this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2024
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Stop using work devices for personal business
Sure, people should not use their work computer for personal use.
However, I would say the majority of people absolutely do use it for occasional personal use. Checking your personal email at work? Googling driving directions to the dentist? Using the pdf editor to fill out a form? Searching for a flight during your lunch break? I would say everyone I see at work does this, and I would bet that when they take their laptop home they would not hesitate to boot it up for personal use. And the people working remotely I would wager use it even more.
I'm not saying it's right, but I do think using a completely separate SSD and OS is way more responsible from a security perspective.
Simple question: what would your employer say if you asked them?
My contract has a standard "no using company computers for personal business" clause. However I feel entirely confident that my employer doesn't mind me using it to do personal errands using the web browser (on my own time). And I know they have no problem with me using Zoom or Teams to join meetings for non-work things in the evening. How do I know this? Because I asked them...
I've never asked them "can I install a new hard drive in my laptop, install an OS I downloaded off the internet, and boot into that OS to do things which I'd rather you not be able to track like you could on the main OS". But I'm completely confident I'd know what the answer would be if I did ask.
If you think installing a new SSD etc. is acceptable, ask them. If you're not asking them because you're worried they'd say "no", then don't do it.
Try asking them instead if you can use your laptop to look up directions to the dentist on Google Maps. See if you get the same answer.