Safety Tips For Using a Public Computer

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

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.