Using a public computer to
check your e-mail, bank accounts and travel arrangements may be more convenient
than lugging around a laptop. But it's also more risky. PCs are conveniently
located at Internet cafes, airports, hotel business centers and other public
places. Unfortunately, unscrupulous people target them in an attempt to hijack
your sensitive information. To reduce your risk, consider these safety tips:
1. Don't let the computer save
your login information.
Some
operating systems can save your user name and password. Click "No" if
a pop-up box offers this option. Some web browsers record this information
anyway, so before you start surfing, disable this feature.
2. Erase
your tracks
Internet Explorer also keeps a
record of your passwords and every page you visit, even after you’ve closed
them and logged out.
a. Disable this feature that stores passwords
a. Disable this feature that stores passwords
Before you go to the Web, turn off the Internet Explorer feature that “remembers” your passwords.
b. Delete your temporary Internet files and your history
When you finish your use of a public computer, you can help protect your private information by deleting your temporary Internet files. For information on how to delete temporary Internet files on Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8, see Delete temporary Internet files.
3 . Scope out the snoops.
Look
around to see if anyone is watching you. This is particularly important if you
are accessing a password-protected account. Someone could be observing and
recording your access code.
4. Be
wary of accessing your private data.
Doing online banking, stock trades and other financial transactions is
not a good idea. so keep in mind that an industrious thief might have installed
sophisticated software on the public computer that records every keystroke and
then emails that information back to the thief. Then it doesn't matter
if you haven't saved your information or if you've erased your tracks. They
still have access to this information.
If you really want to be safe, avoid typing your credit card number or
any other financial or otherwise sensitive information into any public
computer.
5. Consider
fellow surfers.
Avoid opening suspicious
e-mail attachments or downloading software. Don't do anything
that may potentially infect the computer and cause problems for the next user.
6. Logout.
If you've accessed a website that requires a
login (for instance, your e-mail or bank account), make sure to log out by
clicking the appropriate link (usually locate at the top right of the page)
7. Close
the web browser.
For extra protection,
close all browser windows and any other programs that may be running.
