Company offers fully remote work in exchange for 24/7 monitoring of all home network traffic: 'Why would a company even want to bother with this?'

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  • 01
    "Friend's company wants to monitor her home network usage..."
  • 02
    A friend recently came to me for advice on what to do. The company she works for is offering some of it's lower-tier employees the ability to work from home. (I'm guessing instead of giving actual raises?)
  • 03
    The caveat is that she would have to sign a document allowing them to install their own configured wifi router and monitor ALL of her home network traffic, all the time.
  • 04
    As someone who works in IT, this is sketchy at best, total ☐ at the most likely. They could configure the router to restrict, but 24/7 monitoring? Why would a company even want to bother with this? It stinks of "Well, we offered you WFH, you said no, and now you get nothing" propaganda...... Thoughts?
  • 05
    cl8855 18 hr. ago I'm in IT security, no way would I want to expose my company to all the privacy and risk issues this raises.
  • 06
    ItsAlby 17 hr. ago 20 years IT. I physically cringed when I read this.
  • 07
    Pandread 19 hr. ago Just when you think you've heard it all. The fact that they even think this is reasonable or a good idea speaks volumes.
  • 08
    Spiel Foss 19 hr. ago It stinks of "Well, we offered you WFH, you said no, and now you get nothing" propaganda This is exactly what is going on. The question is who will pay for the internet access? If the company pays for the ISP, then unplugging them at the end of the work day and using your own provider would be the best route if WFH is necessary. If they aren't paying for the ISP, then
  • 09
    Froyn 18 hr. ago I'm down for it. Provided it is connected to an internet connection that is paid for by the company.
  • 10
    Meaning: I currently have my own ISP that I currently use through my own network configuration. The company will pay for the monthly fee and installation fees of a second internet line for their sole use. They're welcome to monitor that connection as much as they wish as they are paying for it.
  • 11
    "My network configuration does not support the use of an additional router/hardware."
  • 12
    Turinggirl 19 hr. ago No nope nope no way in Had one job who tried that. VLAN isolated it and they got p☐d. Quit the next day.
  • 13
    DataDump 19 hr. ago She could just use their router when she's working, then as soon as she's off the clock, unplug their and use her own the rest of the time
  • 14
    ArioftheWild OP. 19 hr. ago I suggested that.... But they require that to be the only router being used. I've advised her to leave the company asap....
  • 15
    mobileJay77 19 hr. ago No way to monitor all traffic exclusively. Me and wife have some WFH, if I told my company their traffic is monitored by wife's company, hilarity ensues.
  • 16
    Besides whatever I do outside of work is none of company's business. I even use my own laptop next to company's.
  • 17
    Either confront them and tell them where they can shove this solution. Or be silent and share WiFi with your neighbour. But make sure to soak up big traffic over the monitored network. Downloads, streaming etc.
  • 18
    Gwubbulous 19 hr. ago You could monitor network usage with a router that's possible but it's only gonna give data amounts and times. I wouldn't do it though. Any company that wants your data usage has something else in mind

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