Question about spying...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thalador Du'Fosnee
  • Start date Start date
T

Thalador Du'Fosnee

I am an ex-network guy and was told something interesting today at my real
estate office. I was told that the former IT person setup the network,
running Win2000 Server, to copy all the files off all of the clients
computers WITHOUT the users knowledge. So, I had a couple of questions..

1. Is this possible without any kind of backup software?

2. What are the legalities of this? We are all independent contractors, so
the computers are not the property of the office.

Any help would be appreciated.

Scott
 
Hi Scott,
This is not likley. System files that are in use cannot be copied off a
system without some type of Open File Agent on the client.

In any case this is a tricky question and completley depends on the
scenerio, if you are all on the same network in a workgroup, then NO, this
is even more unlikley BUT, if you are not using general security guidelines
then it is possible for someone to get alot of information off your system.
For example if you don't use strong passwords, worst case scenerio, you
leave your Administrator account with No password, or password as the
password. I think you know what I mean. In anycase it wouldn't take a
Windows 2000 Server to get files, anyone could with any OS that could make
an SMB connection.

Second, if the 2000 Server was put in place to create a domain, then you
joined your system to that domain, well the second you join the domain you
gave the Domain Admins group the Adminstrators Rigths on you local system.
At that point , they have access to all your files.

Best bets, keep strong passwords, keep up to date with the Critical
Updates, and don't join your personal system to domain if you don't know or
trust the domain admins.

If you would like to read up more on this type of information and how to
make your system secure I suggest the following sites.
http://www.microsoft.com/security
For Home\personal systems
http://www.microsoft.com/security/home

If you follow some very basic guidelines you'll can prevent this type of
problem.


Thank you,

Alan Wood[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
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