Expert: DebiN - 9/13/2009

Question
Hello I have an iPhone from my company I was wondering what they can and can't see when I'm out of the office and at my house using my wireless home dsl connection. Basicly can they see  what I'm looking at in safarI? Thanks

Answer
Your company does not have access to anything that comes or goes across your iPhone with the exception of your email, by default. If they have their Exchange Servers set up to capture your text messaging and web information, then they can see this information also, whether you are connected via WiFi or AT&T's network. Unlike what your company can view when you use your computer via your VPN connection (where they can see everything once you are on the VPN, but cannot when you are off and just via WiFi), with a SmartPhone, if you have an Enterprise Data Plan ($45.00 versus $30.00 and you can access your company email via the device by having coded your Exchange User ID and password and Server information, etc.), they can have access to all that you do on that device. Being on the AT&T network or through WiFi doesn't matter, the capture is through your Data Profile. It's an interesting question because I understand why you are asking it but since you don't log into the VPN when you use the device each time and it's your profile that associates you to the Exchange Server, you are still on the server whether on AT&T's network or WiFi and that's why the information is still available.

But here's the real story - it is HIGHLY unlikely that they are viewing or caring about what you are doing on your device via your Safari browser. If they wanted to limit you like they likely do on your computer, they have this ability and send their rules out to the mobile devices. I'm not aware of companies who do this, but they can. If you don't notice a difference in what you can and cannot view through Safari between going through AT&T's network or through WiFi, then you know that they are not limiting this. And if you can access a web site via your iPHone, but can't via your computer, then you know that the rules are not the same. Personally, I wouldn't worry about this. And remember also, that if you were in the office on their WiFi with your iPhone, it's the same as being at home on your own WiFi. Your company can't distinguish or control the WiFi's you are on.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this and I am happy to help. Thanks. DebiN