I think it should be made clear at this point: If you're a federal employee, you should consider your work devices bugged. If you've logged into personal stuff on those devices, you should consider suspending or deleting the accounts you accessed.
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Unfortunately if the software is on the local machine a VPN won't do anything. Using a different device though will. Best bet is to segment the work machine on the network and turn it off when it does not need to be in use. With that said VPN use is never a bad idea in general.
Yes I didn’t mean using a vpn on your work device; I meant using it on your personal device as an added layer of protection. Even personal devices are not completely safe. Also, never use workplace WiFi. That’s another area of compromise.
Agree, I would go so far to say work place devices on work place internet only. Network traffic monitoring is a thing and we have no idea what type of software is being used.
Some of these kids who couldn’t bring themselves to vote for “the lesser of 2 evils” are too young to remember that there even was and East Germany, let alone how the Stasi surveillance operated. 🙄
That’s a serious and unsettling reality. Government employees should always assume their work devices are monitored, but if things have escalated to potential surveillance beyond normal oversight, it’s worth taking extra precautions. Stay safe and protect your privacy.
Once upon a time when I was in state government we were told how great it would be to put work apps on our personal phones. Not a single high level IT person did it when we scanned what was happening on the device. Continues tracking of activity and location.
This also goes for internal chat programs such as Teams, Zoom and Slack Etc......There is a good chance they will be running keyword search on these logfiles (All chats are logged) looking for DEI or anti Trump sentiment.
I think it should be made clear at this point: if you use a basically commercial computer, software and system, you should consider your traffic and activity logged and recorded.
Consider buying a Faraday bag for every device your employer has access to that has a camera or a microphone. When your work day is done, shut the device down and put it in the bag.
Also, if you can, find the IT guy who has a cot in the server room and ask him for any tips on what alternatives to Google and other cloud-based services are out there.
Remember, if your device has an active google account on it, consider whatever you say, do or type on it to be under observation.
Definitely. Some people have apps installed on their phones. I insisted on getting a work phone. If you have stuff on a personal device, delete it. Despite conspiracy theorists watching too much Bourne Identity, we are actually really shit at IT.
And if you are taxpayer… what do the rest of us do?
If this was a security breach or cyber attack at a corporate level & PII was leaked; there would be retribution & some form of restitution. It’s time for the populace to file a class action.
if you did personal stuff on your government computer, tablet, or phone take the buyout offer. Otherwise, they will fire you for cause tomorrow or next week.
I think we all should check our credit reports (make sure you freeze your credit on all 3 bureaus) because we are ALL going to be affected ! In fact I just got a letter that my Dr. office that my data was breached on Nov. 16th. It may be a coincidence, but its very suspect.
TRUMP NEEDS TO RESIGN OR FACE ANOTHER IMPEACHMENT WHEN WE TAKE BACK THE HOUSE AND SENATE. THIS TIME I HOPE PRESIDENT ELON AND DON THE CON GRIFTERS GET JAILED.
Just a general comment - if you logged on to anything from a device belonging to your employer, or over your employer's network, you should consider it monitored.
You have no expectation of privacy at work. Not in your desk, not in your locker, not on your computer or phone.
And if you have used your personal device to access your work email, etc., they can get access to your personal devices as it was used for work. Be careful.
Doesn't every person know that already know that already? In most European countries government employees sign a contract agreeing to that before they're employed. No country wants its' network contaminated by idiots. Dumb MF
I understand most people wouldn't have a choice. Consider sticking with your mobile carrier connection and not connecting to home wifi, or perhaps a hotspot or second ISP for just work-related connections. Maybe explore simple VLANs. I learned all of this the hard way - I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
If you wanna know about the surveillance on your phone, lets find out together. I do privacy research.
Personally, I would want to know.
and there’s always / Reset to Factory. Change all PWs. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2kF8usV/
https://www.fiverr.com/s/Eg25Kpd I made a Fiverr post about just because I can be specific about what I do. I am a researcher. I am a privacy advocate. I bring the sunlight.
Plus...Guess what Trump just did. Fired the Chairman of the board at The Kennedy Center in DC (and others) Guess who he named as the new Chairman of the Board?
Himself!!!! I hope they all SUE for wrongful discharge. Truth social post. As reported by...Mary Trump. About an hour ago.
It's not necessarily a huge thing, but when you do it, you are exposing your credentials and information to whatever monitoring and logging the device owner might have in place. Not doing that is like regularly washing your hands, good hygiene.
My phrasing is bad in the first response. If you consider checking the weather to be personally sensitive business, then no you shouldn't do it on the work computer. But I don't think checking the weather is particularly sensitive, so it isn't something I would worry about.
You should consider your personal devices bugged. You should always have considered your personal devices bugged. Did you read the TOS you agreed to when you set it up?
So this is what it feels like to live under the thumb of an autocrat and oligarchs. It's dystopian. Observation: At this point, normal functions of life are still ongoing, for me at least, but there's a general heightened stress level that makes you question everything you say, do and write.
94% of American federal employees have choices other than their work devices, according to our independent TUP/Technology User Profile August 2024 survey.
Also as a State, County/Parish, City employee, you should also consider "your" device "bugged" .... or you know call it what it is, you employer is covering their collective asses.
If you have an iPhone, Apple just paired with Starlink. But having worked in tech for a long time, note if you're online, you have zero privacy despite what you might see in T&Cs. We're already all being watched.
Well America certainly isn't "great again" but she sure seems to be leaning towards fascism! Elections have consequences. Saying YES to chaos, crazy, corruption, criminality and cultism has consequences. I doubt America will be a democracy four years from now.... So upset with majority of voters!
They are all already using signal. Which is what the entire 1st trump administration… Completely breaking all the laws that we have against this. So hell, yeah fight fire with fire.
Honestly, I suspect the dog-boys are absolutely performing theater reading their lines about cutting waste, while they loot federal govt servers for intellectual property such as NOAA weather models, and personal data, which is incredibly lucrative on the dark web, particularly for crypto lovers
I feel like a federal employee that didn’t assume this when they took a job has no business working for the fed. Do I want my social security number in the hands of someone logged into their personal Twitter account on a federal device? Maybe not.
The thing is there. EVERY person should consider all their company provided equipment bugged. I work for one of the largest cybersecurity firms in the world with Fortune 500 and gov clients. Half the products we sell are admin side nannyware to track what is going on with users equipment
If you use MS Teams, or slack, or jabber, the admins can see literally everything you, chats, emails, web history. If you have any products from McAfee, Proofpoint, Kaspersky it's not just virus scanning. They will have an entire enterprise suite that includes DLP which tracks and records EVERYTHING
Even if it's encrypted. You have your private key locally but the encryption server admin has the RSA public key and can unlock it. Companies have to be able to unlock it for discovery in case of subpoenas. Anything more than a mom and pop shop, everything is being logged and can be easily searched
Elon Musk is a ketamine addicted sociopath, and he’s instilled a culture of fear wherever he goes. No one working for the US Federal Government is safe from a Trump/Musk purge, or attacks on them for not being white, male, Christian. You have been warned.
there is quite a difference between your computer being monitored and bugged. I know nothing i do on my work computer is private. But i also assume that my computer isn’t listening in on me when im logged off for the day. HUGE difference
Now is a great time to realize that any and everyone that has publicly criticized either of the two main assholes; is on a list, actively monitored for keywords. Yes, you.
If Anyone has the slightest feeling their phone may be
compromised, by all means, remove the battery (It can be turned on remotely even if off) & then use a burner ONLY for all personal everything
I'd like to know how the GOPs in Congress explain to themselves that what's happening is not fascist. Reporters need to grill them, make them squirm. Congress is being derelict in its duty to rein this in and is now complicit in everything that happens. And they know it.
Now is the time to bug THEIR offices and infiltrate THEIR computers, install a few in-plain-view cameras. How the turntables...😏. (Don't get caught.) Sabotage, my friends. 🇨🇦
Being bugged on work devices has been known for some time, and for government as well as corporate employees.
What’s different now is who is doing the surveillance and how it may be used against employees.
Use a different device.
Yeah, real similar to what a business does isn’t it? Your computer is bugged you’re tracked while you’re logged onto your computer or sometimes personal device just like in a real world huh fucking shocking.
Actually, every time a Federal employee signs into their Government issued device, they are notified that everything they see or do is tracked by the Government. Some personal use was permitted, like checking your personal email, but it should be limited. Now? I would delete everything I could.
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Consistently. At every press conference.
Trump spouts something.
Reporter: "What does President Musk think of that?"
"have you discussed this xyz issue with Herr/Furher Elon Musk and if so, has he given you permission to move forward?
Catch them all. Get the entire collection!
It's Bobba time!
Thiel (Palantir) another Apartheid Australian in Trumps admin is in the weapons game.
#MAGA =
#MakeApartheidGreatAgain
Remember, if your device has an active google account on it, consider whatever you say, do or type on it to be under observation.
If this was a security breach or cyber attack at a corporate level & PII was leaked; there would be retribution & some form of restitution. It’s time for the populace to file a class action.
It's likely everywhere.
You have no expectation of privacy at work. Not in your desk, not in your locker, not on your computer or phone.
It's called the law.
The sooner they 'go dark' the better...the tradeoff of tradecraft to do it more finely doesn't outweigh what they might get collected in the meantime.
"Thx! I have believed that since I started. Lol! Never use it for my personal accounts. "
Personally, I would want to know.
and there’s always / Reset to Factory. Change all PWs.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2kF8usV/
Himself!!!! I hope they all SUE for wrongful discharge. Truth social post. As reported by...Mary Trump. About an hour ago.
Sincerely me.
We are all being surveilled on some level
I will bet they hacked starlink, upload to bibi
Microsoft Endpoint Manager gives you an EGREGIOUS amount of control on user’s devices.
I work there
We got your backs 👏
compromised, by all means, remove the battery (It can be turned on remotely even if off) & then use a burner ONLY for all personal everything
What’s different now is who is doing the surveillance and how it may be used against employees.
Use a different device.
You have no expectation of privacy, other than the organization's own secrets.
And you know whose work devices, and IT access identities, have thus been most compromised, back-doored and "bugged"?
That would be, "the identities of Elon Musk's cadre of hot-shot little 20-somethings, at the U.S. Treasury."
Don't take MY word for it. Just ask the Russian Mafia.