Can people check your laptop history through using wi-fi?

Question

So... I've been thinking about it. We use laptop as a part of the learning process in our school, but you know the thing, once people get their hands on some sort of electronics, they just do whatever they want, to the point they don't even listen to the teacher's instructions.

So that's the case in our school. And obviously, we'd have wi-fi here, but school's wi-fi. And I was worried that if I wanted to go to some websites that I don't think the school will like, they can check it through using their wi-fi, I mean, we use wi-fi to use the internet and look at websites right? Then I think it sounds a bit logical to be able to use wi-fi to look at every user's history... Right?

Anyways, I just want to know the answer. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

If you're using a school owned laptop and the school's WiFi, the it's likely they have all the websites the students would normally use for their personal business blocked so there are no interruptions in school, and the less likely possibility that someone would bring a virus into the school's WiFi server and spread it around. The school has the capability to check each computer by the address to see if any rules have been broken. You can imagine what a mess the school would have if a virus was spread among a couple hundred computers. In many cases where a student goes against the school rules for blocked websites, the student can be severely reprimanded and sometimes even expelled. It most likely isn't worth taking a chance with your future to get on a restricted link while at school.

Answer 2

If it is a school laptop, then their are two ways they can monitor what sites you have been visiting while at school.



1) They may have installed usage logging software on the laptop, which sends back reports to the school. Where I used to work, they had similar software that recorded what sites were being visited. This will also work if you take the laptop home as it can report back next time it is on the school's network.



2) Since you are going through the school's network (it doesn't matter whether it is by Ethernet of WiFi), they can have a gateway to the Internet that logs information about what is going through it.



Having said that, the school should only be allowing access to authorised sites. If you can get there, then they haven't blocked it. Avoid using sites that you know they will object to, such as porn or illegal sites. If you visit those, you could really be asking for trouble. Also, watch how much time you spend on each site, and when you visit the sites. Spending time on non-educational sites during lessons/lectures is probably not a good idea.



I hope this helps.

Answer 3

If it's a Windows laptop owned by the school they can connect to \\computername\c$\users\[profile] and pretty much review the Internet history whether you are on wifi or wired.



They can also capture the MAC address and IP information as the computer queries a website and receives data.



They may have a content filtering app or proxy that would show websites visited.



The short is is yes if the conditions are right.

Answer 4

Since you are going through the school's network (it doesn't matter whether it is by Ethernet of WiFi), they can have a gateway to the Internet that logs information about what is going through it.



Having said that, the school should only be allowing access to authorized sites. If you can get there, then they haven't blocked it. Avoid using sites that you know they will object to, such as porn or illegal sites. If you visit those, you could really be asking for trouble. Proxy server and these log all actions and who did them.

We used to get a league table of who had downloaded most.

Answer 5

If you own the laptop install the latest Antivirus, anti spyware and a firewall, there are both free and paid versions.



If it is the schools laptop voice your concerns to the teacher, they may well decide and either protect it for you (most likely) or help you to protect it (good learning experience)



But dont worry, the idea of hackers everywhere isnt as scary as you think, you have no cc or banks to hide etc so dont worry.

Answer 6

yes

but they dont do it the way you think



they dont access your computer history cos they dont have to



EVERYTHING you do online is done via a network



With network management software you can monitor EVERYTHING on that network



That means they can monitor EVERY site you visit, EVERY search you do, EVERY bit of data you upload/download

Even worse for you - it can be done remotely by ANYONE who can access the network and has the necessary "permissions"



(i.e - There are companies set up that can be subcontracted to monitor a network (and if necessary track specified sites or searches) - so it dont have to be done by your school at all)



They do NOT do it via IP address they do it via MAC address. This is unique to EVERY bit of hardware on the network - AND its in every packet you send/receive, so using a VPN is useless. The DATA sent/received via a VPN is secure but the packet the data is IN is NOT

Answer 7

The school will be monitoring the use of the WiFi. The signal goes through their routers which will have logging and monitoring turned on.

The school can see every site you access - YES.

Answer 8

It is almost certain the school has a Proxy server and these log all actions and who did them.

We used to get a league table of who had downloaded most.

Answer 9

It does not matter whether you use wireless or wired connections, all your activity passes through the school routers and servers. And they need to see everything you do to protect THEIR network from idiots and criminals.

Answer 10

As long as somebody knows your public IP address than they can but if you can then you can change your public IP address by using a VPN

Answer 11

Yes if they can access your files.

Answer 12

yes

Answer 13

no