commonman

I work for a large organization and my work involves the use of both a desktop and laptop computer.

Every so often, we get new editions, usually Dells.

We recently received new Dell laptops. These laptops have DVD drives and pre-loaded software to play DVDs. Recently, I watched a few DVDs that, though I am not ashamed of, I would not want my employer knowing about.

My question is this: is it possible or probable that my employer has installed some sort of software that can record the name or other data about the DVDs I watch on this laptop?

In my more paranoid states I am thinking that it's all a set up. Give the employees these great new DVD capable laptops, let them keep them for a while, and then take them back and download the record of the DVDs they have watched and the time of day they watched them. If they were inappropriate DVDs watched during work hours, then nail them!

Note, since watching these DVDs, I have not connected the laptop into the company's net. I know that there are people out there in our organization whose job it is to monitor our internet use and, of course they can easily do this since we are on a company network and a T1 line. Because of this, I have a separate, wireless notebook computer I use for all personal internet use (when at work).

Aem

Firstly Stop watching dvds like enemy of the state. I have never heard of a company going to such lengths to discipline its staff. Read your terms and conditions of employment it will explain how they can access your e-mails, private files etc,if you really are content with your irrational fear, (think of the logistics behind them setting all this up! All the cost when they could just change your job title and make the new position redundant).
Try watching a comedy, (don't watch Falling Down)

commonman

I have read the terms and conditions and the policy is very strict. No use of company equipment for anything but official purposes. In addition, they make a point of saying, any thing you do on one of the company computers is NOT PRIVATE. No privacy exists when it comes to computers in our organization.

However, the point you make is well taken: to institute and implement such a trap would take some serious effort. And they have better things to do, bigger fish to fry.

What I'm really wondering is if there is a search I could do of the laptop that would give me any indication that such a record of my DVD activity exists?

If so, how do I execute such a search?

voyagerfan99

I don't think they would monitor DVD activity.

If you were paranoid about it to begin with, then why did you watch it?

commonman

Thanks for your responses but I'm not looking for moral advice or psychological counseling.

What I'm looking for is advice on how to look for software that is on the computer that would record the DVDs I watch.

I really don't want to put any additional sofware on the laptop or take uninstall any software.

We are permitted to use our laptops for personal use - as long as it's on our own time and does not involve illegal or subversive activity, so watching a movie like "National Velvet" or "The Birds" would be fine. I just want to know if they are keeping track.

voyagerfan99

Like I said, I doubt it.

commonman

People say they doubt that my employer is tracking my use of the DVD player in my laptop. However, this does not really help me.

What I need to know is how I can scan the computer to detect any such software or records. I did do a simple search using the movie names. Nothing much came up.

What I need to know is if there is any better scan that I can do.

commonman

I guess no one has any suggestions or ideas for detecting any record kept on the hard drive of DVDs which were watched and/or when they were watched.

Remember, i don't want to add or subtract anything from the computer.

commonman

Well, I just got word from the Tech guy that when we plug our laptops into the network to "check in" they (meaning the computer nazis) will upload files that contain files that have records of what DVDs we watched and when.

So lets approach this another way. What is available out there to allow management to spy on the employees in this way? Tivoli for one.

voyagerfan99

Like we've said, there probably isn't anything.

Stop worrying.

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