How Do I Hide My Internet History From My Employer?
Your employer might be reading this article with you! Your employer might be watching you right now, reading your email, and viewing your browsing history. If that’s true, how do you hide your internet history from your employer?
Hiding your browsing history from your employer is an uphill battle. The least you can do is browse incognito. The most you can do is use a VPN to obscure your connection. Either way, you can’t thoroughly evade employer surveillance, especially on a company-provided device.
The law isn’t on your side. Your employer has the legal powers to monitor all your internet activities during work hours. Yes, you can hide your internet history from your employer, but is it worth it?
What Does Your Employer Know About You?
Hiding your browsing history from your employer will be the least of your concerns when you know what else they know about you.
If you’re using a company-provided device, your employer is likely to know more than your browsing history.
Your Location
Yes, you can use a VPN to change your whereabouts. Thus, you can get your employer to think that your location is where you should be. That’s possible when you’re using a personal device.
When your employer gives you a laptop or mobile device, it’ll be hard to hide your internet history.
If you’re using a company-issued mobile number or email address, it’s near impossible to evade surveillance.
In other words, if your employer provides a SIM card, it’s possible to track your location. It’s even possible to access your call logs.
If you’re using a corporate VPN, your employer can access your internet history. They can even limit your access to some websites, applications, and services.
Memos, Emails, and Documents
When you’re connected to your employer’s Wi-Fi, they can access your internet history. They’ll know when you’re searching for a new job.
Even while using your personal email on your employer’s Wi-Fi or laptop, they’re monitoring incoming and outgoing emails. They might be taking periodic screenshots of your screen as well.
Your company’s laptop is potentially sending detailed reports of your internet activity without your permission. And they don’t need your consent. They have the legal right to watch everything you’re doing because that’s how they make sure you’re doing your job.
Instant Messaging History
If you use encrypted messaging apps on a company-provided device, they can still log your conversations.
Maybe they can’t see inside your messaging app, but they can still extract metadata that reveals what you’re doing and saying. In other words, they know when you’re encrypting your messages. Thus, they can ask you to stop using these apps on corporate devices.
Like, if you send large PDF files over these encrypted apps, your employer might investigate you. It’s a company policy that ensures that you don’t leak confidential documents to competitors.
Even when you’re using these apps for innocent purposes, you’ll get flagged for suspicious behavior.
How To Hide Your Browsing History From Your Employer?
It’s foolish to think you can hide your browsing history from your employer. In reality, many employees lost their jobs because they tried to circumvent employer surveillance.
However, you can still protect yourself while keeping your job.
The first thing to remember is to avoid using your work equipment for personal purposes. Your employer can sue you for myriad reasons if they detect foul play, even if your intention is good.
Check Out Company Policy
You’ve agreed to employer surveillance by taking the job. So, if you don’t like it, you can quit. If you care too much about your privacy, find a company that agrees with your views. Hint: Every company has a surveillance policy.
So, you need to establish boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable use of the company’s equipment. Understand how your company collects and uses your data and why.
By knowing your limits, you can use your company’s equipment correctly, protect your privacy, and do your best work.
Use Your Personal Devices And Connections
Using company devices for personal gain might be illegal in your state. Resist the temptation of using them for “free.” Nothing is free.
Your employer granted you access to these resources to use them for the company. Some might give you some wiggle room for personal use. Ultimately, you agreed to use these devices to do your work.
To be safe, use your personal laptop, mobile device, and Wi-fi connections to do your thing.
While working from home, the lines between work and play can blur. As a professional, you should know which device to use to what end.
It sounds like an additional financial burden, but it’s worth protecting your privacy from your employer.
Use Incognito Mode With VPN Extension
Don’t use your company’s network for any other purpose than doing your work. It’s non-negotiable. If you must connect to the internet, use Incognito or Private Browsing mode with a VPN extension.
It’ll not protect you, and your employer would still access your internet activity.
But, it’ll slightly minimize the amount of data your employer can collect from you. Again, it’s not fool-proof, and you should only use it when absolutely necessary.
Don’t Mix Work And Play
Assume that your employer has sufficient control over company-issued devices. Legally, you can’t do anything about it. Your employer has the legal upper hand in those scenarios.
They might even impose some limits on connecting personal devices to work networks. And they can still watch you.
If you must use company devices and networks for personal gain, get permission from your supervisor. Even when you’re using your personal devices and connections during work hours, you may need permission.
Your data security starts with you. And it’s always best to separate work and play. Otherwise, your employer won’t only investigate and fire you. They can sue you.
If you’re not yet convinced, consider that a hacker can break into the company’s network through your inappropriate use of the network resources.
Stay safe and separate between work and play.
