monitoring software--pixel logging?

[aluminumdisc]

I am an independent contractor renting an office from someone for whom I do some consulting work. I’m a technical writer by training and seem to be the only person there who knows how to get past the Start menu on Windows, so I end up doing minor computer stuff every once in a while. While trying to fix someone’s printer, I came to suspect that there is a lot of monitoring software on the workstations. Then I found that my own computer (a personal laptop), which has never been formally connected to the network except to use Internet access, had been made a member of the workgroup and had had documents logged to the server. (Fortunately, they were boring ones.) I installed a new firewall software, which helpfully informed me every time my computer connected to the network (both through LAN and wireless) but wouldn’t let me unlist the network as “trusted.”

Here are my questions:

–Given that I am not an employee of this organization, is there any right to monitor my computer activities, beyond Internet use?

–What role can peripherals like printers and smart phones have in connectivity? The printer I was using when my computer linked to the network without my knowledge is designed for network use–am I better off with an old, used printer with no wireless capabilities if I want my documents to stay private?

–I looked through all of my TCP/IP settings and through the settings of all of my devices. My video display kept defaulting to multiple monitors, and in the registry settings, I found something called “pixel logging” that had been enabled. How exactly does that work, could it be used as a part of monitoring, and is it possible to disable it?

My work for this office is medical and healthcare policy related, and I also work (from this office) for a couple of other large companies in other industries. I don’t want any possibility of ever revealing a draft document or letting a completed one get in the hands of someone who hasn’t commissioned it. Can you help?

Thanks for any info–

[Patty_O_Furniture]

I am an independent contractor renting an office from someone for whom I do some consulting work. <snip> I am not an employee of this organization[.]

I’m not sure I understand. The company employs you via a contract vehicle, so you DO work for them under the terms of the contract.
Does the contract contain any language that permits them to put software on your personal computer?

If not, then I don’t think they have a right to place monitoring software on your personal laptop but they certainly can inspect any traffic that passes over their network infrastructure. I do it often, when I suspect that a contractor is wasting time watching You Tube or leaving early while billing for a full day. But it takes a good deal of time and effort and I don’t want to do it unless I’m forced.

Given that I am not an employee of this organization, is there any right to monitor my computer activities, beyond Internet use?

I’d say yes. They are paying for your time and productivity. Whether you are an FTE or contractor doesn’t matter.

What role can peripherals like printers and smart phones have in connectivity?

If it’s a network printer then your jobs have to traverse the network to reach it and that traffic can be sniffed. Jobs might also be stored on a print server without your knowledge.

My work for this office is medical and healthcare policy related, and I also work (from this office) for a couple of other large companies in other industries. I don’t want any possibility of ever revealing a draft document or letting a completed one get in the hands of someone who hasn’t commissioned it.

In this situation I’d suggest an MOU between you and the office owner outlining your expectations of client confidentiality.