200,000 Employees’ Personal Data at Risk in WorkComposer S3 Mishap
A whopping 21 million snapshots in a single accessible storage. WorkComposer, a system for monitoring workplaces, is facing backlash this week for storing confidential information without any protection.
A whopping 21 million snapshots in a single accessible storage. WorkComposer, a system for monitoring workplaces, is facing backlash this week for storing confidential information without any protection. The unfortunate company gathered more than 21 million snapshots from 200,000 users’ work computer screens—and placed them in an open Amazon Web Services S3 container. Cybercriminals could have effortlessly pilfered company secrets—as well as personal ones. In today’s edition of SB Blogwatch, it’s truly hard to fathom.
Your unassuming blogwatcher collected these fascinating blog posts for your enjoyment. And not forgetting: ADHD.
Avoid the term ‘Spyware’
What’s going on? Paulina Okunytė discloses: App for monitoring employees exposes 21 million snapshots“Ignored basic security practices”Your supervisor monitoring your screen is just the beginning of the problem. Others may also be peeking. [We] have discovered a significant privacy breach involving WorkComposer, an employee monitoring app utilized by over 200,000 individuals.…The app, created to monitor productivity by recording activities and taking periodic snapshots of employees’ screens, left over 21 million images vulnerable in an unsecured Amazon S3 bucket, revealing how employees spend their day. [These images] are highly sensitive, as millions of snapshots from employees’ devices could divulge full-screen views of emails, internal discussions, and confidential business records, in addition to login screens, passwords, API keys, and other confidential details. … WorkComposer is among several tools for tracking time that have become part of contemporary work environments. Advertising as a method to ensure team accountability, this software records keystrokes, monitors the duration spent on each application, and captures desktop snapshots every few minutes. … Time-tracking tools are already in a morally ambiguous zone. … The exposure highlights the peril when fundamental security measures are overlooked: [It] transforms everyday work practices into a treasure trove for cyber offenders.
Is it still accessible? Amber Bouman elucidates: 21 million staff screenshots disclosed“Dubious ethical landscape”Even though the company did secure access after being notified, …the information was openly accessible to anyone with an internet connection in real-time. [The] screenshots … could be exploited not only to target businesses but also for identity theft, taking control of employee accounts, or causing further breaches. …Companies using WorkComposer might now face potential violations of the EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or U.S. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) along with other legal consequences. … Considering that employees have no say in what monitoring tools might capture during their work hours, whether it’s private chats, confidential assignments, or even medical details, there’s already a contentious ethical ground surrounding monitoring tools.
Is it disputable? Sead Fadilpašić repeats: Application leaks 21 million snapshots of numerous users“Numerous companies lack full comprehension”WorkComposer essentially serves as a surveillance tool developed mainly for remote employees, enabling superiors and managers to monitor their employees’ activities. It records working hours, application usage, and importantly, captures snapshots every 20 seconds. …These snapshots reveal the tasks employees are engaged in at any given moment, which might involve confidential [data]. Unprotected, or inadequately safeguarded databases are among the leading causes of data breaches. …Security experts are cautioning that many companies don’t fully comprehend the notion of “shared responsibility” concerning cloud security. What is the actual value of privacy at work? ScamMerica opines:Besides the invasion of privacy, this appears to pose a significant security peril for the organizations utilizing the service. Who knows what confidential business information could be visible onscreen when those images are taken? This is also the type of vulnerability that Chinese state actors exploit with American companies. …I’d also advise against logging into any personal accounts with sensitive details on your work device or even your personal phone or computer using their network. The organizations themselves are not trustworthy, nor their other employees, or external services. Why are incidents with unsecured S3 containers still happening? DarkOx despairs:How ancient is this product? In the past, it was much simpler to make S3 containers publicly accessible. …What’s considerably indefensible here is the most rudimentary security check: [Even] a completely automated CIS Benchmark assessment—click a button—should have detected public permissions on a container. But why do organizations monitor their workers like this? Because, blurts Bumbum:Due to a small number of bad individuals spoiling it for everyone and causing issues for all.Because middle managers must rationalize their pitiful existence. Because heaven forbid I take 5 minutes of company time to take a break from my workstation to relax or stretch. Because executives relish having authority over their underpaid, desperate subordinates. Need I go on?The Peter Principle is evidently true, I suppose. drnb summarizes:One can assume it’s due to the rise of remote work. Assessing progress toward a goal would necessitate a manager who is highly competent in evaluating the effort required for a task, staying in frequent contact with an employee to be aware of any unexpected issues hindering completion, possibly aiding in resolving those issues, and so on. …It would require management to perform a considerable amount of work to stay informed and up-to-date and be of assistance. An app that reports how many hours a day someone is using a mouse or typing on a keyboard is much simpler. …Actual metrics or progress are challenging to obtain. Why can’t bosses have faith in their employees? “Human nature is the cause,” says Abner:There are workers who are unreliable, and there are managers who are obsessed with control. Reasonableness is as rare as “common” sense. What is this situation reminding me of? RitchCraft hits the nail on the head:Just wait. This will ultimately happen with Microsoft Recall—on a much larger scale. Meanwhile, @MikeBalroop provides a meta-commentary:I am currently reading this article at work—when I should be working. And Finally:Agency for Defense against Hallucinatory Disruptions[embedded content]Hat tip: Pompey Monkey, who suggests playing it loud enough to annoy the neighbors.Previously in And FinallyYou have been reading SB Blogwatch by Richi Jennings. Richi handpicks the most intriguing blog posts, top-notch forums, and eccentric websites—so you don’t have to. Negative messages can be directed to @RiCHi, @richij, @[email protected], @richi.bsky.social, or [email protected]. Gaze at a laser with your remaining eye at your own risk. Omissions excepted. 30.Image credit: From Marwool (via Unsplash; leveled and cropped)
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