using internet at work/messenger

[Flolondon]

We are having a debate at work now...

(1)if someone is using the internet at work or using messenger -is it true that the messenger like yahoo or msn is stored on the computer some where. if so where could one delete it..apart from using tools and options to delete cookies and internet history, how else can one delete these things for good off the computer.

How can one stop the information being stored on the network server..?

[bcolflesh]

How can one stop the information being stored on the network server..?

Unless you are the Network admin - you can't.

In your situation, the best bet is to use an encrypted chat prog, like GAIM (enable encryption under Plugins) or it's ilk - or some web app with encrypted chatting functionality.

<edit>
Another good one:
[filetopia.org...]
</edit>

[choster]

More than that-- IMs have been ruled to be the same as written correspondence or e-mail messages in some industries. Your brokerage for instance is required to keep a copy of any IMs you exchange with them for at least three years. You can't have those communiques deleted, either.

[Flolondon]

ok thanks guys for that information.

But what about email say you are using yahoo or hotmail at work. Does the information you receive and send via yahoo also get stored on the network server at work if you are working for a company which has its own email address?

[vkaryl]

Well, where I work, the IT admin can see your emails BEFORE you download them from the server; once you delete them, he has no clue what they said.

However, our software etc. is fairly BTT. I would be willing to bet that mega-corps are more than able to save server-side in order to prevent deletion/hiding.

[txbakers]

One solution, which I implemented at my office, would be to have them install you an analog phone line, outside of the company network/firewall. If you are doing web work, you can justify this by saying you need to see what the client sees from outside the firewall.

Buy a cheap dialup service, and POOF - relative privacy. They can't monitor where you go or what you chat.

[ganderla]

I got fired for it. Be careful. I did not see any proof, but I am sure they had it. I was guilty.

[digitalv]

But what about email say you are using yahoo or hotmail at work. Does the information you receive and send via yahoo also get stored on the network server at work if you are working for a company which has its own email address?

Has the thought of simply NOT DOING IT crossed your mind?

Many employers log ALL network traffic, not just e-mails. If a proxy server is in use it can cache a copy of every page you visit so it can be viewed later. Just so you know, your BROWSER doesn't have to be configured to use a proxy server - this can be done by your network admin at the router (by redirecting all traffic through a proxy first) and you would never know.

Instead of trying to get away with stuff at work that you're not supposed to be doing, just do your job and leave that crap at home. Are your personal e-mails and instant messages really more important than your job? Use some common sense...

[HughMungus]

Actually, a lot of companies use messenger programs to improve productivity (vs. getting up to go see someone). Saves long distance charges, too.

But, at work, you should always assume you are being monitored.

[ganderla]

getting fired was the best thing that could ever happen to me. Now I own a business and work for me.