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I'm about to work with a company on a development project, but they first need to set up a pretty complicated environment, and suggested they use VPN to work on my machine to do this. Should I be concerned that somebody can just watch me work? It would be embarrassing, if somebody could witness my work habits (e.g. Asking questions on SO and researching all day is part of my daily work regiment, and makes me feel like a noob, but it keeps me sharp. I also listen to conspiracy videos all day, and RadioLab podcasts, :). Is VPN going to introduce this possibility, and if so, is there a way around it?
EDIT: Also, is there a way I can always tell when somebody is VPNed into my computer?
Does "... suggested they use VPN to work on my machine to do this" mean you would enable VPN on your machine and allow them to access it? And if so, would that be one time, for them to do some other kind of setup for you? Or does it mean they set up you machine to all VPN access to their network? In the latter case, they could probably monitor you in whatever ways they monitor their own employees' use of their network. – JRobert – 2010-12-26T18:20:11.790
@JRober - I'm not sure which version they'd do. They said their server admins would setup my environment. I assume this means so that they can install the software they need to get a development environment working correctly. In either case (this, or the network monitoring, etc) will they be able to see the things I do on my computer? Note: I'm remote so I'm not using their network to access the internet, if that's what you're referring to. – orokusaki – 2010-12-26T18:25:20.913
When in doubt don't do anything on your work PC you would not want anyone to see. Yes productivity monitoring is becoming popular with many companies, not actually spying on every little thing you do but monitor your activities on the corporate network, which can harvest a profile of what you spend your time on. Just do your job and don't waste corporate time and there will be no problems. – Moab – 2010-12-26T19:32:22.450
@Moab - I don't waste time, but I prefer for the company to not know anything I do. I'm a contractor, not an employee. Also, I won't be working on their internet. Does this network monitoring still apply? – orokusaki – 2010-12-26T19:34:43.033
If you VPN into their network, they can packet log/sniff everything you do, sifting through this log/packets is a chore but there is probably software to do that for them if they are so inclined. I seriously doubt they will allocate resources to do this. No way to know for sure. Since you are a contractor you can ask then for a reasonable explanation/description of what they are installing/configuring on your PC, then others can answer more appropriately. – Moab – 2010-12-26T19:39:35.033
@Moab - can they do this "sifting", even if I am working remotely (not accessing anything on their network)? – orokusaki – 2010-12-26T19:46:22.763
1If you VPN into their network from anywhere, Yes, otherwise no. – Moab – 2010-12-26T19:54:27.593
Get a second computer for use with them and other companies you do contract work with. Keep your personal computer, your personal computer. Problem solved. Resource segregation, what peace of mind... A VPN connection is to protect their system from the outside world, it's a normal part of telecommuting for any business that plans on staying fully functional in today's security climate. – Fiasco Labs – 2012-01-09T02:39:41.907