To start of, I’m not a tech person in the least. I work remotely for an insurance company. I don’t do anything on my work computer that I wouldn’t want my employer to know about. However, I do notice that when I Google something on my work computer, I immediately start getting ads for the product on my personal iPhone (they are on the same Wi-Fi, but I’ve never plugged any personal devices into my laptop). I’m curious how this happens and whether my employer may be able to see other things my family does at home. Are there any things I should or shouldn’t do to protect my privacy?
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I think you are accidentally asking two questions: can your work laptop spy on you (and report back to my employer what I’m doing)? And: can Google connect what I do on my work laptop to what I do on my personal iPhone? The answer to both is yes.
Yes, employers can and do install software to monitor what you do. Many employers, for example, install software to block certain kinds of web sites like those with porn or known malware. They may also log every web site you visit. There have been news reports of employers installing key loggers – everything you type gets reported to your employer. They can do this, and it is probably legal.
Yes, Google can EASILY connect what you do on your work laptop to what you do on your phone. Especially if you log in when using Google’s services. Being on the same wifi will also do. The ability of Google to uniquely identify you, even when you use different devices, cannot be overstated. It is technically trivial. Assume that if you use Google on a device for any length of time Google will know it’s you.
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