I'm considering installing Windows or Linux on an external SSD to use as my personal operating system on my work laptop. However, I'm worried about getting detected. My company has blocked a lot of self-hosting options including remote desktop, but since I often live in different places, I want to avoid buying a new laptop. Will I run into trouble with this setup?
3 Answers
If your company takes security seriously, they'll probably disable USB booting and restrict access to the BIOS, making this setup impractical. You might get away with using a live Linux USB if they're not on top of things, but that's a gamble.
There's definitely a risk here! Most companies have strict cybersecurity rules, and using personal software on work devices could lead to termination. It's often better to just invest in your own laptop instead of risking your income.
Honestly, I’d advise against it. If your laptop gets detected running an external OS, you could face serious consequences, like losing your job. If they notice you need recovery keys for encryption because of BitLocker, it raises red flags.

Even if you manage to boot from a USB, they might still have systems in place to monitor USB activity, so be careful!