Can you watch porn on your work phone?

Not everyone will admit it, but many people are tempted to check out a spicy site or video on their work phone every now and then. We get that you are tempted sometimes, but let’s consider the privacy and security aspects involved. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to end up in an awkward situation with their boss.

What does your employer (or IT) actually see?

Let’s get straight to the point: yes, in many cases, your employer and the IT department have the possibility to track your online activity. This doesn’t mean that they constantly monitor every individual screen you open, but they may have access to general data of the sites you visit and the apps you use. So, if you think that you can get away with a quick peek on a spicy website, you might have to think again.

Is incognito mode really that safe?

But what about the famous incognito mode. Kind of sounds like the super hero of browser functions, right? Well, it’s true that incognito mode deletes your browser history and cookies as soon as you close the browser window. But – and here’s the tricky part – it doesn’t protect you if your employer or IT department uses more advanced technology to track your activities. So, although incognito is useful for your own privacy, it doesn’t completely protect you from prying eyes.

4G vs. Wi-Fi: what’s the difference?

Things get a bit more complicated here. If you use 4G, your internet traffic runs through the mobile network of your provider and it’s less likely that your employer or IT department can monitor your activities. But if you are connected to your office Wi-Fi network, it could be a different story. Many companies use sophisticated security systems on their Wi-Fi networks to monitor online activities of employees.

Invasion of privacy

In many cases, your employer can claim that monitoring online activity is necessary to guarantee the company’s network security and to prevent leaking of company information. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are entitled to every little detail of your online activities, but it’s a way to justify them spying on your every move.

Better safe than sorry

Even if you have a better internet subscription on your work phone, or if you can’t find your own cell phone at a certain time, it’s inadvisable to be lax and open that hot 18+ website on your work phone. Your work phone usually is connected to the company network, which means that your online activities are not completely private. If you wonder whether your work phone is a safe space for your ‘secret’ browser sessions, the answer probably is no. So, you better think twice before clicking that tempting link …