Can System Admin monitor my laptop if I plug it into the office's network connection?

Question

If I plug the network cable into my laptop and access the internet directly from that, is it possible for the system admin to monitor the websites that I use?

I have not had to install any software onto my laptop to do this, literally just plug the cable in from the office desktop into my laptop.

Answer 1

I would say that the sysadmin would be able to view what you've been browsing to as most shared internet access will go through a proxy server in the work place.  The proxy server will log every site, image, link and resource you visit amongst other functions such as blocking internet traffic and caching site content to allow for a faster web experience.

Ask your system administrator if you connect to the web via a proxy.  He/she should be able to answer a simple yes or no for you to know for sure.

Answer 2

In simple terms Yes and don't be fooled by the previous answer.

Answer 3

yes

Answer 4

Yes they can monitor you, but that doesn't mean they can tell who you are.

Unless you've registered your Mac address with them, then all they can see is a new IP address.

Since its a laptop your using its also likely that a different IP address will be assigned to you every time you connect your laptop.

Answer 5

Of course they can.