Osquery can see details about the user accounts associated with your device, including which accounts have logged in recently. This is useful for IT and security teams to identify logins from suspicious accounts.
Osquery can see details about your device’s hardware. E.g., what processor is used, how much memory is installed, storage capacity, battery health, etc. This allows IT teams to preemptively address device health problems, which can mitigate data loss and reduce disruption to your workflow caused by IT related issues.
Osquery can access a detailed list of the software installed on your device. With this information, IT teams can better manage software update schedules, and reduce disruption to your workflow. Security teams can also use this data to determine if any of your software has been compromised, by referencing your software’s version number against known vulnerable software databases.
Osquery can access a list of processes running on your device. These are processes you interact with graphically i.e., opened software; and processes that are running tasks in the background, such as sending data over network connections, running backups, or scheduled auto-updates. IT and security teams can use osquery to view this list in order to detect suspicious activity that may be a threat to your system.
Osquery can see information about connected hardware devices. This is typically limited to only the type of hardware connected, and not specific details about the device. E.g., connected smartphones, USB devices, network devices, audio/visual hardware.
Osquery uses IP geolocation to provide an approximate location of your device. Accuracy of IP geolocation services vary depending on where you are, but can typically be pinpointed within the nearest state or city. Organizations typically use this feature to track stolen or misplaced devices, and in some cases to ensure the safety of employees.
In the case of a cyber attack, it is possible with osquery to gain read access to files on your system. This is not a feature designed for privacy invasion, but rather a means for security teams to locate files on your device that may have been created or affected by a malicious virus.
<p class="font-weight-bold">It’s important to be vigilant about the personal information you share on your devices.</p>
<p>If you are unsure, or still have concerns about your privacy, it’s a good idea to talk to your employer about your organization’s privacy policy, and how your personal information is handled.</p>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-not-to-do-on-your-work-computer/" target="_blank" class="d-inline-flex">Read about what not to do on your work computer</a>
