Microsoft Security Essentials

[TWT]

I have a laptop provided by my employer.I am remote from HQ 100% of the time as I live 900kms away.I have a VPN account to read/write certain files on the company server.

The laptop has Microsoft Security Essentials installed and is administered by the sysadmin at HQ.

Does Microsoft Security Essentials have a feature that can be used by sysadmins to log internet URL's visited,even when I am not on the company network ?

And no,it's not because I browse 'dubious' websites,but because I may just need to use it to seek alternative employment in the future.

I am in the process of buying my own tablet for personal use,which will solve the dilemma,but in the meantime....

[Saab Dastard]

No, Microsoft Security Essentials does not track URLs visited.

The only information that is logged is a list of any threats found on your PC - and those will be local files, not where they came from.

SD

[papabravowhiskey]

VPN?

If you are using the VPN (perhaps inadvertantly) whilst browsing, won't the company's server have a record of the webpages that have been looked at?
I am asking rather than stating ...
PBW

[mixture]

TWT,

The rule is simple.

Don't want your company to read what you email ? Don't want your company to see what you browse ? Then don't use company infrastructure to do so.

Chances are they won't be monitoring you anyway (unless you are the subject of an internal investigation).... but you should assume you are.

[TWT]

Thankyou all for your replies,much appreciated.I only log onto the VPN for strictly work related tasks,then log out and go back to my ISP.PapaBravoWhiskey,you are correct.If I'm logged into the company server and I then open a browser,all my history is then logged on their server.

Saab,thanks for your answer,I was curious.

I came to the same conclusion as you Mixture,I will be acquiring a tablet forthwith for my personal use.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Saab Dastard]

The most common point of logging corporate internet usage is at the web proxy, where a log of URLs mapped to source IP address is maintained. There's then an audit trail to link users to sites visited.

SD

[Helix Von Smelix]

Hopefully your HQ has paid for the Microsoft Security Essentials. I think its only free for private use, or may be less than 10 users.

[TWT]

Yes Helix,all paid for,our company isn't in the habit of using dodgy means to acquire multiple user software in my experience.