I've been working from home as a third-party loan processor, and for a while, my company has been asking us to install specific software on our personal computers. I chose not to because I have sensitive information on my device, including personal diaries, banking details, and passwords. I requested a work laptop but never received one. Now it seems like my Microsoft Outlook is acting strangely. The menu button isn't functioning, I can't compose new emails, and my default search engine has changed without my authorization. Additionally, my mouse and keyboard are lagging. I discovered that Chrome says I'm managed by my organization, which makes me suspect that they might have access to my computer without my consent. Is that even legal? I'm feeling really violated and want to know how I can confirm if they are monitoring my personal device and what steps I can take to stop any potential tracking. Also, any tips to fix my Outlook issues would be appreciated since I need it for my job.
8 Answers
Make sure to run a virus and malware scan. Sometimes if your browser switches search providers randomly, it could indicate a malware infection. You mentioned you have McAfee; you might want to see how effective it is in detecting threats.
You deserve better tech support! Keep fighting for a work laptop and document everything that’s happening because if problems arise, you’ll want a record of it. It’s concerning how they’re handling sensitive information without providing proper equipment.
Did you check your task manager for any unusual processes? If they’ve installed something, you may see it there. But if you didn’t install any software, your company shouldn't have access. Just make sure to keep an eye on your system's performance.
There have been plenty of reports about Outlook having issues after the latest Windows 11 updates, so it might not even be related to your company's actions at all.
Restarting your laptop can sometimes fix weird issues. Have you tried that yet?
Yeah, I've restarted several times today hoping it would help with Outlook.
If you didn’t agree to install any software, your employer shouldn’t be able to see your activity. You might be overthinking things because of your Outlook issues. It’s possible that you signed into something with your work email, which could have led to some policies being applied to your device, but that doesn't mean they’re spying on you.
Honestly, it sounds like there might be malware on your computer rather than your company tracking you. If your Windows account looks managed, that could be a sign. Consider reinstalling Windows to get rid of any potential issues and change your passwords too.
You should check which apps are set to start up when you boot your laptop. There may be something fishy running in the background. Also, ensure your antivirus is updated and scanning for potential threats.
Do you have any specific recommendations for scanning? I'm not sure how well McAfee works.