Surfing at work

Bentez · **Surfing at work -** 10-01-2012, 13:41 | posts: 994 | Location: Southampton, UK

Those that have net access at work all do it on occasion, so I have a question..

What is the best way to stay under the radar when doing a bit of work surfing?

I use IE8 for work and Firefox 15 in private mode for reading G3D

Would using a different browser/plugin or even a proxy be better or is big brother always going to be able to catch me out?

FYI for anyone looking to call me out as a slacker I get my work done, I just would like some peace of mind if I suddenly need to google song lyrics or something!

Finchwizard

You do realize it doesn't matter what browser you use they'll see your usage history.

Proxies I manage at work will even decrypt HTTPS and inspect it, so don't think you can just use a secure site to bypass either.

Only you can know if you're doing it too much.

nhlkoho · 10-01-2012, 13:51 | posts: 3,939 | Location: Washington DC

If you're that worried about being caught then don't surf

Mikedogg · 10-01-2012, 13:52 | posts: 2,872 | Location: The Freak Show - Earth.

Word of advice. DON'T!

Bentez · 10-01-2012, 13:53 | posts: 994 | Location: Southampton, UK

Okay kind of figured this dream was doomed to fail, thanks for clarifying finch and others

AndreasGuido · 10-01-2012, 14:01 | posts: 2,331 | Location: Bristol, UK

If you got work done, i say surf as much as you want

Black_ice_Spain · 10-01-2012, 14:02 | posts: 4,164 | Location: Spain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentez

Those that have net access at work all do it on occasion, so I have a question..

What is the best way to stay under the radar when doing a bit of work surfing?

I use IE8 for work and Firefox 15 in private mode for reading G3D

Would using a different browser/plugin or even a proxy be better or is big brother always going to be able to catch me out?

FYI for anyone looking to call me out as a slacker I get my work done, I just would like some peace of mind if I suddenly need to google song lyrics or something!

Turn on your home PC and setup an VPN, they'll only see communications to your PC

. Or surf via remote desktop if your upload speed is fast in your home PC (probably easier, altho a little less comfortable).

The way data flows is is Work --> Your PC --> Open world --> Your PC --> Work, so work can only see encrypted data going to "Your PC".

In case of remote desktop, data flows Work --> Your PC (here you do everything) --> Work (you only see YOUR PC desktop screen, but need better upload speed, kinda like a low-fps streaming).

I never used it tho, they dont check or say nothing on my company if you get the work done (if you dont, it doesnt matter why, i guess you'll be fired someday).

Private mode does nothing unless they spy your files, but well, is not bad either.

I dont think using TOR and proxies would help you, someone communicating with some foreing unkown IP looks suspicious, but communicating with your house?, in case they ask (doubt it), you can simply tell you were monitoring some crap

kanej2007 · 10-01-2012, 14:09 | posts: 5,776 | Location: Dubai, UAE / London, UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndreasGuido

If you got work done, i say surf as much as you want

This! I'm on Guru3d 80% of the time whilst at work since it's mostly quiet...

It's not like I'm gonna get fired for browsing a forum!

H83 · 10-01-2012, 14:40 | posts: 1,044 | Location: Mars

I don´t think you can escape the radar of a company when you´re surfing on the web using thier pc´s.
The definitions set by the IT adms make it very difficult to escape their radar and you can´t change some key definitions on the pc to escape surveillance because you need adm access to the pc you´re using.

My advice, make sure you have the work done and then just surf all you want until someone warns you about spending too much time on the web.

That´s what i do at least, i finish all the job i have to do and then surf the web to spend my spare time unless i have a co worker watching over my back...
I´ve already spent several days just surfing the web the entire day waiting for the time to get out and i even listened music online.
There´s nothing better than having a nice hardware review to spend some time online.

Don´t forget, do it at your own risk!

Sash · 10-01-2012, 14:47 | posts: 7,068

Well since i am the IT manager of the company i work at (also it's my dad's so i don't really have a problem)

i cannot talk about me, but I can advise the rest of you:

If you work at a company with that tight of a IT (for ex in the company i work for, i let anyone surf any website they want) and your job position offers you a computer with an internet connection,then surely you can afford some sort of tablet or phone that you can get a data plan for, and then you can surf whatever you want, i mean if you work at a desktop, you have a decent salary no?

IPlayNaked · 10-01-2012, 14:50 | posts: 6,559

People are being too narrow-sighted about this.

The answer obviously depends on your company. Not every company is monitoring/can monitor/knows what monitoring is, your usage. Some will be more interested than others. Some will care if they catch you, some won't.

At my job, we're a pretty large trucking company, and no one is monitored for that kind of traffic. If, for whatever reason, you're caught doing it, you would simply be told not to. There's no real punishment for it, and most people go about their day.

Hell, the company even offers wifi to employees for their phones to keep the network less congested.

Which I think is a healthy way of doing it. Lock down all you want, people are going to spend moments browsing. And there's nothing wrong with that. For some people, it relieves stress, and that's always a good thing to have in the office.

Others will use it for music or radio shows, and whatever, you know, as long as the people are working, the business is moving, live and let live.

H83 · 10-01-2012, 14:54 | posts: 1,044 | Location: Mars

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sash

If you work at a company with that tight of a IT (for ex in the company i work for, i let anyone surf any website they want) and your job position offers you a computer with an internet connection,then surely you can afford some sort of tablet or phone that you can get a data plan for, and then you can surf whatever you want, i mean if you work at a desktop, you have a decent salary no?

If you live in Portugal, working at a desktop doesn´t mean you get a decent salary...

Actually if you live in Portugal, the chances of getting a decent salary nowadays are very slim... That´s if you can actually get a job!...

Anarion · 10-01-2012, 15:15 | posts: 9,280 | Location: Finland

I use my phone bwahahahaaaaa!

INSTG8R · 10-01-2012, 15:17 | posts: 1,188 | Location: Lost in Norway

Simple answer at least in my mind. Use your phone. Can't tell me you don't have a modern smart phone with a browser in it. Still waits for the Guru3D app...Only forum I frequent I actually have to use my phone browser to view. Others either have an App or I it's on Tap-a-talk.

Bentez · 10-01-2012, 15:37 | posts: 994 | Location: Southampton, UK

Don't get me started on my work and mobile phones, that would be me having a "catch up" with my manager if I was just at my desk playing with my phone for long periods. My company is pretty cool about browsing its just I have a manager who is incompetent and can't see the logic of 5 minutes away from your work can recharge wavering spirits. I will have to look into that VPN suggestion.

Dillinger · 10-01-2012, 16:05 | posts: 283

They're monitoring you, no doubt about it.

If my ****ty high school was capable of obtaining a program that allowed teachers to monitor other computers I'm certain your job has something similar.

The one we had broadcasted everything going on like a surveillance camera so trying to use a different web browser wouldn't do any help.

If they hadn't confronted you it's because they're waiting to see what you're going to do next (porn/fraud/sending indecent messages) I doubt they'll fire you for something as petty as visiting a tech site on your lunch break...

zipper · 10-01-2012, 16:52 | posts: 471 | Location: finland

What about Okayfreedom? http://www.okayfreedom.com/

AndreasGuido · 10-01-2012, 17:03 | posts: 2,331 | Location: Bristol, UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanej2007

This! I'm on Guru3d 80% of the time whilst at work since it's mostly quiet...

It's not like I'm gonna get fired for browsing a forum!

Yea same here i wouldnt say i browse, i come here only here during work tbh. Well and catch up on sports news during my lunch! I can have a sneaky look around web for some tech news quickly. Takes your mind off. I do programming so you NEED some breaks. Just make sure you are up to date with your work and there wont be any problem.

The Michael · 10-01-2012, 17:59 | posts: 1,457

As long as i get my work done (no matter how and when),
i can do whatever i want at work, surfing included.

eclap · 10-01-2012, 22:31 | posts: 18,985 | Location: Hampshire UK

surf on your phone.

---TK--- · 10-01-2012, 23:12 | posts: 14,941 | Location: New Jersey, USA

I surf on my smart fone.

Sash · 10-01-2012, 23:21 | posts: 7,068

Quote:

Originally Posted by H83

If you live in Portugal, working at a desktop doesn´t mean you get a decent salary...

Actually if you live in Portugal, the chances of getting a decent salary nowadays are very slim... That´s if you can actually get a job!...

Hmm that is strange, i tough that the countries with euro have a better salary to expenses ratio than RO. Let's leave IT jobs out, which obviously pay well and people who work in that field are smart enough not to ask on guru3d if they can surf from work:

The lowest salary in EU in 2011 was 122:

OK with 122 euros a mouth that is the bare minimum, but also if you earn that much, your main concern is not whatever you can facebook from work, i do not think you even get a computer at work with that pay, so let's say in Portugal your example is 580 euros, that is the MINIMUM! i am sure that with 1000 euro salary you get in a position to ask yourself if you can facebook at work and if not, they you can get a really crap android phone, like galaxy mini, with a decent data plan from a phone company, hell they might even have an offer for cheap contracts with data plan and give you a smartphone, so i don't see how is that hard?

elkosith · *Last edited by elkosith; 10-02-2012 at 01:37.*

This is what I would do:
- Buy a 3G modem, it's very cheap nowadays
- Register to a mobile carrier for a cheap data plan
- Use my own connection if I want to surf

I bought my modem just $10 and paid $10 monthly for 3.5 Mbps and 7 GB quota

The VPN thing looks interesting though..

sava700 · 10-02-2012, 01:25 | posts: 4,837 | Location: In a game world

use a laptop and tether from phone

Bentez · 10-02-2012, 08:38 | posts: 994 | Location: Southampton, UK

Phone is not the answer as that would obliviously highlight the fact I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing! Might as well bring in my rig and do a bit of gaming at whilst I'm at it!!

I like the sound of using a different connection, if I plug in a wireless dongle and connect to my 3G network will that mean they can't monitor my traffic?