EH-Net

Hi everyone,
here is the situation: in my workplace we have a LAN and usually i'd disconnect my desktop and connect the LAN to my private laptop to get more speed using the advantage of having a real IP, now the IT guy disabled all the existing real IPs and if i plug my laptop i'll work in a specific range with low speed deticated for the free guests and he is asking us -ones with laptops- to give him our MAC or physical address in order to put us in a zone which is dedicated to managers with relatively high speed connection......now my questions:
1- Can he do this?
2- Can he monitor our uploads and downloads?
3- Can he control our laptops -remotely-?

If you have more ideas please feel free to elaborate ....

Thanks in advance.. ???

All good questions to ask him directly... and also to check the company policies for.

BillV

1. Yes. But it seems as though he is trying to help you get what you want.
2. Regardless of whether you are on his new zone for managers, old zone for guests, wired or wireless, all traffic can be monitored. Since all Internet traffic also goes through your ISP, they also can monitor everything you do. Always keep in mind that someone may be watching.
3. Yes if given permission. Is your laptop part of a domain where the policies are forced upon you or are all machines stand-alone? If the latter, simply disable remote connections. Instructions vary depending on the OS.

Elaborate... hmmmmmm...

Here's a big question. If by private laptop you mean one that you purchased with your own money and it is completely owned by you, is it allowed by your companies policy to allow you to have it on the company network doing non-work related activities? Is that why you don't want him to monitor your traffic?

Just something to think about.

Don

I agree with the editor.  Along with some additions.  Usually a company will not allow a personal computer on the network.  and when you do you would lose all  (or most) privacy.  this is normally a huge security risk for the the company.  Even if you are vlan'ed to a seperate segment it is a threat.  What if you are not going through a web filter and accidentally  (or on purpose) go to a porn site.  The company can get in trouble if someone walks by and complains.  and you could be fired.  There are so many issues technically and policy based that lend to the IT needing a certain amount of control. 

so yes it can be monitored if they want.
Cant really control your laptops remotley.  But if they are monitoring they can shut down your acecss if a problem arises.

Thanks DON for your reply
The answer to your question below, Yes executive level is allowed to use their private laptop to do work-related and non-related as well...
I just hate to be monitored by someone specially this is my private laptop.

Mshamy,

I think you've answered your own question there. Which is why I leave all my personal surfing to using both my personal equipment and personal network feed. (Although I work for my ISP so I've even got issues there.....)

RR