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Although newer LCD screens make this technique
more difficult, there are other methods for avoiding
the office's wandering eyes when it comes to surfing
the web.
As an actively disengaged member of the work force, I often find myself on the Internet searching for anything to make the day go by. As a result, I'm constantly searching for ways to hide the fact that I spend the better part of my day surfing the web. The eight methods below will help prevent wandering eyes in your own office from discovering your affection for the interweb:
1. 3M privacy filters - Although effective, the 3M privacy filter is like slapping a Post-It note (also 3M) on your back that says "I might surf for porn today". Unless you truly are surfing porn while at work, you might want to avoid this option.
2. Reducing the brightness level of your monitor - A more inconspicuous option than the privacy filter, adjusting the brightness level of your monitor can be very effective. You can usually adjust it to a point where others walking by can't catch a good glimpse and it buys you a couple extra seconds if someone does enter your cube.
3. Find the optimal "private angle" of your laptop or monitor - Every laptop or monitor has a sweet spot where, if you lean back in your own chair, you can still see your monitor just fine. It's nearly impossible for others to view your screen if used in combination with the brightness level adjustment.
4. Minimize windows and view within confines of often used work software - There are many who lovingly use the minimized window technique. Yet, nearly 76% of them fail to follow through on the most important and logical second step which is to move that minimized window within the confines of software you use for work. For example, sliding your minimized browser into the Microsoft Outlook email preview pane is an effective method of taking a minimized screen to the next level. When coworkers or managers stop by, you simply click on an email from the top of the screen and the browser is relegated to the back seat. Your cube guest has no idea you were browsing the web within Outlook.
5. Physical location of your monitor within your cube - If you are allowed to reposition your monitor or laptop within your cube, don't just accept its default placement. It is more than likely that you can significantly reduce any chance of others viewing your screen by finding a more appropriate place for your monitor. However, placing your screen in the back corner of the cube facing away from all traffic might be a bigger red flag than 3M privacy film. Reposition wisely.
6. Perfecting the Alt-Tab technique - Well known among the effective slackers in the office, the Alt-Tab technique within windows allows you to quickly switch windows without the use of a mouse. The key to this technique is for your previous window to always be work related. This ensures your Alt-Tab maneuver gives off the appearance that you're working. There is nothing more disastrous than an Alt-Tab scenario that brings up a Flickr page of a guy dressed like an Army figurine. Perhaps there are scenarios worse than that, but I can't provide those links.
7. The buddy system - Using your work posse to help warn you of incoming managers and coworkers is an effective method to combat wandering eyes. Whether it's an audible "ca-caw", or perhaps an instant message online, it's important to devise a bulletproof method for quickly signaling an infiltration.
8. Fisheye security mirror - If it works to curb theft in convenient stores, it can also work wonders for your private web surfing. Placing a fisheye mirror in your cube can be effective as long as your able to keep it on the down low. Make sure to hide it within your cube so others aren't aware of its presence. This is easier said than done. One downfall to the fisheye mirror is frequent false alarms. You'll be Alt-Tabbing all day long.
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Cubicle 101 is a recurring article in Dudley B. Dawson's Life in the Cubicle column.
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Comments
What I need is like a tiny toy or something happens to have a mirror on it, any recommendations?
Great stuff as always, Booger. Gotta brush up on my Alt-Tab skills.
Wow. I so could've used this about 4 months or so ago...before I got canned when they did a mass lay-off... >.<
Instead of the fisheye mirror, just wear Highly Reflective Aviator Sunglasses, and when you get to work, place them on the top of your monitor. Works like a charm.
J - Good point on the sunglasses. That would work just as well as a fisheye mirror and deliver on the inconspicuousness you need.
You could also hang different types of mirrors all over your cube and claim you love collecting mirrors from all over the world.
Just wanted to say thanks for all of the insightful articles. I've always considered myself a top notch slacker over the years, but I still find I am learning a thing or two from your brilliant work. Have you considered writing a book?
Joey B. Slackin - Thanks for the compliments. I have considered writing a book. However, as you can probably determine from my articles, thoughts rarely turn into action.
Another option is a 3M Privacy Filter built into the computer monitor so it can not be removed. One is made by Man & Machine, called the Private Eye. www.man-machine.com
Great point on the mirrors. I have an antique mirror "strategically" angled to give me a great view of my cube entrance enven while I'm sitting with my side to the door. I just tell people I like antiques. Works like a charm.
I can't believe you all have jobs and I don't.
Dudley,
Alt Tab is great! I will use this all the time now.
I am a highly effectively slackers. I meet all of my managers expectations for the week in just a few hours. The other 36 hours I am surfing the web with my spidey-sense tuned into the vibrations of my manager walking toward my cube. I usually try to open enough internet explorer windows that the windows are forced to collapse on my toolbar so that she cannot see what windows I have opened.
If using this tactic, be careful not to let people see you're working on my resume.
Anyone hiring? : )
great and very useful tips, there is another tip that keep your task bar as "auto hide" so no one can see how many and about what you have opened the windows.
Switch off all graphics in your browser or use a text-only browser like lynx. Reading text online is a lot less suspicious than browsing colored pages stuffed with publicity.
Why not simply get a job with an internet porn site company, then all your gentleman's surfing activities are simply research on behalf of your employer? Getting paid to quite literally jerk off sounds like a (wet) dream job to me.
I discovered quite by accident that the shiny glass on my very wide poster of a beach scene is as good as a mirror, and more subtle. You really only need a motion detector, not a detailed image of the intruder.
More proof that Dudley is a shovenist. He discusses pornography like it's an afterthought that a male could not possibly watch porn. Perhaps not all men are as sick as you.
I've found a better solution to the ALT+Tab is to program one of the side buttons on your mouse to "Show Desktop", which minimizes all windows. It works best if you have a screen cap of a "busy" desktop as your wallpaper so it's not obvious that you're hiding windows.
Use several strategically placed picture frames with mirrored borders around them to detect rear motion. Cube intruders will admire pictures of the pooch while you are ALT-Tabbing away.
Sometimes i'll copy a website and paste it into an new composed email (plain text)...works like a charm!
WARNING: All office managers are well aware of what's going on if they walk into a cube and your left hand jets to the keyboard and the screen flashes...even if they didn't see the actual browser you were using. If you can, the tip above to assign a mouse button to Alt-Tab is the way to go....if that's impossible, then train yourself to hover over the SHOW DESKTOP button while browsing, and having a that screenshot of your working desktop as your background.
The risky thing is (that I found out the hard way) is that an observant office manager will check out your taskbar...only to see "eBAY", "Craigslist" or "bigjugz.com". Oh, but you smartly have 'Auto-hide the taskbar' set....you think. Well, what about when the chief asks you to pull up that email from HR....or it's the IT guy, come to install an Admin update and needs to use your station for a minute? So, another handy tip is to set your browser to MINIMIZE TO TRAY. This can be done with Firefox & Chrome using an add-on. Probably some way to do it on IE, too.
I've been using the Alt-Tab technique to escape detection (since what? WIN95?) I've unfortunately conditioned myself to hit ALT-Tab anytime a boss walks in....even if I'm doing legitimate work!
Also, if Alt-Tabbing, you should turn off the window minimize/maximize animation by:
Going to the control panel --> Performance & Maintenance --> System
Then click on advanced; there you will see an area that says performance, click on the settings button and uncheck the min/max animation.
This way, when you're manager sees you fumbling to minimize your browser...it disappears a split second faster, and in a less suspicious manner.
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