university snooping into private internet history? legal?

[CCap]

Well, in accordance to American Law, you cannot identify somebody based off of their IP address which would be the only way that they would be able to get access to your history. (They could go deeper and look into the IPV4's but that would imply that you have a static IP and that your IPV4 doesn't consistently change)

 

The student [theoretically] could not be charged with anything since there isn't any sort of proof that says "hey you were on this computer looking up this information so you cheated and get a 0 on the quiz"

[Jaybird]

At Texas A&M the IT department monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic for security reasons. this also allows them to monitor who is doing illegal activity. granted they arent going to be the bad guy here unless its a large scale thing. but they will issue warnings to people if they continue to do illegal things. that said, they can very much know when you are taking a test and what other websites you are using to cheat. but the catch is is that you have to be on their network. 

 

 

Well, in accordance to American Law, you cannot identify somebody based off of their IP address which would be the only way that they would be able to get access to your history. (They could go deeper and look into the IPV4's but that would imply that you have a static IP and that your IPV4 doesn't consistently change)

 

The student [theoretically] could not be charged with anything since there isn't any sort of proof that says "hey you were on this computer looking up this information so you cheated and get a 0 on the quiz"

 

true, but if its a private network then the network owner has all rights to deny you access 

[clementk]

they can use Proxy to see what Computer goes to what Website

[NJM1112]

Pro tip-

 

Use tablet or second device as your dictionary.

 

If you're really paranoid use your phones 3G/4G internet so you're not on the same connection.

 

and there's always VPN's and encryptions

[TheProfosist]

from the way it sounds no i dont think so.

Then its very unlikly that they can unless something from them is installed or you have to do more than just log into a website to take a test. I think many of you are thinking way too big.

[Lyons]

Still, not too trustable for a test especially.

If the information is referenced I don't see a problem. Wikipedia entries are usually just pulled from other websites or books that'd you'd otherwise use for research just found via Google.

[EFD307]

I probably should have explained more, the tests are open book. but apparently that means you can just use your books not the internet. She doesn't need to "cheat" shes already got a biology degree she was just worried because she looked up what a word ment. Shes using her PERSONAL laptop at HOME. im not sure if she has to sign into a website to take the test but i would assume so. Im just trying to figure out how they could possibly be doing this. I like the cookie answer it makes sense but if i was in her position i would feel pretty violated that they look threw my history when im taking a test. I'd get a VPN and encrypt everything....or maybe just look at some really weird porn and troll the people monitoring me.

[Imaginaerum]

Still, not too trustable for a test especially.

Unless you're doing an on-demand 30 page thesis on your opinion of the best placement of military enforcement and why it would be beneficial to the regions and opposing forces in those areas, Wikipedia wouldn't hurt you. It has about as many mistakes as Encyclopedia Britannica, 2-3 an article, which are probably among the more opinionated aspects.

[WanderingFool]

Well in general I would say it is a scare tactic...and a good one at that.  It will prevent many less tech savvy people from actually doing it.

 

In terms of the rights...you do not have the right to privacy if lets say the test used an external program which the terms and conditions allow them to monitor your traffic (much like the VAC soaking up matching cheat urls).  If the test occurs in a web browser, it is very unlikely they could see that you accessed wikipedia.

 

With that said, it might also be "We will be able to tell if you used wikipedia" in the sense that your answers might be wrong/worded funny.  This actually happened in a few writing classes (teachers found the students who copy pasted/paraphrased from wikipedia)

[Buckley]

if youre using thier wifi, then yes it is legal. it goes hand and hand with downloading illegal files while using their network. if youre using your own connection (i.e. mobile hotspot) then no they cant and it would be illegal to do so.

[Real_PhillBert]

I had a history class try to claim this same thing. Scare tactic. 

 

It likely prevented a few people from using google, but when the class pressed the prof after the exam he admitted that they could not see anything you were doing on your pc. Its a bluff.

[CSX-2]

They take the tests at home online? I don't see how that prevents anyone from using a separate internet connection on a different device to cheat. Let's say they use one computer to take the test on the home internet connection. Then a tablet, phone, or a different laptop through someone else's wi-fi or 3g plan. How can the school tell then? This is just under the assmption of what they're saying is true. Though I have a hard time believing it.

[medhoover]

This can be done by an app , they can record what you type , your cam and of course your surfing ipn.

Java based apps do this usually, in fact this can be done by a simple addon to the browser.

Another thing hi guys, im new !! yeeey

[Misanthrope]

I think it's pretty stupid they allow people to take test from home to begin with and then get bent out of shape about cheating: Have people fucking come in for the test if you worry so damn much.