This topic is a corollary to an email that I sent to FC on another thread.
I am a Computer Systems Security Consultant with 20+ years of computer experience and my own Company - you can take this advice to the BANK. Avoid ending up on the front page of the local section of the newspaper.
1 - Do not under any conditions use your Work, Business, Government, School, or College computer for any purpose other than work.
Do not use any computer which is logged through your School, College, or University network - for example in a dorm room or Library.
Do not use a computer at a public access site like a public Library or community room. The State and Federal Governments have very strict rules, and some local libraries - particularly in the South have even more stringent rules regarding use. Many of these computers are now on closed circuit TV, as well as having the sites you visit pop up on the desk monitors screen - they are looking for inappropriate use - and the Federal Government is providing funds for libraries to upgrade their monitoring of these systems. It seems to be a priority with the Bush Administration.
The Federal Courts have upheld that the desktop computer, all of its data, and all communications to and from it are the exclusive property of your employer, or the owner of the systems.
Almost all employers of any kind now have a computer user policy which you probably signed and ignored. It details exactly what the employer’s rights are (many), and your limits (many).
MANY people in all walks of life get fired each year for the abuse of these systems - whether or not what they did was actually illegal! I deal with people every year who are suprised that their boss is reading their emails, or watching their screen while they are supposed to be working.
2 - EMAIL ACCOUNTS - Do not use your work account for any purpose but work. Do not rely on a 'hotmail' account to shield your identity. Any decent Sys Admin with an A+ Certificate can trace the system traffic on a network... If they are asked by administration or management to monitor a group of computers for unauthorized use, then they can quickly find out what you have been up to.
Last year I was asked to trace some hatemail that had been mailed to all of the members of a certain organization - the senders had gotten a hold of their national mailing list - when the recipient opened the innocuous message advertising gifts - it linked them to an neo Nazi hate sight.
I managed to trace the sender through a dozen hotmail accounts to a website at a Southern University. Within 8 hours I was speaking to the head of the Computing Services Department at the University, and eventually the Dean. The student website was immediately taken down, and the student faced disciplinary procedures - he was later expelled.
I have OFTEN tracked business environment systems so that company administrators could have a pretext for firing someone.
Don't let yourself be caught.
3 - Do not under any conditions use any form of Internet Chat or Messaging services at your place of employment or education - same rules as above.
4 - Do not view, receive, link to, or download pornography - same rules as above.
5 - Go out and buy a personal computer of your own, then get a DSL or Cable connection to the internet - it will be your private account, and almost all major ISP's will require a law enforcement agency to come up with a court order before invading your privacy.
6 - Install Internet Security and Anti virus protection software - including a Software Firewall at minimum. Keep them up to date.
Last year I dealt with a Teacher who was shocked to find out her students had hacked into her school computer not only to get the Test's she stored there, but to read her personal email.
There are MANY viruses out there that will copy all of your communications and send them to a remote hacker. Older versions of MS Windows are particularly vulnerable.
Follow these guidelines and you won't have to worry about losing your job or worse.
Rob
[ October 05, 2004, 11:13 PM: Message edited by: ITJock ]