Can a work VPN see my traffic?

The Eye in the Ethernet: Can Your Work VPN See Your Traffic?

The allure of working from home, a coffee shop, or even poolside is undeniable. But as remote work becomes increasingly commonplace, the ubiquitous Work VPN (Virtual Private Network) raises a vital question: how much of your online activity is your employer seeing? The short, blunt answer is: likely, a lot.

While a VPN, in general, is designed to encrypt your traffic and provide a more secure connection, the crucial distinction lies in who controls the VPN. If you’re using a VPN provided by your employer on a device they own, you should operate under the assumption that your online activities are being monitored, or at the very least, can be monitored.

Think of it like this: your home internet connection acts as a public highway. A personal VPN encrypts your data and acts like an armored car, shielding your activities from prying eyes on that highway (like your ISP). However, your work VPN is like driving that armored car directly into your company’s parking garage. They own the parking garage, they own the surveillance cameras, and they know exactly who’s arriving and departing.

Here’s why your employer can likely see your traffic when you’re connected to their VPN:

• They Control the Server: The core function of a VPN is to route your internet traffic through a server. When using a work VPN, that server is owned and managed by your employer. They have complete control over the server’s configuration, logging capabilities, and security protocols. This allows them to track which websites you visit, the applications you use, and even the duration of your online sessions.

• Monitoring Software & Policies: Companies often install monitoring software on work devices, VPN or no VPN. Combined with the VPN connection, this creates a comprehensive picture of your online behavior. These policies are usually outlined in your employment contract or IT security documentation.

• Legitimate Business Reasons: While the idea of being watched can feel intrusive, employers often have legitimate business reasons for monitoring network activity. These reasons can include:

  • Security: Detecting and preventing malware, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity threats.
  • Compliance: Ensuring employees adhere to company policies and legal regulations.
  • Productivity: Monitoring resource usage and identifying potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement.
  • Data Security: Preventing unauthorized access to sensitive company data.

What does this mean for you?

Essentially, treat your work computer and the work VPN connection the same way you would behave while physically in the office. Don’t visit websites you wouldn’t want your boss to see, and avoid using personal applications that might violate company policy.

Important Considerations:

• Device Ownership Matters: The monitoring is significantly less likely if you’re using a personal device with a work VPN, but it’s still possible. Your employer might not be able to see everything you do on your personal device, but they can still potentially monitor the traffic that goes through their VPN server.

• Encryption Isn’t a Guarantee: While the VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN server, it’s decrypted at the server itself. Your employer, controlling the server, can access this decrypted data.

• “Split Tunneling” May Exist: Some VPN configurations offer “split tunneling,” which allows you to choose which traffic is routed through the VPN and which traffic goes directly to the internet. If split tunneling is enabled, you might be able to bypass the company’s monitoring by sending personal traffic directly. However, using split tunneling without explicit permission could violate company policy.

In conclusion, when connected to a company-provided VPN on a work computer, it’s prudent to assume your online activities are visible. Understanding this reality allows you to make informed decisions about your online behavior and protect yourself from potential policy violations. The best practice is to err on the side of caution and keep personal browsing separate from work activities.