A Layman's Network Security Question

tirtapar

Beta member
Messages
3
Location
USA
I work in a big company. We have a pretty good wireless network. There are two networks available for users: a password protected one with usernames assigned on and a guest network with a password every employee knows.

Now the question: I use google reader a lot. I receive some posts via reader which might be not appropriate for work environment. I use my cell phone to check my reader. Is there a way for the administrators to see my posts on my personal devices on the guest network?
 
nope. the antenna in your phone uses different technology than the wifi. Just be sure your phone cannot connect to wifi networks.
 
They can identify it if it's connected to their wifi. If you read inappropriate things just make sure you aren't using work wifi.
 
They can identify it if it's connected to their wifi. If you read inappropriate things just make sure you aren't using work wifi.

For the sake of my education, how can they? I know a little bit about networking so feel free to be technical about it.
 
If it's connected to their wifi network, you are visible on their network. Most businesses log their network traffic and if something that should be accessed is accessed, red flags go up.

If you're connected to your phone's mobile data and not wifi, then your work cannot view where you have been (unless of course it's a work phone and they have enough initiative to go to the cell service provider and see if they can get logs that way).
 
For the sake of my education, how can they? I know a little bit about networking so feel free to be technical about it.

Because every device has a unique ID. That ID can be traced back to your device. So i can look on my DCHP server and see that IP 192.168.1.1 is assigned to device (enter serial number).

I can then google that serial number to see what type of device it is at which point i can either block your device entirely from my network OR i can start monitoring your traffic and get more details so i can identify who you are (or simply walk around and see who has that type of device).
 
Because every device has a unique ID. That ID can be traced back to your device. So i can look on my DCHP server and see that IP 192.168.1.1 is assigned to device (enter serial number).

I can then google that serial number to see what type of device it is at which point i can either block your device entirely from my network OR i can start monitoring your traffic and get more details so i can identify who you are (or simply walk around and see who has that type of device).
Thanks! Great explanation! Now, I check those websites mostly through my Google Reader app on my iphone. Now, would they be able to monitor data coming through Google Reader?
 
Ya - it's not about the application you are using it's about your connection method. If you are on their network (wifi) they have the ability to monitor you.

Just turn wifi off and use the cellular network if you are worried.
 
If you're using the company wifi to look at anything, if they have a proxy caching device every image viewed on the network is cached. Part of my duties at my last job was scrolling through the squid cache looking for porn.
 
Back
Top Bottom