"Too much 'work place' security" Topic

A few minutes a go I nipped downstairs. As I left the computer I tried to CTRL-ALT-DEL to lock it out…

If using windows WINDOWS+L should be quicker

TGhough no less silly

I tried going down the stairs the other day to get to the cafeteria. I was on the 5th floor, floors 2 and 3 required a badge to get in, the 4th floor was open. It didn't go to the ground floor and the first floor door was rigged with an alarm that would go off if you opened it.

So I ran back up to the 5th floor and took the elevator. They might spend a little less on health insurance coverage if they had a stair policy that made more sense.

At our place if anyone locks their PC then you know that they're on Facebook or a pr0n site or a Wargaming forum :-)

A company a friend of mine temped at was so concerned people might steal laptops that hey had them permanently attached to the desks.

Security came by and gave folks on our floor 'tickets' for violation of IT/Laptop Security Policy.

My solution is to have such a messy desk they can't find my laptop. Plus we have a neat little icon that locks the desktop, but only a few of us really use it. Therefore the IT cops have something to do.

It's really funny to see folks get mad about these 'tickets' even though they are only for awareness.

Damn- realised the original post didn't make sense. I'm on my HOME COMPUTER, and I tried to lock it out

Well Hussar, at least locking your home computer would keep your cat from hitting all the kitty p0rn sites while you're gone.

And selling the dog.

kitty p0rn

catsinsinks.com

My problem is the other way round – I set something up, by the time I want to use it it's either gone back to the log in screen or frozen.

My wife should lock her PC when away from the keyboard. The other day one of our small dogs walked across it and managed to hit the right keystrokes to turn the display round 90 degrees.

Although we knew where the options were, it took a long time to "steer" to them with everything turned sideways.

If using windows WINDOWS+L should be quicker

Ahh, cool, thanks for that!

Why is locking a work station silly, though? ESpecially if you are data entering sensitive information such as

hugely expensive transactions;

tests on hazardous materials (radioisotopes, chemicals, etc);

personnel information for self or other employees

?

My environment (maintenance organization in a university) is not quite like that (though I've had to make major adjustments to my systems to ensure people's privacy is not being violated), but I would think especially where information such as the above examples is being handled that companies might get a bit paranoid. Even if there are worries about someone stealing info from a co-worker to steal identity.

I mean, while no one likes to think such a thing is possible with their own co-workers, look how we handle another piece of relatively ancient technology – wallets and the money and ids there. You don't (or shouldn't) get up from your desk and leave your wallet there in plain view. It's just too much of a temptation. Perhaps computer and information technology is getting to this point as well. I suppose if you think of it that way, the requirement to locks one's PC makes a little more sense?
--
Tim

I'm on my HOME COMPUTER, and I tried to lock it out

Geez, I'm confused, LH – what is this post about again? I figured you were mad because you had to lock out your computer. Now I'm just confused as usual….
--
Tim

Ditto- at work (both this and my former job) we are supposed to lock out the computer if we leave it. This is because of the government info we have access to, and so if someone accesses/changes info illegally under my name, I would catch hell for it- even if I could prove it wasn't me.

Of course at home I don't have to do that (unless TMP is now covered by the official secrets act), but force of habit made be try to.

I've done the CTRL-ALT-DEL thing at home too.

Now have you ever picked up the home phone and dialed "9" to get an outside line?

…and answered it and introduced myself formally! (surprised my mum!)

Now have you ever picked up the home phone and dialed "9" to get an outside line?

Ha! guilty, your honour!

My favourite that has had my wife and I laughing our rear ends off and is now part of our wargame group's "cultural lore" (you know, along with great tales of might and unexpected victories and silly moves, etc). This happened for two of my friends calling me about games or whatever.

Wife and I come home and the message on the phone goes (keep in mind I'm "Tim" and my friend calling is "John": John, this is Tim, what's happening tonight?"
--
Tim

At a place I used to work the BOFH would change the Desktop for any user that left his computer unlocked and unattended. I will not give details about the pics he would put in, I will just quote South Park: "What the is wrong with German people".

As to phones, I have frequently answered my private phone with my name and company.