I am currently working in Wisconsin, I have my first, secure (full time job) and I recently got this email from my boss:
Quote:Hello All ?
It is that time again for me to update the shelter staff password list. We do this routinely, so that in the event there is an emergency where we might need to have access into your voice mail or computer, we can gain access by using your password.
¢ Please let me know if you have a password on your voice mail box. If so, what is it?
¢ Please let me know if you have any passwords on your computer, if so, what are they and for what? (Ex. password to turn on computer, password to wake up computer from hibernation, password protected documents, etc.)
Please send these to me or let me know if you don't have any passwords, by the end of this week. Thank you!
Is this legal? I know back a couple years ago my high school allocated us our passwords, and they knew them. But is this specific case legal. Why the Fu** should I have to supply them with my passwords. I'm soo pissed off right now. (I really really don't want to lose this job.)
So does anyone know if this is legal or not?
That is case, just as stated, for some reason they need to access your stuff...like if you were struck by lightning or called in sick or were fired and you had the only copy of the "big presentation" on your PC and the future of the company depended on it. I know it feels like an invasion of privacy, but they probably won't be monitoring your actions if that is what you are worried about. If there is an IT dept. anyone of them could access your stuff at any time anyway without the passwords. I wouldn't worry about it.
besides which who owns the computer, you or the company? most likely the company so they can do what they want as it is their property & not yours as you just use it.
I have friends in the IT world that would do this type of thing. They would tell new hires to never give out passwords to any one. Than randomlly they would test people by just plain out asking the staff for their passwords. They are expecting you not to give them your passwords. So, your situation sounds like one of my evil friends scheme to see if you will give up your password. I personally would ask a manager about this. Im not trying to get you mixed up. Just my two cents.
Agreed, this is a social engineering trick if i ever saw one.
go talk to the manager/boss/whoever, and inquire about this, and have them explain, if this IS real, what data it is exactly that they need.
This email you got can be interpreted very broadly.
