not care. And there's something to be said for pre-emption.

 

[SmurfBoxMasta]

why don't you ask your boss if he minds if do this on your lunch break? If it doesn't threaten network security and you're not taking paid time, he may not care. And there's something to be said for pre-emption.

He should have asked for permission BEFORE doing it.
Asking permission to do something after already doing is not the way to conduct yourself in business. It's likely that your boss will look at it that way too, if he has any common sense at all.

The issue here is not security or paid time, it's using company resources & equipment for personal use ! Big company or small, this is a MAJOR violation of work ethics and he should be terminated immediately.......