Corporate Laptop Webcam Snoop

Unacceptable on 19/05/2021 - 15:54
Last edited 19/05/2021 - 15:56

Hi all

I recently have my company laptop replaced with a new one and for some reason, I have a funny feeling that someone from the company can watch me through the small webcam hole on the top of laptop.
I used to put a sticker on the webcam on my previous laptop so I didn't need to worry about it, but this new laptop comes with a new fancy features like face ID log on (that I don't need to type company log on and password every time I am off to toilet) and a few other security software the company has put installed for user control.

Does anyone know if it is possible (or legal) for company to snoop employees' laptop without having our consent?

Computing

Comments

  • No Username on 19/05/2021 - 15:58
    +2

    What laptop is it? Depending on the model you can block the webcam as windows hello uses the IR camera. Also if an app accesses your webcam a light would appear.

    • Hybroid on 19/05/2021 - 16:52
      +14

      Also if an app accesses your webcam a light would appear.

      100% NOT always the case. There are many many instances where this is not the case and plenty software that can bypass it. Please don't trust this.

  • Xistn on 19/05/2021 - 15:59
    +4

    Stop working Naked, problem solved.

    • happydude on 19/05/2021 - 16:00
      +42

      Or start working naked, problem solved?

      • spunkyfondue on 21/05/2021 - 14:10

        always stay naked, no problems at all?

  • happydude on 19/05/2021 - 15:59
    +2

    for some reason

    Like an actual reason or crazy paranoia?

    • snooksy on 20/05/2021 - 07:55

      It seems not worth worrying about. I highly doubt your company, unless it’s ASIO would bother. Most people seem very paranoid about this. Good staff would soon leave if your company was doing such a thing and really it’s more effort than it’s worth.

    • AustriaBargain on 20/05/2021 - 08:49

      Even Zuckerberg puts tape over his webcam.

  • toniyellow on 19/05/2021 - 16:02
    +15

    buy a webcam shutter and use it instead of a sticker. you can open it to use faceID, close it otherwise
    https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p238005…

    paying someone to sit there and watch you all doesn't sound like a great use of resources, but companies have made dumber decisions.

  • mini2 on 19/05/2021 - 16:04

    Hello for business?

    There's all sorts of agents under many guises these days snooping all sorts of info outta your session - some of them won't even appear in Programs and Features, some sold themselves as real estate utilisation but it tracks when you're logged on/being active. Just put a sticker on the webcam and continue to logon via good old password, problem solved.

    If you don't want your privacy to be invaded, BYOD/network.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 19/05/2021 - 16:05

    Yes, it is possible for your company to log audio and video. Your best bet is to buy a webcam shutter as suggested above.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 19/05/2021 - 16:11

    The small pinhole is the infrared, it’s only the one in the middle that’s a traditional camera I’m pretty sure.

  • Unacceptable on 19/05/2021 - 16:13

    I was very surprised to find out my new laptop already had all my files transferred from the old laptop (cloud servers?) not even before I handed out to IT team. That means technically anyone in IT team can see whatever files I have on my laptop?
    I recently downloaded my payslip on to the laptop to apply for qantas credit card, and it’s not only this payslip but heaps of other personal stuff that I have saved on the device that be potentially seen?

    • kerfuffle on 19/05/2021 - 16:16
      +29

      Then don't use your work laptop for personal stuff; simple. For what it's worth, my work's corporate policy doesn't allow fingerprint login or Windows Hello. It also comes with a webcam shutter (Lenovo ThinkPad T14s).

    • GG57 on 19/05/2021 - 16:18
      +30

      It is your employer's laptop; not yours.
      Don't put personal stuff on it; don't use it for personal reasons (like credit card applications).

    • MS Paint on 19/05/2021 - 16:19
      +13

      Step 1. Remove tin foil hat
      Step 2. See step 1

      The laptop belongs to your employer. They can monitor whatever they like. My employer makes it clear that they log keystrokes on work issued computers. It's a fact of life my friend.

    • Clear on 19/05/2021 - 16:23
      +1

      I can access files on my client's PC without even having to "remote" into their session. They'd have no way of knowing I'm doing stuff in the background.

      • BuyoTheCat on 19/05/2021 - 21:47
        +1

        that is because you are a shiba inu. anyone would let you into their session

    • Cheaplikethebird on 19/05/2021 - 16:37
      +7

      Sounds like they're using roaming profiles and folder redirection so your windows profile along with documents, downloads, desktop, etc folders are mirrored on the network file share.

      Only a network admin will be to access to these files, not really worth worrying about. Even if we did snoop through your files (we have better things to do) there'd be so much content to go through it'd probably be years before we come across your nudes.

      • Unacceptable on 19/05/2021 - 16:47
        +1

        Yes, mirroring sounds like the right term and network admin was the one who contacted me regarding the new laptop replacement.

        And it reminded me that your profile picture resembles the network admin so I hope you are the same person that I dealt with at work so I can have a peace of mind. 👍

        • Cheaplikethebird on 19/05/2021 - 17:14

          Lol we are doing a laptop rollout currently.

      • John Kimble on 20/05/2021 - 10:22
        +1

        there'd be so much content to go through it'd probably be years before we come across your nudes.

        So you're saying I should change my folder name to something other than "nudes"? 🤔

        • Cheaplikethebird on 20/05/2021 - 10:28
          +1

          No because then I'll need to create a new shortcut on my desktop 😉

          BTW I preferred the trim over the full hairless look.

    • snooksy on 20/05/2021 - 07:56

      You should be aware of which files are being synced and stored. Use this laptop for work and use a separate computer for personal stuff. Again your company would have to really be over the top to spy on employees.

    • veej on 20/05/2021 - 16:38

      You should always assume IT can see your files. You're using their equipment so never save anything to your laptop you aren't worried about anyone else potentially seeing. They won't be poking around for no reason in them but if they see something you don' t want them to see that's your own fault for treating your work equipment like your personal PC.

  • dmbminaret on 19/05/2021 - 16:24
    -2

    You have a tough choice to make:
    To webcam or not to webcam.

  • orangetrain on 19/05/2021 - 17:50

    Does anyone know if it is possible (or legal) for company to snoop employees' laptop without having our consent?

    You likely consented somewhere else. Never do any personal stuff on company property unless you want them to know.

  • plmko on 19/05/2021 - 18:11

    You'll know if they're snooping on you when you start getting those Emails explaining what "R.A.T" is.

  • hasher22 on 19/05/2021 - 18:29
    +1

    Read this: https://www.worktime.com/12-most-asked-questions-on-australi…

    Long story short: Yes but they have to give you written consent in advance.

    but if they're spying on you and there's nothing in the company policy that work devices can be tracked, even key logging…. then its illegal.

  • dtxau on 19/05/2021 - 19:09
    +5

    Work Laptop/Device = Work related stuff only
    Personal Laptop/Device = Everything else not work related.

    Practice this habit and you should be good. Even if they are snooping.

    Don't be like a guy at our work who got caught with child pornography (as IT was snooping around) and got sacked and charged.

    Or the mum who stored all of her baby pictures only to lose it when a system update corrupted her OS!

    Don't be that person. Work Laptop = Work related stuff only.

  • Ryanek on 19/05/2021 - 19:44
    +1

    You might even want to check your Network privilege's. Your work PC is connected to your home network, so there's still potential to access your personal computers.

  • SF3 on 19/05/2021 - 19:52

    Is your laptop a Surface Pro? I have noticed the "red" light stays on after recognise your face after successfully logon into Windows.

  • onetwothreefour on 20/05/2021 - 06:44

    I just hope my employer is not monitoring my ozbargain comments…sorry boss!

  • Bob Svargis on 20/05/2021 - 08:07
    +2

    Any computer on an Active Directory domain can have its local drive scanned or copied. Of course administrators can access the files on your local drive. I'm not sure why this would even be a question because they have the right to do this.

    It's their equipment so don't store personal stuff on it. They can wipe it whenever they want or redistribute the hardware to someone else.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2021 - 10:45
    +1

    Just buy a few webcam sliders for your laptop so you can still use face login by can't be spied on: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/164541884132?hash=item264f75e6e4…

    Yes workplace monitoring is legal. In some states like ACT and NSW you need to be notified, but this is usually done in work start papers no one reads.

    "The NSW Act contains similar restrictions to those under the ACT Act. Surveillance devices must not be used in a workplace without sufficient notice being provided to employees, must not be used in a change room, toilet, or shower facility, and must not be used to conduct surveillance of the employee outside work."
    https://www.alrc.gov.au/publication/serious-invasions-of-pri….

  • OzHunterNSW on 21/05/2021 - 12:12

    Blue tak… take off to scan face… put back on after

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