How to Prove If Your Employee is Doing Misdemeanor

In this sophisticated world, communication is done 99.999% via electronic devices, which are computers. From personal to corporate communications, from plain messages between workers to sophisticated codes of industrial intelligence-gathering or financial crime, computers are the equipment. Hence the optimum site to find proof of employee transgression in nearly all aspects is to examine his computer HDD. Whether it is a refurbished computer, a used computer or a new computer, remnants of what he did using the machine may be examined to determine whether he committed offenses or not. This field of post facto computer examnation is called computer forensics.

Every computer records all keystrokes done in the machine, since it should respond to them as instructions. This record is usually stored in the disk in various places though most may be routinely erased as part of the operating system function. An analysis of the computer disks would normally shows traces of these, especially the erased data that have not yet been overwritten by new inputs. Deletion of information in any program merely means the computer will not access it, but it does not perish unless overwritten, and may be accessed by specialized devices to reveal what was thought to be already gone.

There are two main reasons for computer forensics: when a leaving employee is construed of misbehavior in keeping company information confidential during his tenure; and if an employee is thought of underperformance, not using his full time to his work. In the first instance, the computer may be secretly examined after the person has left without anyone knowing; but in the latter instance, congtinual computer check-up is the only way to identify goldbricking employees without adversely affecting employee morale. Otherwise, spying on the employee will be the option, either through electronic devices or true spies.

Data obtainable by forensics devices include:

1. Records or parts of files that have been erased but not overwritten. As stated above, the magnetic arrangement for the information remains as is unless rearranged by new actions.

2. Roster of erased file titles even devoid of the files. This may show the use of unsanctioned or unofficial applications.

3. Websites opened, at any browser configurations, even if removed from browser history. Usually recorded in hidden files or unused disk space and readable in toto or remnants.

4. Accessed or copied Internet information or graphics. Same with the item above.

5. Non-standard applications or software utilized.

6. Residual information in the temporary files, saved or not. Usually what was being worked on most recently.

7. Hidden files or those guarded by keys. The applications used can open the passwords or proceed beyond them.

Corporate studies show that around 20% of employee computer time at work is used for activities not really connected to the work, and this is grossly unfair to the employer. Employee check is thus a way of ensuring correct employee performance, but there is also such a thing as employee esprit d’corps and right to discretion. The trick is getting and keeping a balance between the two rights, and computer forensics is simply a way to do it.