Wifi at work

[kool kat2]

Hope this is in the right section.

So I can get a wifi connection at work, near where all the computers and the server is. Our guy in charge of all that is pretty anal about his stuff so I would imagine he'd be ticked if he found out. Then than someone actually seeing a phone connected, is there a WY he might find out if any devices have connected or are?

 

[andruoid]

Hope this is in the right section.

So I can get a wifi connection at work, near where all the computers and the server is. Our guy in charge of all that is pretty anal about his stuff so I would imagine he'd be ticked if he found out. Then than someone actually seeing a phone connected, is there a WY he might find out if any devices have connected or are?

Seeing who is connected is easy. The Admin would just look at their router interface and see the IP assigned to you and more importantly your phone's MAC address. The first 3 octets in the MAC address can identify the device (who the vendor is, eg: HTC).

Being an admin he'd probably block the MAC addy for starters then depending on the companies policy that would determine what happens next. If you are caught, they'll wonder how you got the password to connect, why you are connecting, etc. If I liked my job I probably would stop and just use your provider's connection

 

[lunatic59]

Having unauthorized devices connecting to the company network is grounds for dismissal in our organization. Seeing as I am the sysadmin and get daily reports about network traffic and connections, I'd say there are dozens of ways your activity would be spotted. If you were working for me ... you wouldn't be working for me, if you know what I mean.

That said, if you company has no policy against it, why not just ask for permission? Although, unless you job required mobile internet access, I'd be concerned you were goofing off.

 

[johnlgalt]

Amazing how people think it is their right to be able to use company resources for personal use.

Most people think they should not use the company car and the company's gas for personal trips, but have no problem using the company's internet access to 1) play music, 2) listen to games, 3) check personal email, etc.

*Sigh* - glad you are a good sysadmin.

 

[lunatic59]

Amazing how people think it is their right to be able to use company resources for personal use.

Most people think they should not use the company car and the company's gas for personal trips, but have no problem using the company's internet access to 1) play music, 2) listen to games, 3) check personal email, etc.

*Sigh* - glad you are a good sysadmin.

I'm not a tyrant. And I don't own the company. The owner of the company is technologically challenged, which is why I have a job, but he is extremely business savvy. He doesn't condone goofing off or petty theft.

If an employee has a smartphone or personal laptop they want to connect to the company network, all i ask is that they ask first and let me see the device. I want to make sure that they have taken proper security/malware precautions and most importantly I want to review company policy with them so I know that they know what they are and are not allowed to do. I also like to show them that their activity will be monitored and any traffic in and out of their device can be reviewed.

We've only had one instance of a person being terminated for abusing the privilege. Most people are reasonable about it.

 

[Isthmus]

If you really must connect at work, do what my co-worker does. Go buy yourself a Mi-Fi transmitter. for $20 a month you can connect any device to it pretty much anywhere and you'll have no need to deal with the corporate network. You can do the same by tethering to your phone, but this way your phone remains free.

 

[kool kat2]

Thanks for the info everyone. I just connect during lunch for youtube and other things. Theres not much time for anything else. But seeing how its not password protected ill just ask if its ok.

 

[lunatic59]

Thanks for the info everyone. I just connect during lunch for youtube and other things. Theres not much time for anything else. But seeing how its not password protected ill just ask if its ok.

If they are running the WiFi wide open, then heck, it's free range internet. If your IT guy doesn't encrypt the Wireless connection, then I would doubt he monitors connections either. Still, asking is the best way to go.

 

[kool kat2]

If they are running the WiFi wide open, then heck, it's free range internet. If your IT guy doesn't encrypt the Wireless connection, then I would doubt he monitors connections either. Still, asking is the best way to go.

Thats what i figured. But i doubt they would go for the whole it was an open connection thing wich is why i was wondering. Hopefully theyre ok with it or else its back to a choppy 3g connection lol