The work-from-home trend is here to stay. What started as a temporary solution due to the pandemic has evolved into a workplace revolution. The ability to work remotely offers a long list of benefits for both employers and employees. But what if your employer is monitoring what you're doing? If you're skeptical, here's how to tell if your employer is monitoring your computer.
The one thing employers don't like about this new normal is that they can no longer monitor their employees. That's why many companies have installed monitoring software on their employees' computers. Continue reading this guide to learn the signs to look for if you think your company has installed tracking software on your computer.
How to know if your computer is being monitored at work
There are some signs that you're being monitored at work that you can look out for. Here's how to detect employee monitoring software on your computer.
1. Check your background processes
in Windows 10 operating system, press Alt + Ctrl + Del keys andOpen the task managerClick on the Processes tab and check if any known employee monitoring software is running in the background.
If you find suspicious software, you can terminate the process and report it to your organization.
Are you using a Mac? Go to Utilities, launch Activity Monitor, find any process you didn't select, and press the Stop button to end it.
These monitoring tools typically consume a lot of CPU and RAM, so they should be easy to detect.
However, keep in mind that your IT administrator may have modified your system settings to hide the monitoring software. If the software is running in stealth mode, it won't appear in Task Manager or the list of installed programs.
2. Check for installation of unknown programs.
Go to the list of applications and programs installed on your computer. If you see a program you don't recognize or remember installing, it's best to uninstall it. It could be someone tracking your details.
However, some software can't be installed—especially if you're not using an administrator account. It's also possible that your company's IT department has blocked the software from being uninstalled. This is possible if your work machine was provided to you by your employer. If this is the case, you won't be able to uninstall the application unless you contact your IT department.
3. Check if your webcam light is on.
Most modern laptops have an LED indicator next to the webcam to show when it's active. If the LED is enabled, the webcam is in use. Check to see if any application or website you're running has access to your webcam. If not, there's likely a tracking or monitoring application running in the background.
The best way to address this is to get webcam cover Or place a piece of tape over your webcam to block video input. This way, even if your webcam is turned on remotely, there will be no camera feed, so your privacy won't be compromised.
How to protect your privacy
If you're using a company-owned computer, don't attempt to install third-party tools to block surveillance software. Your employer may suspect you have something to hide, which could lead to your termination.
Instead, don't keep personal files on your work computer, and don't engage in non-work-related activities. Limit it to your personal computer. This way, you have nothing to hide, and your privacy won't be violated because your employer won't be able to access your personal files. It's also recommended not to log into your personal email or social media accounts on your work computer.
Save yourself from prying eyes
Using all of the steps above, you can find out if your employer is monitoring your computer using one or more methods. While this may be a common practice in many companies, you may feel violated if someone else is constantly tracking your activities.
If you are uncomfortable with this practice, you can always talk to your employer. Also, check your employment contract to see if there is any clause that allows your employer to monitor your work.
