Indeed and it's also possible it was someone else in the household who was looking at the porn rather than him personally.
I would have taken the approach of advising him to install an anti virus package ASAP that had web threat detection and leave it at that. Perhaps throw in a few tips about dealing with popups, keeping his browser up to date and always being cautious about installing anything on his computer. That's the most you can do really. It's good advice while avoiding any discussion about what websites he visits in his own personal time on his own personal computer. Especially discussion about websites that may be personally embarrassing to him.
As I said in my other post here, the main issue here is the support you're expected to give him rather than the websites he is visiting. I'm surprised anti virus hasn't been mentioned so far. Just recommend he installs the best package on the market and that should keep him happy.
Look, for the absolute thirty-trillionth time this is not the case - quite the opposite. I've actually got a bit of a reputation for arguing with stroppy managers (you get this all the time in my job - they always think they can take it out on you if they're having a bad day.)
The problem here is that I have already raised objections in writing and in person about this very issue.
That's why they're having this formal meeting "to discuss my attitude".
Shrinking violets don't get into that sort of trouble. Do you think the only place I can argue my case is a web forum?
if there is a formal meeting to discuss your attitude make sure a) that everything has been done prior to it and that everything was done formally.
b) I believe you should be able to have some independent support from the company.
c) stick the web browser history and the fact that the virus most likely came from those on the table and go from there.
The CEO is guilty of bullying at the least. This is clearly a HR matter and the OP should raise it within HR. However angry the CEO gets the chain of authority does not (is unlikely to) allow him to fire the OP directly.
I have spent a fair amount of time myself cleaning up other peoples' computers and it can be quite hard work. I have, however never come across an infected PC that had a decent Av program protecting it.
Suggestion:
1. Load the PC with Norton Internet Security or similar.
2. Print out a list (you have one?) of the dodgy sites visited and suggest that these may have been the cause of the infection.
3. Only deal with PC in work time with it brought into the office.
Porn itself is not an issue unless it is either paedo or "extreme" (see melonfarmers.co.uk)
Over and above the question of time spent out of normal working hours sorting out something which is personal, I would second all of the above. Being at his personal beck and call has probably evolved now into being an accepted part of your work-load
I would also write him a report with a copy available to the Head of IT if necessary, suggesting that
1. he needs to know about keeping security and anti virus programmes (as installed) up to date and to undertake to do this as part of his PC housekeeping regime - if he doesn't have them installed, this is one area where you may be called into question, but if you've been there 14 years I'd think it highly unlikely you haven't pointed this out to him before
2. if his home machines are used to access the company network, contrary to company rules, it is essential that everyone using those machines does so under their own personal log in and undertakes to avoid sites which are likely to contain malware, write examples of same. There's no need to actually mention pornography, the urls will probably speak for themselves
I think it's acceptable for any IT professional called upon to investigate and fix a computer to access its history, otherwise they wouldn't be doing a full job, just be careful who within the company you disclose this to and what you say about it
Point out to him that use of such potentially risky sites puts not only the computers at risk, which has already happened, but also shows up on company logs and threatens the network.
I always find the answer to dealing with people who are stroppy and unreasonable is to stay quiet, calm and very matter of fact.
Presumably someone has already pointed out that using a dedicated company laptop which was kept 'clean' would really be a big leap forward? I wonder if he'll ever give in on that one? and if not, why not?
c) stick the web browser history and the fact that the virus most likely came from those on the table and go from there.
I don't think this is very wise personally. There is no proof the virus came from said porn sites and there is no proof it was the guy in question who visited said porn sites.
Remember, the meeting is to discuss the OP's 'attitude'. Now I'm not suggesting he should just sit there and take it on the chin. By all means the OP needs to express his unhappiness with the support situation and what is being expected of him. He needs to state his case 100%. But unless the OP is personally accused of being responsible for the malware, then imho the porn site issue should remain off the table.
i do not think it's acceptable for a person called upon to fix a computer to go through the web history. any more than it is to read the emails.
it is unnecessary, diagnostically useless, a gross invasion of privacy and probably illegal.
Normally, I'd agree. I've never needed to do this before.
However, the issue was that the guy had demanded an explanation as to why his PC kept getting infected with malware. How could I have done this without checking the browsing history?
By the way, at the meeting today I decided to keep mum about the porn. I just took my lecture and promised to improve my attitude.
Afterwards, I spoke privately to the IT Manager about the porn. He thanked me for the information and told me that this had been 'dealt with'.
Unless you also had the opportunity to define exactly your role and responsibilities relating to unreasonable demands made by your CEO, it won't be the end of the story. The problems will just continue.
Unfortunately the lesson here is that management are always right and will back each other up, even when they are in the wrong. It's not fair, but it's the corporate world and even if they are congenital idiots no-one will ever tell them (emperor's new clothes syndrome). Once you reach your ceiling in a company, keep your head down, do what you're told and never point out that the management is a bunch of incompetant shysters who are over paid and actually hinder profit making, not facilitate it.
Normally, I'd agree. I've never needed to do this before.
However, the issue was that the guy had demanded an explanation as to why his PC kept getting infected with malware. How could I have done this without checking the browsing history?
i don't see that the fact that there is porn in his browser history has told you anything at all. Unless you have tested every site he visited. If porn = malware then pretty much every computer in the world would be infected. How were you able to eliminate that the virus was emailed to him?
It is close to impossible to passively pick up an infection with a fully up to date computer. So you should probably look in to that.
A quiet word in his ear that unless he stops giving you hassle, you'll reveal some of the sites he was surfing on might suffice If it was kiddie-porn then shop him straight away BTW
Unless you also had the opportunity to define exactly your role and responsibilities relating to unreasonable demands made by your CEO, it won't be the end of the story. The problems will just continue.
Exactly rather than just tugging your forelock and accepting it. You need to make sure that this "Boss" understands that it is unreasonable to call you at any time he feels like it and demand a instant fix of any PC problems.
By the way, at the meeting today I decided to keep mum about the porn. I just took my lecture and promised to improve my attitude.
Afterwards, I spoke privately to the IT Manager about the porn. He thanked me for the information and told me that this had been 'dealt with'.
... and you spoke to them about how you're unhappy that you're being treated as someones personal 24/7 help desk hotline? This was, after all, the main issue here, not the porn. That he keeps ringing you, keeps demanding of you, unfairly emails people being critical of you for a role you're not even supposed to be doing. Surely this was more important to raise than some porn sites?
... and you spoke to them about how you're unhappy that you're being treated as someones personal 24/7 help desk hotline? This was, after all, the main issue here, not the porn. That he keeps ringing you, keeps demanding of you, unfairly emails people being critical of you for a role you're not even supposed to be doing. Surely this was more important to raise than some porn sites?
^^^ This.
You have not addressed the real issue and sounds like you will still be at his beck and call.
Normally, I'd agree. I've never needed to do this before.
However, the issue was that the guy had demanded an explanation as to why his PC kept getting infected with malware. How could I have done this without checking the browsing history?
By the way, at the meeting today I decided to keep mum about the porn. I just took my lecture and promised to improve my attitude.
Afterwards, I spoke privately to the IT Manager about the porn. He thanked me for the information and told me that this had been 'dealt with'.
End of story I guess/hope.
Depending on how you feel obviously, are you not able to put in some kind of formal complaint to HR/IT Management? I understand if you don’t want to rock the boat and maybe in general, you don’t mind helping out of hours and on personal PC’s, in which case forget it.
But if the above does put you put, I do suggest at least bringing it up to HR. Otherwise it will keep happening?
Also, I have to add again, you say you told your IT Manager about the porn – did you mention any the other sites you found? Like I said before, a malware can come from any innocuous looking site so I am not sure why you singled out the porn. The other problem is the porn can be seen as a red herring, when it could be another site causing the issue. The only thing that needs stressing is the need for anti virus software.
In your shoes, I wouldn’t even mention that I’d looked at the history, I would have simply said the malware could have come from a number of innocuous looking sites and the only way to protect from future threat is to install anti virus software. There, nice and simple! The porn is irrelevant !
This all comes across as very passive aggressive. You don't sound like you have the wherewithal to just raise why you have a problem, instead you mention porn in order to embarrass him then go about telling other managers that the guy has porn on his home computer in the hope that this will discredit him in some way, although why it would is beyond me.
As you are working for a 'very large company', I assume they have some sort of IT department.
I'm also going to assume that you work for the IT department in some sort of help-desk role - I'm guessing the CEO isn't calling up the head of the packing department and asking for his help, and then cc'ing all other managers and demanding reports when he doesn't get it.
I have told them emphatically that I do not wish to take responsibility for senior managers' home PCs - and they have replied emphatically that I will do as I am told.
....they're pretty much right. It isn't up to you to decide which systems do and don't come under your remit.
If the CEO has identified you as his personal go-to guy for IT support, then that isn't necessarily a bad thing to have to grin and bear in the short term.
If your job really isn't involved in IT support, then you need to suggest that they are the better people to deal with the problems. In fact, I would have thought the IT department would insist on it.
As you are working for a 'very large company', I assume they have some sort of IT department.
I'm also going to assume that you work for the IT department in some sort of help-desk role - I'm guessing the CEO isn't calling up the head of the packing department and asking for his help, and then cc'ing all other managers and demanding reports when he doesn't get it.
In which case.....
....they're pretty much right. It isn't up to you to decide which systems do and don't come under your remit.
If the CEO has identified you as his personal go-to guy for IT support, then that isn't necessarily a bad thing to have to grin and bear in the short term.
If your job really isn't involved in IT support, then you need to suggest that they are the better people to deal with the problems. In fact, I would have thought the IT department would insist on it.
BIB yes fiar enough the CEO has decided that he is his personal IT support, but why should he have to put up immature rantings and throwing toys out of his pram just because he cant give an instantainious fix to a problem.
Also the CEO should take some resposibilty for what websites the family visit. (im not talking about the porn ones) You can get Malware of any website. Ive even got it from DS with an infected advert. I work with PC's and yes they are frustrating when they go wrong, but to dismiss the fact that visiting websites caused the malware and making out that OP caused it is out of order to me.
The CEO sounds like a retard, and I'm suprised he's a CEO. But I've known people like that before. People who think they are so high up that they are invisible.
I refuse to work for anyone like that out of principle. If I ever end up with a manager like that, I will challenge them on it, and let them try and fire me.
You sound like you're happy to be his bitch to be honest, which isn't a good thing in any job. Surely your principles tell you to walk away from this job?!
BIB yes fiar enough the CEO has decided that he is his personal IT support, but why should he have to put up immature rantings and throwing toys out of his pram just because he cant give an instantainious fix to a problem.
Also the CEO should take some resposibilty for what websites the family visit. (im not talking about the porn ones) You can get Malware of any website. Ive even got it from DS with an infected advert. I work with PC's and yes they are frustrating when they go wrong, but to dismiss the fact that visiting websites caused the malware and making out that OP caused it is out of order to me.
I don't think that anyone is seriously suggesting that the OP caused the problems. more that he has failed to prevent them from recurring by installing appropriate malware protection and ensuring that updates are enabled. and i agree with this assessment.
as you say you can get malware from any sites including DS, in theory, but at the same time you say the CEO should take responsibility for what sites people visit. these two ideas are completely contradictory.
i don't know if this is obvious or not but there is not a CEO in the country that when they have an IT problem, or an xbox, or sattelite tv problem doesn't call his own IT department rather than spending hours on the phone to a call center. They do this partly because they can but a good argument could also be made for saying that it would not be a good use of their time.
the porn is a complete red herring. the OP had no business diagnostically sifting through his bosses history any more than he would have sifting through his emails. It's diagnostically irrelevant. worse the OP appears to be tentatively thinking of blackmailing his boss.
all this comes down to is that the OP doesn't like the CEO. and wondered if he could leverage the 'man has porn shocker' situation to his advantage.
The CEO sounds like a retard, and I'm suprised he's a CEO. But I've known people like that before. People who think they are so high up that they are invisible.
I refuse to work for anyone like that out of principle. If I ever end up with a manager like that, I will challenge them on it, and let them try and fire me.
You sound like you're happy to be his bitch to be honest, which isn't a good thing in any job. Surely your principles tell you to walk away from this job?!
As you are working for a 'very large company', I assume they have some sort of IT department.
I'm also going to assume that you work for the IT department in some sort of help-desk role - I'm guessing the CEO isn't calling up the head of the packing department and asking for his help, and then cc'ing all other managers and demanding reports when he doesn't get it.
In which case.....
....they're pretty much right. It isn't up to you to decide which systems do and don't come under your remit.If the CEO has identified you as his personal go-to guy for IT support, then that isn't necessarily a bad thing to have to grin and bear in the short term.
If your job really isn't involved in IT support, then you need to suggest that they are the better people to deal with the problems. In fact, I would have thought the IT department would insist on it.
I guess it depends on the OP’s contract and job description but IMO that isn’t necessarily true.
How can someone take responsibility for someone’s personal PC other than the owner and manufacturers or company that actually built/configured the PC?
I work in IT for a large company yet we are not expected to help with people’s personal equipment at all. We try to help if we have time – but its not a priority and users realise we are not obliged to help at all.
Supporting personal equipment is tricky – how much control do we have over it, how much support can we give? Also if the equipment is under warranty the owners should be using this support available to them. And in any case, they should be grateful for any help given at all, not expect it and flounce.
And expecting support out of hours isnt on either, unless of course its in your contract!
Comments
I would have taken the approach of advising him to install an anti virus package ASAP that had web threat detection and leave it at that. Perhaps throw in a few tips about dealing with popups, keeping his browser up to date and always being cautious about installing anything on his computer. That's the most you can do really. It's good advice while avoiding any discussion about what websites he visits in his own personal time on his own personal computer. Especially discussion about websites that may be personally embarrassing to him.
As I said in my other post here, the main issue here is the support you're expected to give him rather than the websites he is visiting. I'm surprised anti virus hasn't been mentioned so far. Just recommend he installs the best package on the market and that should keep him happy.
if there is a formal meeting to discuss your attitude make sure a) that everything has been done prior to it and that everything was done formally.
b) I believe you should be able to have some independent support from the company.
c) stick the web browser history and the fact that the virus most likely came from those on the table and go from there.
Over and above the question of time spent out of normal working hours sorting out something which is personal, I would second all of the above. Being at his personal beck and call has probably evolved now into being an accepted part of your work-load
I would also write him a report with a copy available to the Head of IT if necessary, suggesting that
1. he needs to know about keeping security and anti virus programmes (as installed) up to date and to undertake to do this as part of his PC housekeeping regime - if he doesn't have them installed, this is one area where you may be called into question, but if you've been there 14 years I'd think it highly unlikely you haven't pointed this out to him before
2. if his home machines are used to access the company network, contrary to company rules, it is essential that everyone using those machines does so under their own personal log in and undertakes to avoid sites which are likely to contain malware, write examples of same. There's no need to actually mention pornography, the urls will probably speak for themselves
I think it's acceptable for any IT professional called upon to investigate and fix a computer to access its history, otherwise they wouldn't be doing a full job, just be careful who within the company you disclose this to and what you say about it
Point out to him that use of such potentially risky sites puts not only the computers at risk, which has already happened, but also shows up on company logs and threatens the network.
I always find the answer to dealing with people who are stroppy and unreasonable is to stay quiet, calm and very matter of fact.
Presumably someone has already pointed out that using a dedicated company laptop which was kept 'clean' would really be a big leap forward? I wonder if he'll ever give in on that one? and if not, why not?
it is unnecessary, diagnostically useless, a gross invasion of privacy and probably illegal.
I don't think this is very wise personally. There is no proof the virus came from said porn sites and there is no proof it was the guy in question who visited said porn sites.
Remember, the meeting is to discuss the OP's 'attitude'. Now I'm not suggesting he should just sit there and take it on the chin. By all means the OP needs to express his unhappiness with the support situation and what is being expected of him. He needs to state his case 100%. But unless the OP is personally accused of being responsible for the malware, then imho the porn site issue should remain off the table.
Normally, I'd agree. I've never needed to do this before.
However, the issue was that the guy had demanded an explanation as to why his PC kept getting infected with malware. How could I have done this without checking the browsing history?
By the way, at the meeting today I decided to keep mum about the porn. I just took my lecture and promised to improve my attitude.
Afterwards, I spoke privately to the IT Manager about the porn. He thanked me for the information and told me that this had been 'dealt with'.
End of story I guess/hope.
Why?
Its just going to keep happening, i would of let him have it!
Join a Union or something?
Bitter, moi?
It is close to impossible to passively pick up an infection with a fully up to date computer. So you should probably look in to that.
Exactly rather than just tugging your forelock and accepting it. You need to make sure that this "Boss" understands that it is unreasonable to call you at any time he feels like it and demand a instant fix of any PC problems.
... and you spoke to them about how you're unhappy that you're being treated as someones personal 24/7 help desk hotline? This was, after all, the main issue here, not the porn. That he keeps ringing you, keeps demanding of you, unfairly emails people being critical of you for a role you're not even supposed to be doing. Surely this was more important to raise than some porn sites?
^^^ This.
You have not addressed the real issue and sounds like you will still be at his beck and call.
Depending on how you feel obviously, are you not able to put in some kind of formal complaint to HR/IT Management? I understand if you don’t want to rock the boat and maybe in general, you don’t mind helping out of hours and on personal PC’s, in which case forget it.
But if the above does put you put, I do suggest at least bringing it up to HR. Otherwise it will keep happening?
Also, I have to add again, you say you told your IT Manager about the porn – did you mention any the other sites you found? Like I said before, a malware can come from any innocuous looking site so I am not sure why you singled out the porn. The other problem is the porn can be seen as a red herring, when it could be another site causing the issue. The only thing that needs stressing is the need for anti virus software.
In your shoes, I wouldn’t even mention that I’d looked at the history, I would have simply said the malware could have come from a number of innocuous looking sites and the only way to protect from future threat is to install anti virus software. There, nice and simple! The porn is irrelevant !
As you are working for a 'very large company', I assume they have some sort of IT department.
I'm also going to assume that you work for the IT department in some sort of help-desk role - I'm guessing the CEO isn't calling up the head of the packing department and asking for his help, and then cc'ing all other managers and demanding reports when he doesn't get it.
In which case.....
....they're pretty much right. It isn't up to you to decide which systems do and don't come under your remit.
If the CEO has identified you as his personal go-to guy for IT support, then that isn't necessarily a bad thing to have to grin and bear in the short term.
If your job really isn't involved in IT support, then you need to suggest that they are the better people to deal with the problems. In fact, I would have thought the IT department would insist on it.
BIB yes fiar enough the CEO has decided that he is his personal IT support, but why should he have to put up immature rantings and throwing toys out of his pram just because he cant give an instantainious fix to a problem.
Also the CEO should take some resposibilty for what websites the family visit. (im not talking about the porn ones) You can get Malware of any website. Ive even got it from DS with an infected advert. I work with PC's and yes they are frustrating when they go wrong, but to dismiss the fact that visiting websites caused the malware and making out that OP caused it is out of order to me.
I refuse to work for anyone like that out of principle. If I ever end up with a manager like that, I will challenge them on it, and let them try and fire me.
You sound like you're happy to be his bitch to be honest, which isn't a good thing in any job. Surely your principles tell you to walk away from this job?!
as you say you can get malware from any sites including DS, in theory, but at the same time you say the CEO should take responsibility for what sites people visit. these two ideas are completely contradictory.
i don't know if this is obvious or not but there is not a CEO in the country that when they have an IT problem, or an xbox, or sattelite tv problem doesn't call his own IT department rather than spending hours on the phone to a call center. They do this partly because they can but a good argument could also be made for saying that it would not be a good use of their time.
the porn is a complete red herring. the OP had no business diagnostically sifting through his bosses history any more than he would have sifting through his emails. It's diagnostically irrelevant. worse the OP appears to be tentatively thinking of blackmailing his boss.
all this comes down to is that the OP doesn't like the CEO. and wondered if he could leverage the 'man has porn shocker' situation to his advantage.
brilliant.
he sounds retarded? you have got to be joking.
I guess it depends on the OP’s contract and job description but IMO that isn’t necessarily true.
How can someone take responsibility for someone’s personal PC other than the owner and manufacturers or company that actually built/configured the PC?
I work in IT for a large company yet we are not expected to help with people’s personal equipment at all. We try to help if we have time – but its not a priority and users realise we are not obliged to help at all.
Supporting personal equipment is tricky – how much control do we have over it, how much support can we give? Also if the equipment is under warranty the owners should be using this support available to them. And in any case, they should be grateful for any help given at all, not expect it and flounce.
And expecting support out of hours isnt on either, unless of course its in your contract!
He's been there 14 years and doesn't have either, it seems.
The Op's boss yes, for treating people like that. It's a figure of speech, I don't actually mean he's retarded.
Sorted.