Laptop Access: Logged?

ucd_guy

Hi

Just wondering if computing services actively monitor URL's of student laptops? For example if I were to hypothetically look at some porn over my WiFi connection, would I be done for it?

I'm sure some people look at porn over the UCD net. What's the story with getting caught? Hypothetically, of course.

Red Alert

Ok, a few quick facts here:

You don't get asked for a username and password when you start up internet explorer, so the user isn't logged against the request by the proxy server. The IP address does however.

The IP address is given out by a DHCP server, which together with a thing known as a "Managed Switch", matches your MAC-Address (which is a special serial number of each computer) with the IP address it gives you.

So possibly, you could be matched to your PC. AFAIK Computer Services don't monitor those logs...
but....

you shouldn't be looking at porn anyway

ucd_guy

Hmmm. I see.

I wonder has anyone ever heard of anyone being done for this?

And I'm sure there has to be people in Glenomena, etc looking up "questionable" sites on a nightly basis!

Mr.Nice Guy

ucd_guy wrote:

Hmmm. I see.

I wonder has anyone ever heard of anyone being done for this?

What did you do,exactly?Be honest!

PaddyofNine

Mr.Nice Guy wrote:

What did you do,exactly?Be honest!

We're all interested in this thread, ucd_guy!

uberwolf

enquiring with two different users. LOL

Capt'n Midnight

Red Alert wrote:

The IP address is given out by a DHCP server, which together with a thing known as a "Managed Switch", matches your MAC-Address (which is a special serial number of each computer) with the IP address it gives you.

So possibly, you could be matched to your PC. AFAIK Computer Services don't monitor those logs.

Just to confirm that , they have your MAC address, and I'd be shocked if they didn't log the IP address of the sites visited by the IP address you've visited ( It is it a legal requirement now ? ) While they may not monitor, I'd be fairly sure they could go back through the logs if the Guards asked nicely.

elvis2002

you could always use the IP address of the websites your visiting which would result in something like 133.22.12.44 showing up in the logs instead of some pr0n site.

Red Alert

use the command "nslookup www.sitename.com" from the DOS prompt. this will return you the IP of the site.

mind_problems

Hi ive got a wi-fi connection in the college and 'could' also be interested in looking up some porn but if they are able to find out the IP address or MAC address of your laptop can they still actually trace the laptop to you?

Duffman

If you're caught looking up porn etc. on college machines there will probably be sanctions as you're in breach of the Acceptable Use Policy. You agree to this when you log in on any machine on campus and I presume they make you sign something when you register a laptop for use on the network.

Just looked at it and the policy states:

"Any user of University computer resources is deemed to have made him/herself aware of these policies."

Now it's easy to see how you could be deemed to have actual or constructive knowledge of the agreement as a user in the above situations.

But what about all the laptops (including my own) that have access to the network having never registered, having never agreed to the AUP?

In a situation where you simply plug in and have access it's difficult to see how you can be deemed to have constructive knowledge of what this policy contains. I think it might be more difficult to impose sanctions if you were caught doing something you shouldn't have been in these circumstances.

Red Alert

you must be staff/postgrad then?

Duffman

Nope, lowly student.

themole

when you registered as a student you agreed to be bound by the college regulations in pretty much all situations. exam regulations etc, this would also prob cover computer usage