The work-from-home trend is here to stay. What started out as a temporary solution due to the Covid-19 pandemic evolved into a workplace revolution. Things are never going to be the same again and experts agree that remote work is here to stay. Being able to work remotely brings a long list of advantages to both employers and employees.
But there’s one thing that employers don’t really like about this new situation. They’re no longer able to keep an eye on their employees. That’s why many companies decided to install monitoring software on their employees’ computers. Keep on reading this guide to learn what signs to look for if you think your employer is monitoring your computer.
But first, if you’re wondering if Microsoft Teams can be used to spy on you, check out this handy guide to learn the answer.
How Do I Know if My Employer Is Monitoring My Computer?
Check Your Background Processes
If you’re on Windows 10, press the Alt + Ctrl + Del keys and open the Task Manager. Click on the Processes tab and check if there any known employee monitoring software running in the background.
If you use a MacBook, navigate to Utilities, and launch the Activity Monitor. These monitoring tools usually eat up a lot of CPU and RAM, and should be easy to spot.
However, keep in mind that your IT admin may have tweaked your system settings so as to hide the monitoring program. If the program is running in stealth mode, it won’t appear in the Task Manager or the list of installed programs.
Additionally, check your contract to see if your employer mentioned monitoring or tracking software anywhere. The presence of such a clause confirms that your employer has installed some sort of a monitoring program on your computer.
Other than that, there’s really no sure way to tell if your boss is spying on you.
Should there be a monitoring program running on your machine, don’t do anything. If you kill the process or uninstall the program, your IT admin will get an alert. Most likely, they’ll force start the program remotely and let your boss know about your deed as well.
How to Protect Your Privacy
If you’re using a computer owned by the company you’re working for, don’t try to install third-party tools to block the monitoring software. Your employer may get suspicious thinking you have something to hide and this could potentially lead to termination of employment.
Instead, make sure to tape your webcam (unless told otherwise), don’t keep personal files on your work computer, and don’t engage in non-work-related activities.
Conclusion
Your relation to your employer can sometimes be a tricky one. If you’re using a company-provided machine, assume they’re monitoring your actions to stay on the safe side. If you use the computer only for running work-related tasks, there’s nothing you should be worried about.
Do you like the idea of your employer monitoring your actions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Florence Foster says
Is it legal for a coworker that is not a supervisor to monitor you working remotely? I discovered it as I was signing off. My employer said he is relieving the supervisor after I asked, however, we weren’t informed of this
LLM says
At a former position, I was continually monitored and tracked at my desk both via remote viewing of my screen and a sensor that counted each time I left my chair. An administrator viewed each computer screen in our department at intervals. This administrator had no understanding of my job and little contact with my managers. She routinely talked to me about not being at my desk. My job required lengthy meetings with business personnel in their departments. She did not seem to understand that I had to leave my desk to go to meetings or interview a business user, and that this was integral to my role. She also had an issue with my productivity while I worked under a manager who failed to get me permission to access to the system I was supposed to be documenting. He actually failed to give me any task at all for weeks. I spent my time reviewing things on paper, literally. Then I would make the rounds in an attempt to find someone to give me access to the system. I would talk to other managers to try to get something to do. I was only given one small project which took a few days. When this ended, I was back to attempting to get permission to access the system. Meanwhile, the surveillance continued. The administrator who oversaw the surveillance did not seem to understand my situation. I did get access to the system eventually. I finished what I had been hired to document and managers and executive personnel I worked for loved the end product. They told me they would use it as a standard template for future projects in a large state agency. But the whole experience had stressed me out so badly, I found another job and left.
Fred says
If I found anything like this deployed on any of my personal devices not authorized for work use. It would be grounds for immediate resignation without notice and possible prosecution depending on data accessed without consent or authorization.
McStevenson says
This is not fair. It should not be like that. Trust is reciprocal
Linda says
If the company treats the employees like they don’t trust them then is not worth to work for a company like that
Fernando says
It’s my opinion that monitoring your employees without letting them know is like stabbing someone in the back. The employer has chosen to not trust the employee and then expect loyalty and hard work. I believe that the relationship between employers and employees should be based on trust until that trust is broken. Imagine starting a new relationship with someone and you find out a year into the relationship that your significant other used a tracking device to make sure you weren’t cheating on them. I understand that companies can monitor their employees whenever they want but they shouldn’t expect loyalty or respect from their employees if their not willing to do the same. They can’t track their employees 24/7 and employees are smart enough to figure out if they’re being tracked or not. Just my two cents worth.
Betty A. Jones says
This is my home personal computer and I do not work from home. . Therefore why is my machine beining monitered.
ABC says
Thanks.
Article is very well explained the things.
I was suspicious from many days about it and it comes true.
Regards,
ABC