This decision may seem simple. It's your new job and they just gave you a brand new ThinkPad. You think it's perfect. I think it's time to get rid of my 10-year-old MacBook Air.
I've been there. More than half of workers use their work-issued devices to do personal tasks such as sending messages, shopping online and accessing social media. It is tempting to use your laptop at work as your sole laptop, not only for work but also for Netflixing and group chat messaging, reading fanfiction and paying bills. This is especially true for those who work remotely. It may seem like a simple way to simplify your life and save space. It may also be a cost-saving option.
I'm here to tell you the bad news. I beg you to stop doing that.
It is important to remember that IT can see everything you do on a work laptop. There are many tools that companies have at their disposal to monitor employees' devices. These include keyloggers and biometric tracking, geolocation, software to track web browsing, and software that tracks social media activity. More than half of all companies use some type of monitoring technology, and they have become more popular since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your company can also see your activities in company-run programs such as Slack or G-Suite Enterprise. What about the novel you've been working on at night? Slack messages complaining about your boss to co-workers? IT can see everything. IT can see all of that, even if you have separate accounts for these services. However, it is more likely that they will be mixed up if both are logged into the same computer.
Ryan Toohil, a 20-year veteran of IT, is now the CTO at Aura, a digital security company. It is the company's laptop. It is theirs. They own it.
Your activity is not the only thing your coworkers may be able see. They could also have access to any files you download. Although it might seem safe to save some photos and text messages on your work device, you'll need to wipe them off before giving it in. Some companies, such as Apple, won't allow you to wipe the device before giving it in. Even if you don't have such a policy at work, it is possible that your employer could fire or lay off you, or even cause your company to collapse.
These cases may allow you to transfer personal files from your computer before it is turned in. However, depending on the circumstances, you might be prevented from doing so. Toohil states that most companies will initiate an automated process to disable your access once you are let go.
Even if your company gives you plenty of notice, it is possible to move a lot of stuff off your work device during your tenure. IT can view everything that you do on the device. Toohil suggests that you might be going to work for a competitor. The audit trail will be extensive. They'll see that you have moved quite a lot of data from this laptop within the week you were gone. This opens you up to a lot of liability. You should at least spend some time explaining your actions. You may have taken some corporate information.
If things go wrong, there are many embarrassing options. Do you really want the text message from this woman about her pooping on her computer and sharing it with her bosses? This employee accidentally posted fetish porn on a company-wide group chat. This guy invited his boss to Zoom for his job interview. You don't want to mix work and pleasure using one device. One mistake in an email attachment, or one wrong copy/paste could result in embarrassing situations that could damage your relationships with your co-workers and even threaten your job.
It may seem like a cost-saving move to use your work laptop as your personal laptop, especially if you are one of the 51 per cent of US workers who work remotely at least part of the time. The good news is that a personal laptop does not have to be expensive, particularly if you only plan on using it for emailing, streaming Netflix, and tweeting. You can find some of the most powerful laptops for as low as $1,000, and you can get the best Chromebooks starting at $400 if you are open to Chrome OS. All of these devices have been tested by me, including the $299 Lenovo Chromebook Dutchable and the $389.99 Asus Chromebook detachable. I would not hesitate to use either one as my primary device. A $329.99 iPad is capable of handling most laptop tasks, even if you purchase a keyboard case. These budget laptops are very fast and well-made.
The price and features that you are looking for in a personal computer will determine what you get. This is a huge advantage of a personal laptop. You can customize the product to suit your preferences and needs in ways that an IT department might not be able. It is possible to look at specs such as the processor (a Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 should suffice for Netflix and web browsing), screen resolution (1080p unless you are very specific), storage, memory and weight. You will find the right combination for you.
Personal laptops can offer perks that are not available in an office notebook. Do you feel like playing some games? Buy a GPU. Are you an artist? You can get something with a stylus. You will need a tablet for your piano music. You can get a tablet with a removable screen. Do you like pretty lights? An RGB keyboard is a great option. You can customize the product with stickers, skins and decorations. If you wish, you can make it look completely absurd. You are the boss of your laptop!
Knowing that Slack notifications will not pop up gives you a sense of security.
Let me end with a personal note. Many remote workers have difficulty logging out. Many feel their professional and personal lives are more intertwined than with office access. It's harder to forget that work and leisure are now in the same place, so it's difficult to ignore the feeling that I should be working.
A personal laptop is a great option, according to my experience. If I'm not logged in to my email on my personal computer, I am less likely to look at it. There is a certain freedom that Slack notifications won't appear while I watch Succession, since Slack hasn't been installed on my Succession-watching gadget. Personal laptops are a good investment for your security and mental health. Get one.
Monica Chin/The Verge Photography
