Damn Small Linux - Not!

john biles · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

Hello Everyone,
I have a question for experienced Linux Programmers / Users about using a Live CD at work and surfing the Internet.
Is it possible for a company to trace someone who has been surfing the internet at work as most of us do on a computer using a Live CD. Is there any evidence that someone has used a computer on the Windows network and is there evidence on that company's Windows Server to say a particular computer was used.

I myself feel that no evidence could be found on the computer that hosted the Live CD, but there may be evidence on the company's server.

At the moment I am at work and are allowed to use the internet and long as i don't go look at P*#R!
I have no need to look at P*#R at work as I can do that at home if I want to.
I am just interested Technically about how it all works. Wink

dougz · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 29

In the client (workstation), there is only the info in RAM. Power down and it is gone.

However, what about the DHCP server that gave your client the IP address? It likely logged the MAC address of the LAN adapter that requested the IP address. Therefore, the IT department can know, at any given time, what hardware is using what IP address, regardless of what software the client runs.

The enterprise firewall logs will record every site visited, along with the IP address requesting the info and the date/time.

So, any competent IT department can tell what hardware box was looking at what site, at any given time, regardless of what software the client runs or how it was booted.

Given the possibility of litigation for hostile work environment, sexual harrassment, industrial espionage, etc., you'd better believe that everything you do at work is logged.

And then there is the possibility of hardware key loggers on the client.

If you don't want your employer to know what you are doing, don't do it at work.

john biles · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

Hello Dougz,
Thank you for all the technical info and confirming what I expected.
As for using the computer at work, we are allowed during our lunch hour and I generally check this forum and Distrowatch while eating my Lunch.

I posted this question to confirm the technical side of things and my interest in how it all works. Very Happy