Laptop Privacy

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I'm a freshman at a small liberal arts college in the midwest and I'm having some issues with my roommate. We were randomly paired and for the most part we get along well.</p>

<p>The other day though she told me she used my laptop without my permission to open her project. She seemed to think this was a normal thing for roommates to do but I don't think so.</p>

<p>We've talked about it a little bit and she says she's sorry and I understand that. At the same time she violated my privacy and my trust. This makes me wonder what else she has used without my knowing.</p>

<p>Any suggestions about dealing with this? I've made an appointment to speak with a counselor in the counseling center so we'll see how that goes but I'm really not sure what to do.</p>

2

<p>If you’re like friends I dont see a problem with it.</p>

<p>I lived in a dorm last year and this year I moved out with 3 other friends this year. We all use each other’s stuff all the time.</p>

3

<p>Put a password on your computer. Sometimes roommates do share things, it’s not that weird, but sometimes they don’t. I understand where you’re coming from though, I would feel similarly. Just make sure she knows not to use your computer.</p>

4

<p>The thing is that we really weren’t friends. We were merely roommates and I didn’t choose to room with her, it was random. Is there not the expectation of privacy, especially with a laptop. She logged me out of my e-mail and then exited out of word while I had documents up.</p>

<p>Over the few months we’ve lived together she has frequently excluded me from meeting up with mutual friends and other social events.</p>

5

<p>I think you’re overreacting. Some people are just like that and need boundaries to be set explicitly. Now you’ve told her, she’s sorry, as long as it doesn’t happen again I would just let it go.</p>

6

<p>Different people have different expectations, so it’s best never to assume that others feel as you do.</p>

<p>For that reason, protect yourself by putting a password (that isn’t obvious) on your computer. Also, I’d keep any financial or otherwise personal papers in a locked drawer or suitcase. You don’t want to assume your roommate will steal anything, but you also need to remove any vulnerabilities.</p>

7

<p>At least she told you that she used your laptop. That makes me think she would tell you if she had used other things that belong to you…</p>

8

<p>This is why I have a password on my computer and the computer is almost always locked or in sleep mode if I’m not on it. I don’t let anybody use my computer, but me.</p>

9

<p>You’d fit in well with the guy that was told a white lie…</p>

<p>but seriously, just add a password to your account and then add a guest profile</p>

10

<p>Oh my mother of god why do I come on the college life forum.</p>

11

<p>Simple: Tell her that you don’t want her using your laptop without permission, and put a password on it.</p>

12

<p>It’s really your own fault. These are basic ground rules that you need to clarify right on moving day or even earlier if possible. I really don’t understand why you don’t put a password on your computer, that’s the first thing I would do if I moved in with a roommate.</p>

13

<p>I agree w/ “xnamelessx”…</p>

<p>At this point I don’t think there is any point to continue to be annoyed with her. She used it, she told you she used it and after that you told her you don’t want her touching your computer. I’m sure now you have it password protected and now you don’t have to worry about that.
You have a good roommate…she was honest with you and listened to you when you told her your issues with her using your computer.
But seriously you should have put a password up in the first place.</p>