Is there a program that detects surveillance of your work computer and lets you know if the "boss" is watching

Question

Just looking for something that pops up or warns that me that somebody is viewing my movement or screen.
Ex: they see what I'm typing now.

Keith: I'm saying this nicely, since I'm sure that you weren't being inflammatory when you answered for some free points. It's not my boss that I'm worried about. It's the pr1ck in tech that just feels like he wants to exhibit control over everyone by watching over them like God.

Answer 1

I work in network operations and security, and it is extremely unlikely that anyone would be doing this.

First of all, software for this is mostly underdeveloped and requires it to be installed on each machine (if your network is not running SMS or WSUS, unless it was initially given to you with this software on it, you are safe) - you can check your processes running (ctrl-alt-del) and look for any suspicious looking processes on there.

Generally, we only monitor people that have shady practices, such as downloading large files from unknown/uncommon ips or large quantities of large email attachments.

It simply is not efficient whatsoever to log on to a box and monitor what someone is doing - requires to much time and 'luck' to catch someone doing something. Network security is largely a passive act - reacting after thigns have been done. Just think about it, it is much easier to catch something that has been done as opposed to as it happens... your company likely has more than 1 or 2 employees, and it takes them to pay an employee to monitor another employee.

The other (extremely slight) possibility is a keylogger that logs each and every keystroke. Again, very unlikely as it would take a magnifying glass and a ridiculous amount of time to even consider looking through all of that.

Most likely you are being paranoid and do not need to worry unless you are conducting higher-bandwidth activity (if that is the case, just stop :) )

Remember, email IS easily searchable, your info is kept on the mail relays for however long you company wants to. Other than that you are relatively safe. Just remember, no one comes looking unless you give them a reason.

Answer 2

No.

Your traffic can be sniffed en route w/o leaving ay trace.

It's a bit like knowing if a piece of paper has been / will be photocopied by anybody or not, when it's not in your hands. There's no way.

OTOH, plenty of ways of hiding/encryptng your traffic - but the hiding is itself detectable and not easy.

Only possible software exception is steganography, but it's a very incomplete exception.

There is a hardware technology that works very well at detecting any sniffing enroute: quantum encryption over a fiber optic or line-of-sight link.

But I think it's unconceivable to get your own, private QE link in a corporate setting: you'd have to get your own QE laser hookup on a fiber or straight out the window, and in any case to another site you control or trust.

Answer 3

usually on most programs esp the ones we have at my job inthe lower right hand corner where the time is there is a symbol that pops up when they turn on thier program to move and watch the screen. With this program they can also move and work off of your screen like when you call IT with a comp issue.

At least thats how it is at my job. Im sure there are programs out there that let you go completely incognito. OR they record your actions throughout the day and then spit out a report that someone may or maynot check.

Answer 4

Below is a good website that will give you information on the subject and ideas about how to go about this. Unfortunately in most job settings, your rights on the computer will either not allow you to use the programs available, will notify the administrator that you have them, or will actually not be allowed for your use since it will actually be called "sniffing" and using ethereal along with other hacking and sniffing devices could be seen as you spying on others if you get caught and will be grounds for termination based on your company's privacy act.

It is a good idea not to do it I would say but look at the sight for information and move forward if you think you are safe and/or there is not a dedicated IT person at your job because believe me, we know and actively watch for this. :|



http://www.pcquest.com/content/topstories/spy/103050501.asp

Answer 5

Your activities can be monitored in a variety of ways, the least of which is from software installed on your computer.

Rather than worrying about knowing if you are being monitored at work, (or at home for that matter),
when using your company computer, use it according to company policy, and when using your home computer, use it legally.

There are watch dog groups out there who look for the illegal stuff too.

Answer 6

I would see if any wierd programs were installed by gong to add remove programs.

I would check the task manager and to see what services are running.

If you see VNC, REALVNC, Dameware running be alert these can be used to watch you.

You way also want to do a netstat -a at the command line to see if any ports are listening. Look for a local address or your bosses ip or host name.

to block you can enable the windows firewall without any exclusions. this will block a lot.

Answer 7

To the best of my knowledge I do not believe there is anything that will detect someone watching, best you can do is be careful in what you do and maybe try and find out who would be watching and pass by them once in a while and look on their screen. But dont quote me on saying there isn't a program out there

Answer 8

Unfortunately, there is no such program.

At work, you are on the company's intranet, so they can monitor all of your activities without installing anything on your computer, so there would be nothing to detect.

There is no way that you will be able to know when they are watching; it is important to remeber that you are using THEIR computers, and legally, everyhting you do on them is therefore their property, and they can do with it as they please.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 9

Pretty much what everyone else said. What do you want to do when your boss isn't watching??? GROW UP! It's a work computer! You shouldn't be doing anything stupid at home or at work.

Answer 10

Even if there was, you would probably have to have administrator access on your network in order to install the program.....and your techie boss would notice the program there.
I guess you'll have to suffer like many other office employees who don't like the idea of having their privacy intruded upon.